New Zealand · 8 days · 410 km · One-way
West Coast Road — the wild South Island West Coast
The wild strip between the Tasman Sea and the Southern Alps. 90% conservation land: Pancake Rocks, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Lake Matheson reflecting Mt Cook, and gold-rush pioneer towns. State Highway 6 paced over 8 stress-free days.
Start: Westport · End: Haast · Summer (December to February). Off-season closures and heavy rain. · Difficulty: moderate
Highlights
- Coaltown Museum (Westport)
- Cape Foulwind seal colony
- Pancake Rocks and blowholes (Punakaiki)
- Pororari River Track
- Shantytown and Monteith's Brewery (Greymouth)
- Hokitika Gorge (turquoise water)
- White Heron Sanctuary (Sep-Mar, Whataroa)
- Heli-hike at Franz Josef or Fox
- Lake Matheson (mirror lake)
- Knights Point Lookout
- Jackson Bay (natural harbour)
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Westport
Westport
- · Coaltown Museum
- · Denniston Plateau ghost town
- · Cape Foulwind walkway (seal colony)
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Day 2
Westport → Punakaiki
Westport → Punakaiki · 56 km
- · Pancake Rocks and blowholes
- · Pororari River Track (limestone gorge)
Overnight: Punakaiki Beach Camp
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Day 3
Punakaiki → Greymouth
Punakaiki → Greymouth · 44 km
- · Shantytown Heritage Park
- · Monteith's Brewery
- · West Coast Wilderness Trail (bike)
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Day 4
Greymouth → Hokitika
Greymouth → Hokitika · 39 km
- · Pounamu/jade galleries
- · Sunset Point and driftwood beach
- · Lake Kaniere
- · Hokitika Gorge
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Day 5
Hokitika → Whataroa
Hokitika → Whataroa · 103 km
- · Mananui Tramline (historic)
- · Treetop Walkway
- · White Heron Sanctuary Tour (Sep-Mar)
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Day 6
Whataroa → Franz Josef
Whataroa → Franz Josef · 31 km
- · Heli-hike on the glacier
- · Scenic flight to Aoraki/Mt Cook
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Day 7
Franz Josef → Fox Glacier
Franz Josef → Fox Glacier · 25 km
- · Lake Matheson (mirror lake reflecting Mt Cook)
- · Gillespies Beach DOC campsite
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Day 8
Fox Glacier → Haast (with Jackson Bay detour)
Fox Glacier → Haast · 121 km
- · Knights Point Lookout
- · Curly Tree Whitebait
- · Jackson Bay (natural harbour and fish & chips)
Recommended brands for this route
Selection based on road type and trip length. Tighter budgets — we can also quote Mighty.