Top Things to do in West Coast Region
The 10 Best Things to do Good for Kids in West Coast Region, South Island
Discover the best top things to do in West Coast Region, New Zealand including Oparara Basin, Lake Matheson Walk, Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk, Hokitika Gorge Walk, Truman Track, Cape Foulwind Walkway, Brunner Mine Site Walk, Woods Creek Track, Westland Recreation Centre, Charming Creek Walkway.
Restaurants in West Coast Region
1. Oparara Basin
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 122 reviews
Reviewed By ChimpR
This is one of the best 1/2 day visits I have done. Make sure you see all the free sites to make the journey worthwhile, Oparara arch, mirror tarn, morea arch, crazy paving cave, & box canyon cave & take a torch! The walks are all easy, and the tracks are in excellant conditon. Good story boards provided by DOC. Take your lunch & you find your sharing it with the locals (wekas), they are really cute. The robins are very nosy too, they come right up to your feet. Yes the road is gravel but it's in good condition, suitable for all types of car. Yes its narrow but if everybody drives sensibly its very safe.
2. Lake Matheson Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 944 reviews
Lake Matheson is nestled in ancient forest and is famous for mirror views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and Mount Tasman. Its excellent reflecting properties are due to the dark brown colour of the water – the result of organic matter leached from the humus of the forest floor. Dawn and dusk are the best times to enjoy the reflections in the lake. Time: 1 hr 30 min return Getting there: Turn onto Cook Flat Road in the middle of Fox Glacier Weheka township. Travel 5 km along this road then turn right onto the side road to Lake Matheson.
Reviewed By KayM637 - Devonport, New Zealand
Make sure you do this walk on a sunny day, otherwise you will not get the mirrow affect of the Lake for photos. The loop track took us 1 1/2 hrs and has been upgraded and extened since 2005 with board walks and a walk to the island on the lake.
3. Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,379 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Donzmarie72
Wow mother nature is amazing the formation of the rocks is mind blowing nice clear day high tide amazing photo opportunities lovely scenic walk to see nature at it's best. Especially the chimney pot.was much enjoyed recomend anyone to see this.
4. Hokitika Gorge Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,475 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Pontes1988 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
The walk through the bush and also in the two bridges in Hokitika Gorge is absolutely stunning and breathtaking.. the walk is super easy and the new bridge is just a spectacular to walk in the middle of the valley.. a must do for any visiting around.
5. Truman Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 313 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By sherrrrry - Flagler Beach, United States
An easy walk through a magical rainforest brings you to a beautiful natural coastal view. Take your time and listen for birds. Bring your camera, too!
6. Cape Foulwind Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 707 reviews
Reviewed By GaryandLesleyTravel - Auckland Central, New Zealand
From the “Light house” car park the walk along this wonderful stretch of NZ coastline to the Fur Seal colony took us 45 mins each way allowing us multiple stops for photos. If you have the time it’s well worth it. On a clear day from the point you can see up to Karamea and down to Mt Cook. NZ for free at its best. #nzforfree
7. Brunner Mine Site Walk
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 178 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By 202neilb - Auckland, New Zealand
Well preserved remnants of important New Zealand history. Not far out of Greymouth and well worth a visit. Put aside an hour to wander around this well-signed heritage area. Easy walk, lots of information about a once thriving mining settlement. Plenty to see. Sad that a monument to NZ’s worst mining disaster in 1896 has to reference other losses of miners lives, as recent as Pike River in 2010.
8. Woods Creek Track
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 75 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Mcmooo - Napier, New Zealand
Great walk through an old mining site set deep in native bush. Walk past old water races and dig sites and even walk deep into (safe) old tunnels.
9. Westland Recreation Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
Recreation facility that includes swimming pools, spa and sauna. Also a fitness gym with Les Mills group fitness classes, as well as two indoor basketball courts.
10. Charming Creek Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 74 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By floridaherbie - Marco Island, United States
We tried the Charming creek walkway as a short walkway not so far away from Westport. The trail follows an old railway track for the timber business in the last century. Some of the railway equipment is still there. But the most beautiful award for hiking for one and a half hour one way is the waterfall after walking through a long tunnel carved out of the mountain by loggers a hundred years ago. Flashlight recommeded.
