Top Things to do in West Coast Region
The 6 Best Beaches in West Coast Region, South Island
Discover the best top things to do in West Coast Region, New Zealand including Hokitika Beach, Ship Creek Walks, Monro Beach, Gillespies Beach, Cobden Beach, Haast Beach.
Restaurants in West Coast Region
1. Hokitika Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 620 reviews
Reviewed By FallonA85 - Christchurch, New Zealand
We live the beach, it’s easy to go to, eventhough we didnt see the beautiful sunset.. Black sand, clean and the Hokitika sign made of driftwoods is a must see including the shipwreck..
2. Ship Creek Walks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 109 reviews
Ship Creek offers two short loop walks, as well as access to the stunning coastline, a lookout tower with 360 degree views, picnic tables and toilet facilities. The Dune Lake Walk 30 min- winding through the sand dunes and dense coastal forest with amazing lookout points over the southern coastline and dune lake. Kahikatea Swamp Forest Walk 20 min- a boardwalk following Ship Creek and looping underneath the Swamp Kahikatea Trees. Check the current track conditions and weather forecasts at the Department of Conservation, Awarua/ Haast Visitor Centre before starting your trip. •Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly. •Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection at all times. Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By Bruce_NZealand - New Zealand, null
Visit the beach, the dunes and the swamp. If you are lucky you may see Hector dolphins on your walk along the beach.
3. Monro Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 43 reviews
Monro Beach 1hr 20 mins return walk- 4.7km return. An easy walk through coastal forest to the remote Monro Beach. In Spring you may see Fiordland Crested Penguin/ Tawaki crossing the beach to their nesting sites, do not approach or follow these shy birds keeping a distance of at least 30 metres. Check the current track conditions and weather forecasts at the Department of Conservation, Haast Visitor Centre before starting your trip. •Always take warm and waterproof clothing as the weather can change rapidly. •Carry drinking water, insect repellent and sun protection at all times.
Reviewed By buckeyetravel - Ohio, United States
If you are traveling to or from Franz Josef and Wanaka or Queenstown you can stop on the west coast and do the Monro Beach hike. It takes about 1.5 hours round trip and the hike is mostly flat with some elevation changes. The path is well maintained and it goes through a coastal forest for most of the walk which is really nice. At the end of the hike you end up at Monro Beach where there are sometime penguins to be seen but outside of the nesting season it is hit or miss. We went in November and the nesting was pretty much done so although the people on the beach when we arrived said they had seen penguins they were now off in the ocean. The beach is a little hard to walk on as there are streams of water to make sure you have hiking shoes or water proof shoes (or don't mind getting wet) if you want to explore the beach. The parking lot for this hike is very small so if you get there late morning to early afternoon the lot may be pretty full and hard to find a spot. I think we arrived around 10 and when we came back it was full. Good hike to do and nice way to break up the long drive.
4. Gillespies Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 197 reviews
There are five walks and a campsite at Gillespie's Beach. Miners Cemetery Walking Track - Time: 5 min return Gillespie's Suction Dredge Walk - Time: 15 min loop Gillespies Bucket Dredge Walk - Time: 30 min return Miners Tunnel Track - Time: 1 hr 40 min return Galway Beach Tramping Track - Time: 3 hr 30 min return Getting there: Gillespies Beach is a 21 km drive from Fox Glacier Weheka township. Head west along Cook Flat Road passing the turn off to Lake Matheson and the Peak Viewpoint along the way. After 8 km turn off to Gillespies Beach Road and follow this for 11 km to the end. Half of the journey is on a narrow, unsealed road – keep left, and keep your speed to a minimum. The road is not suitable for towing vehicles.
Reviewed By mywaypete - Haddam, United States
This beach is located down a long gravel road. Stunning views of the wild Tasman Sea. Way too rough for swimming, but beautiful to take in. There’s a basic toilet facility, and drive up campers seem to enjoy overnights. From the beach, you also get fabulous views of the glaciers and surrounding alps around Mt Cook. If you’ve got time, I highly recommend this excursion.
5. Cobden Beach
6. Haast Beach
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By 290grantn - Hastings, New Zealand
We went for wander along the beach. Lots of driftwood and stones - found plenty of greenstone (well they were stones and they were green!) - very pleasant conditions to walk in - would suggest barefeet as shoes picked up lots of sand - just make sure you have shoes before trying to walk on the road as the surface is kind of rough. Very peaceful - recommend (on a fine day anyway)
