Attractions
Mountain highs, blue pools, twin glaciers and other natural wonders … you’ll find nature all around on the West Coast, a dynamic visual feast of wildly varied, untamed scenic wonders and beauty. From majestic mountain highs to vast underground caverns, via splendid lakes, turquoise gorges, soaring forest and lush wetland havens to spectacular coastal landforms, it’s no wonder that photographers, and all who visit – love the West Coast!
Greymouth and the surrounding Grey District are packed with rugged natural beauty, historical sites, tales of old, adventure activities and attractions. Greymouth – originally the site of the Māori settlement of Mawhera, now the region’s largest town is an iconic coastal port at the mouth of the Grey River.
Māori used the Grey River for transport, and the earliest arrivals came in search of pounamu (greenstone), then gold, later coal and timber. Greymouth is a busy fishing port, and the arrival point for the TranzAlpine scenic train from Christchurch.
HIGHLIGHTS
Exploring Greymouth
Mawhera Quay — on the edge of the Grey River — is a good place to start exploring Greymouth. The iconic Greymouth Clock Tower sits near a memorial to local coal miners lost in mining accidents. It’s also the start of the West Coast Wilderness Trail cycle journey.
Around the town there are art galleries with pounamu (New Zealand jade), contemporary New Zealand art and fine art photography. The Greymouth Sunday Market has local jewellery, woodwork, and other artisanal goodies.
Learn about local history at the small History House Pop-Up Museum which has exhibits telling stories of the Grey District and its people.
Walking & Cycling Trails
The Grey District is home to many beautiful walks and mountain biking tracks.
One of New Zealand’s great rides, the multi-day West Coast Wilderness Trail starts right in Greymouth, follows the coast down to the Taramakau River, then inland to Kumara, via Lake Kaniere to Hokitika, finishing at the historic gold town of Ross.
There are multiple access points en route for great short (or longer) rides and walks on well-formed tracks. The Greymouth to Kumara leg is rated Grade 2 (suitable for most abilities) and takes around 2-4 hours to cover.
Pancake Rocks & Blowholes
Dolomite Point and its Pancake Rocks are predominantly limestone, worn and sculptured by the weather and sea, leaving unique stacks resembling pancakes layered on top of each other. The sealed track is very well maintained and is suitable, with some assistance, for wheelchairs.
The Department of Conservation has installed information boards at locations of interest along the track.
At the coastline the track has many lookouts and areas for fantastic photos to be taken of the Pancake Rocks, blowholes and beautiful views of the coast and mountains. Allow approximately 45 minutes to explore and take photographs.
Glacier Country
Glacier Country is part of Westland Tai Poutini National Park. A haven for some of the world’s rarest wildlife, this vast wilderness spans alpine-to-coastal environments taking in New Zealand’s highest mountains, longest glaciers, tallest forests, wildest rivers and coastlines.
Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier — often referred to as the twin glaciers — are among the most accessible glaciers in the world, the only place on earth where glaciers meet coastal rainforest.
Wherever you go in Glacier Country, there’s a well formed walkway or trail leading to an outstanding scenic highlight. Lake Matheson’s famed alpine reflections and Ōkārito’s wildlife-filled waterways are just the start.
From Greymouth it is approximately a 2.5 hour drive south and so worth it.
Shantytown
Shantytown Heritage Park is a recreated 19th-century pioneer settlement on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, located about 10 km south of Greymouth. It features over 30 historic buildings, offering immersive experiences like steam train rides, gold panning, and heritage exhibits that celebrate the 1860s gold rushes. Expert tutors teach you how to pan for authentic West Coast gold, and you get to keep any flakes you find.
Visitors can ride a vintage steam locomotive through native rainforest along a former bush tramway and the park features a recreated sawmill, a replica of the Dispatch Foundry, a Chinatown honoring early Chinese miners, and a museum holding over 10,000 historical objects.
Westland Recreation Centre
he Westland Recreation Centre is the sports and recreation hub of Greymouth and wider region. It has swimming pools, hydroslides, spa, sauna, gym, group fitness classes, sports stadium for multi sporting codes, an activity/meeting room and much more.
Woods Creek Track
Be sure to take a torch on this walk to explore the fascinating tunnels once used by gold miners.In addition to the remnants of tunnels, races and walls of stacked stone you will pass through mature and regenerating forest.The walk can be covered in under 45 minutes but allow extra time for exploring.
Getting there: Drive south from Greymouth on SH6 for 8 km to Paroa, and turn left onto the road towards Shantytown. Travel down this road for 22 km east, mostly on sealed road, past both Marsden and Dunganville. The last part of the road currently passes through an active modern mining site.
