The West Coast is better described as the Wild West Coast where you'll find the ancient Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier nestled amidst primeval rain forest. Here the lakes, rivers, forests and beaches of an untamed, yet accessible wilderness, are as pure as you will find anywhere.
If you would like to explore the glacier on foot, it is advisable to join a guided tour. Sightseeing flights by helicopter or plane are a must in good weather. When the chopper lands at the very top at the source of the glacier and cuts its engines, the views, serenity and pure air are truly memorable.
Though remote and sparsely populated, a wide range of cultural and natural experiences can be enjoyed in this region. To the north is Punakaiki, the centrepiece of Paparoa National Park, which is known for its “pancake” rocks and blowholes. When the tide is right, the booming explosion of surf from the caverns and clefts in the rocks here is exciting and memorable.
The Tranz Alpine rail journey rated as one of the most scenic in the world departs daily from Christchurch and terminates at Greymouth which is the largest town on the coast and a centre for exploration. The gold-mining heritage of the region is brought to life in nearby Shantytown, a fascinating and authentic reconstructed 1880s gold rush town and nearby is Hokitika, the centre of Greenstone (New Zealand jade) production.
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