New Zealand West Coast
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Auckland, Gisborne, Hamilton, Rotorua, Hastings, Napier, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Taupo, Tauranga, Wellington, Blenheim, Christchurch, Dunedin, Kaikoura, Oamaru, Nelson, Golden Bay, Picton, Arthurs Pass, Aoraki/Mount Cook, Queenstown, Wanaka, Invercargill, The Catlins, New Zealand West Coast, Fiordland, Rakiura (Stewart Island) |
The West Coast or simply 'The Coast' (as it's most commonly called) is the western coast of Te Wai Pounamu, the south island of New Zealand. There are currently (Nov 06) eight West Coast CouchSurfers - most in Hokitika.
The main towns are Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika. All three of these towns were large bustling cities and ports during the Gold Rush period of the late 19th century.
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Karamea
Sub-tropical paradise. Southern end of the Heaphy Track walking track to Golden Bay. .
Kahurangi National Park
D.O.C. Kahurangi National Park
Westport
Westport is the northern most of the three major towns on the west coast. Located at the mouth of the Buller River. .
Punakaiki & Paparoa National Park
Pancake Rocks and blowholes
Greymouth
Greymouth is located in the middle of the West Coast at the mouth of the Grey River. Highlights are the Monteiths brewery and Shanty Town.
Also destination point for the Tranz Alpine train service from Christchurch. .
Hokitika
Hokitika is the southern most of the three main towns on the West Coast.
Gateway to South Westland and last major town if you're travelling south through to Wanaka via Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier and the Haast Pass.
Each year in March the Wild Foods Festival takes place - your chance to partake of all manner of bizarre delicacies. .
Franz Josef Glacier
D.O.C Westland Tai Poutini National Park .
Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier
Lake Matheson
Gillespies Beach
D.O.C Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Tips
The two glaciers and their respective villages, are very similar. Franz Josef is larger in that it has more shops and places to stay. The Glacier itself is surrounded by temperate rain forest. Fox Glacier is smaller in that it only has one 'backpackers' and a smaller convenience store. The Glacier is surrounded by more dramatic scenery, for example cliffs, but essentially once you get on the glaciers they are the same. Nearby Fox Glacier is Lake Matheson which is a great photo opportunity including the Glacier and New Zealand's largest mountain, Aoraki/Mount Cook.
20 kilometers south of Fox Glacier is the Copland Valley. A six hour hike up the valley shows off remarkable alpine terrain. You are rewarded for your troubles with a hot spring at Welcome flat, which is a hut with 30 places to sleep. Be wary that in summer it is booked up.
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