WEST COAST Lake Matheson © Adobe Stock
Walking Must-Do’s of West Coast DON'T MISS White heron / kōtuku, Ōkārito Lagoon © Adobe Stock
• Ōkārito Lagoon is a beautiful body of water perfect for exploring by kayak. • Walk or cycle the Kawatiri Coastal Trail that connects Westport with Charleston. • Punakāiki Pancake Rocks in the Paparoa National Park are a definite must-see. • Tauranga Bay Seal Colony is located at Cape Foulwind. Watching the hilarious seal antics is highly addictive. • Lake Brunner is great for jet boating, paddling and fishing for brown trout, of which there is an abundant supply. • Greymouth is home to Shantytown Heritage Park, a full replica of an 1860 gold town with over 30 explorable buildings. • The Old Ghost Road, formerly a gold miners' road between Seddonville and Lyell, has been transformed into a 85km walking and cycling trail. • Walk or zipline across the 100m Buller Gorge Swingbridge. • In Hokitika, climb amidst rainforest giants at the West Coast Treetop Walkway. • Blackball has a quality museum and a cool historic hotel that are worth a visit. • Hokitika makes a great base for both the impossibly blue Hokitika Gorge and the twinkly Glow Worm Dell. • Admire what nature can create over 35 million years at Oparara Basin in Karamea. • Explore world-famous Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, as well as Lake Matheson for its perfect reflection of Aoraki Mt Cook. • In Haast, take a cruise on the Waiatoto River, fish at Jackson Bay and while here, walk the Smoothwater Bay Track. • Arthur's Pass is hugely impressive.
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