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If New Zealand was flat there probably wouldn't be a West Coast Region, but like the country of Chile it's 'that long thin strip on the other side of the mountains'. It's hard to get to; there's very little farmable land; and it rains most of the time - so not surprisingly only about 8000 people live here. And while a rural retreat may seem idyllic, most of West Coast Region is beyond retreat and is just remote. You wonder what keeps people here - and for many, it doesn't. But the scenery is stunning, whatever the weather's doing.
The sequence of topics here runs from north to south, following the West Coast Itinerary on the Itineraries page.
There's gold- and coal-mining history to explore, though the biggest delight in Westport is its Art Deco Municipal Chambers.
The Pancake Rocks are a limestone formation that makes you think 'how on earth did they do that?' A bit of a journey to get to, but if you've made it this far to the West Coast they're a 'must-see.'
Greymouth
Greymouth
Greymouth is famous for shipwrecks and sandflies, and it's also the regional capital. But personally I've never found anything to photograph - or even to do, here. Go to Shantytown instead.
To my mind the most pleasant of the three towns in the West Coast (i.e. beating Greymouth and Westport) - and certainly the home of some great fish and chips
Not just a Yarn Store - a Sock Yarn Store, a Museum of Sock-Making Machines, and even a chance to buy a new machine!
Two glaciers, sadly retreating due to warming - so see them soon or they'll be gone.
The end of the West Coast journey - a remote but glorious place to stop overnight and see some of the best scenery around.
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