Attractions in South Island West Coast (glaciers)
Wild coastlines, ancient glaciers, and greenstone trails 🌊❄️
Showing 39 attractions · Sorted by importance
Fox Glacier
📍 Fox Glacier
🏛 LandmarkA stunning maritime glacier that descends into temperate rainforest, providing a unique and majestic natural spectacle.
Franz Josef Glacier
📍 Franz Josef
🏛 LandmarkOne of the most accessible glaciers in the world, offering dramatic ice views and valley walks for the whole family.
Haast Pass Highway (SH6)
📍 Haast
🚗 Road Trip140km paved alpine crossing (2-3 hours) through Mt Aspiring National Park. Famous for the Blue Pools, Thunder Creek Falls, Fantail Falls, and transitioning from temperate rainforest to dry Otago landscapes.
Hokitika Gorge
📍 Hokitika
🏔 Scenic ViewBreathtaking turquoise glacial waters framed by white granite cliffs and lush temperate rainforest.
Lake Matheson
📍 Fox Glacier
🌲 NatureA serene lake world-renowned for its perfect mirror reflections of New Zealand's highest peaks, Mount Cook and Mount Tasman.
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
📍 Punakaiki
⛱ BeachDramatic limestone formations and vertical blowholes that blast sea spray high into the air during high tide.
Paparoa Track (Great Walk)
📍 Blackball
🥾 Hiking & Cycling55km intermediate multi-day route for hikers (3 days) and mountain bikers (2 days), with 1,485m elevation gain crossing the Paparoa Range. Bike rental: Punakaiki Beach Camp (punakaikibeachcamp.co.nz)
Shantytown Heritage Park
📍 Greymouth
🏰 CastleA fully-realized 19th-century gold-mining town recreation where families can ride steam trains and try their hand at gold panning.
The Great Alpine Highway (SH73)
📍 Christchurch
🚗 Road Trip255km paved mountain pass (3.5-4 hours) connecting the east and west coasts. Highlights include the engineering marvel of the Otira Viaduct, Castle Hill limestone boulders, and the rugged Southern Alps.
West Coast Treetop Walk & Café
📍 Hokitika
🧗 AdventureAn exhilarating adventure 20 meters above the ground through a temperate rainforest canopy with stunning views of the Southern Alps.
West Coast Wilderness Trail
📍 Greymouth
🥾 Hiking & Cycling132km easy (Grade 2) 4-day cycling journey from Greymouth to Ross, featuring approx 400m elevation gain through rainforests, wetlands, and old tramlines. Bike rental: Cycle Journeys (cyclejourneys.co.nz)
West Coast Wildlife Centre
📍 Franz Josef Glacier
🔬 ScienceAn indoor natural history and discovery center featuring the rarest kiwi species, tuatara, and interactive glacier displays.
The Great Coast Road
📍 Greymouth
🚗 Road Trip101km paved coastal highway (1.5-2 hours) consistently ranked among the world's top 10 drives. Features the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, dramatic limestone cliffs, and the rugged Tasman Sea coastline.
Waiho Hot Tubs
📍 Franz Josef Glacier
🌊 Water ParkPrivate wood-heated hot tubs nestled in lush rainforest, each filled with fresh mountain stream water for every booking, offering a relaxing retreat after exploring the glaciers.
Brunner Mine Site
📍 Greymouth
🏰 CastleOne of New Zealand's most important industrial heritage sites, featuring preserved brick coke ovens and ruins from the historic coal mining era.
Copland Track to Welcome Flat Hut
📍 Fox Glacier
🥾 Hiking & Cycling36km moderate-to-challenging multi-day hike, 2 days return, 400m elevation gain. Famous for the natural geothermal hot springs at Welcome Flat Hut with views of the Sierras.
Roberts Point Track
📍 Franz Josef / Waiau
🥾 Hiking & Cycling12.3km challenging day hike, 5-6 hours return, 550m elevation gain. Navigates rocky terrain and suspension bridges to reach a spectacular viewing platform of the Franz Josef Glacier.
Thunder Creek Falls
📍 Haast
🏔 Scenic ViewAn impressive 28-meter high waterfall plunging into the Haast River, easily accessible from the main highway.
Glacier Country Scenic Drive
📍 Hokitika
🚗 Road Trip240km paved route (4-5 hours including stops) through the heart of the West Coast. Connects Hokitika to Haast, providing access to Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, and the famous reflection views at Lake Matheson.
On Yer Bike! Off Road Adventures
📍 Greymouth
🧗 AdventureA premier off-road activity center offering mud-filled quad biking and buggy tours through ancient native rainforest tracks.
Ship Creek Tauparikaka
📍 Haast
⛱ BeachA scenic coastal stop featuring ancient kahikatea swamp forests and a wild beach frequently visited by Hector's dolphins.
Underworld Adventures
📍 Punakaiki
🧗 AdventureAn adventure center based in Charleston providing cave rafting and exploration trips through the spectacular Paparoa National Park wilderness.
Welcome Flat Hot Pools
📍 Fox Glacier
♨ Hot SpringNatural geothermal mineral pools with temperatures ranging from 30°C to 57°C. These rock-walled public pools are situated in a remote wilderness meadow with views of the Southern Alps and temperate rainforest.
Hokitika Clock Tower
📍 Hokitika
🏛 LandmarkA prominent historic landmark in the center of town, serving as a classic photo spot and tribute to local pioneers.
Left Bank Art Gallery
📍 Greymouth
🖼 Art GalleryHoused in a historic 1920s bank building, this public gallery showcases contemporary New Zealand artworks and a significant collection of local West Coast pounamu.
Pounamu Pathway - Māwhera
📍 Greymouth
🔬 ScienceA high-tech digital discovery center that uses immersive storytelling to explore the natural history and cultural heritage of the West Coast.
Alex Knob Track
📍 Franz Josef / Waiau
🥾 Hiking & Cycling17.2km challenging day hike, 8 hours return, 1,100m elevation gain. Provides a high-altitude panoramic view of the Franz Josef Glacier and the Tasman Sea.
Hokitika Heritage Trail
📍 Hokitika
🏘 Town / VillageA collection of historic landmarks including the landmark Clock Tower and the 1895 Custom House, showcasing the town's legacy as a major Victorian port.
Okarito Wharf and Heritage Area
📍 Okarito
🏘 Town / VillageA serene historic coastal settlement featuring a restored 19th-century wharf shed that tells the story of the region's early flax and timber trade.
Ross Goldfields Information & Heritage Centre
📍 Ross
🏰 CastleA historic site and museum exploring the region's rich gold-mining legacy at the site of New Zealand's largest gold nugget discovery.
West Coast Scenic Waterways
📍 Hokitika
🐄 FarmA peaceful eco-tourism site offering tranquil cruises and a small farm park where visitors can meet friendly sheep, pigs, and deer.