6 must-do experiences in Haast

1. Waiatoto River Cruise

You might expect a jet-boat tour on the Waiatoto River to be like others in New Zealand: a fast, stomach-flipping experience at hair-raising high speeds. This adventure errs on the side of slow and sedate. Passengers cruise up the river at a leisurely pace, with on-board commentary and a chance to step out and absorb the scenery.

2. Whitebait – NET, catch & devour

Haast is West Coast whitebait country so you’re never too far from catching or eating it. The Curly Tree Whitebait Company serves a morish whitebait patty from its no-nonsense truck. Just so you don’t step on the local’s toes, go to www.doc.govt.nz for more info.

3. West Coast Sunsets

The route from Haast to Jackson Bay is littered with irresistible beaches, as well as dunes, lakes and wetlands. As night falls, the most spellbinding sunsets are often admired from Haast Beach.

4. Fishing in Jacksons Bay

Often rated as one of the West Coast’s ‘best kept secrets’, it’s a pure visual splendour. Fish from Jacksons Bay’s natural deep-water wharf for cod, groper and terakihi.

5. Dine at The Craypot

Not unsurprisingly The Craypot serves crayfish. Something of a local landmark and perched by the sea in a quirky converted railway carriage, guests feast on both the views and the region’s plumpest, tastiest seafood.

6. Easy on the eye flights

Discover pristine lakes and native rainforest so dense it’s by and large untouched by human footprint by soaring over the West Coast’s dramatic landscape of hidden rivers, glaciers and cascading cliffs by plane or helicopter.