West Coast
The wild
West Coast
NATURE IN ITS ELEMENT THE TASMAN SEA POUNDS THIS REGION’S 600KM STRETCH OF RUGGED COASTLINE AND THE GREAT COAST ROAD, FROM WESTPORT TO GREYMOUTH, AFFORDS SPECTACULAR VIEWS. Inhabitants gave up trying to tame the unruly West Coast long ago. When its bounty of gold, coal and timber were discovered the area quickly prospered, but its flurry of fortune never eclipsed the real riches of the west – its weatherworn beauty. The gold peddlers have long gone, but the wild, natural treasures of this region remain. Explore ancient limestone cliffs, glowworm caves and old bush tramways in Charleston, see the Pancake Rocks and the mighty blowholes at Punakāiki, or enjoy the Coal Creek Falls Walkway as you immerse yourself in the history of Rūnanga, where old mining roots still run deep.
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The West Coast has more protected land than any other part of New Zealand. In fact, the Haast region is so special that UNESCO have named it a World Heritage Area. The Coast is sparsely populated, allowing visitors to find space far from the crowds. Enjoy the remoteness and explore some of the world’s most accessible glaciers. Those keen to get off the beaten track will revel in isolated townships such as Granity, Hector and Ngākawau. The latter are bijou settlements sitting at the mouth of the Ngākawau River. Fittingly, Hector’s dolphins often frequent the shoreline and in Ngākawau, the Charming Creek Walkway leads to Seddonville.
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