Towns of the Trail
There is nowhere in New Zealand like the fabulous West Coast of the Southern Alps!
Greymouth
Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast and the central hub of the region. It offers a wide range of retail, banking, medical, and other key amenities and services.
Greymouth is the start of the West Coast Wilderness Trail and the gateway to the world famous Tranz Alpine Train which arrives and departs to Christchurch daily along with coach and shuttle services to and from South Island centres. Greymouth boasts a wide range of accommodation and activities options, making it a great base to start your West Coast Wilderness Trail experience.
Activities range from the outdoor cave tubing, white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing, to climbing, hiking, guided walks and scenic flights. Visit the historic Gold Mine town “Shantytown” only a few kms off the cycle trail or stop in at the Monteiths Brewery for a West Coast brew. Other activities in the area include 4wd bike tours, knife making, the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Punakaiki, Jade carving, horse trekking and trout fishing tours in and around the Lake District. There is so much to do and see!
Kumara
Kumara is a former gold mining town where many came to seek their fortune, particularly the Irish. The town was once the home of the most famous West Coaster, Richard John Seddon, Premier of the Liberal Government from 1893 until his death in 1906.
Today, Kumara is a service town for tourists and farmers. The race course at Kumara provides a base for competitors and their support teams heading off on the annual Coast to Coast endurance race and the annual race meeting brings thousands of visitors each year.
Kumara offers lots for the outdoor enthusiast from tramping, hunting and fishing to fossicking for gold. Lake Brunner and the Taramakau River offer magnificent scenery and great brown trout fishing while the lower Taramakau is famous for its whitebait runs.
Hokitika
Hokitika is inspired by local landscapes and raw materials: jade, gold and other minerals, driftwood, timber, clay, shell, bone and fibres. It is, therefore, no coincidence that craft artists, sculptors, jewellers, painters and poets have chosen the Hokitika area as their home. Hokitika has a vibrant artisan community, and the area is now internationally renowned as a centre of creative arts.
The Hokitika Gorge is worth a visit. The vivid turquoise water surrounded by lush native bush looks amazing and it is only 33kms from Hokitika. Visitors can also enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, including the exhilarating West Coast Treetop Walk, white water rafting, kayaking and canoeing, climbing, hiking and guided walks, scenic flights, helicopter flights and glacier landings. Hokitika also hosts the national Kiwi Centre, museums and theatre, and a choice of fine cafes, restaurants, and quality accommodation.
Ross
Ross is an easy 25 minute drive south of Hokitika. Originally founded on gold, Ross has a colourful history, and local heritage guides love to introduce visitors to their town. View a working gold mine, pan for gold, just as the old miners did, or visit one of the many historic sites. Ross has a general store, and a service station for motoring needs.
