West Coast Pancake Rocks, Punakāiki © West Coast Tourism BELOW: Truman Track, Punakāiki © Adobe Stock
Karamea
SEDDONVILLE
Greymouth
BULLER DISTRICT
Westport
CHARLESTON
PUNAKAIKI PAPAROA NATIONAL PARK From Punakāiki it’s a mere hop into the park, famed for its incredulous limestone formations, including the Pancake Rocks and noteworthy walks such as Paparoa Track.
cavern of over 130m safe, explorable passages. PETREL COLONY TOURS Slap bang in the middle of Punakāiki and Barrytown, this private wildlife sanctuary is just a sevenminute drive from both towns. Join a sunrise or sunset tour of the world’s only breeding grounds of the Westland Petrel. Open April to mid-December.
Reefton
PUNAKĀIKI PANCAKE ROCKS A series of rocks that resemble stacked pancakes, albeit ‘made’ 30 million years ago. Joined by erupting blowholes and a ferocious surge pool called the Devil's Cauldron.
Greymouth
PUNAKĀIKI CAVERN A short walk from Punakāiki village (and a five-minute walk from Pancake Rocks), an unassuming wooden stairway descends into a
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BULLER
TRUMAN TRACK In Paparoa National Park, this 30-minute return track burrows through subtropical forest before emerging on the coast. A waterfall plummets straight onto the beach.
SHANTYTOWN A life-size village plucked straight out of the 1860s. Wander in and out of the houses, stores, jail and tearoom; quench your thirst in the saloon bar; dress up in period attire and ride a vintage steam train. History has a pulse in this old town. BRUNNER MINE SITE Walk Easily one of Greymouth’s most historically significant sites. This 2km looped walkway weaves between its brick factory, coke ovens and longforgotten tunnel entrances. MONTEITHS BREWERY Learn all about the gold brew. An icon of the West Coast, tours bring Monteiths’ brewing history to life, with beer tasting at the end and a great dining venue to boot. GARTH WILSON JADE Husband and wife duo, Garth and Jo explain the Māori traditions behind each piece of individually carved pounamu made in-house from stone sourced from the coast. THE GREAT COAST ROAD Snaking for 100km between Westport and Greymouth (with Punakāiki Pancake Rocks en route), the road is sandwiched between frothing sea
and imposing cliffs. The air is always licked with salt and beaches such as 9 Mile and 17 Mile are definite must-see’s. LAKE BRUNNER Forty-five minutes inland from Greymouth, those with rods come for the brown trout and the TranzAlpine train stops here. Tiny Moana tickles the lake’s edges, boasting a campground, small store and Kōtuku Pottery shop. THE TRANZALPINE EXPERIENCE One of the world’s great rail journeys, there are few other methods of transport that conjure such magic. This iconic train travels daily between Greymouth and Christchurch – both ways – taking approximately four-and-a-half hours one way. COAL CREEK FALLS Walkway Judging by the forest sounds, the wildlife is as excited to be here as you are. Walk for half an hour through the bush to reach wide, boisterous falls and a swimming hole. WEST COAST WILDERNESS CYCLE TRAIL The start line for this easy Grade 2 cycle trail is in central Greymouth by Grey River. Arrive in PAGE 7 - REGIONAL MAP
