The Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.
© Friars Guides

The Haast River with Southern Alps in the background.
© Friars Guides

unique and ruggedly beautiful

On a long (514km as the godwits fly) and ruggedly beautiful strip of land between the Tasman Sea and the Southern Alps, the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island is unique. Necessitated by their isolation, the locals, known as the Coasters, have evolved a distinctive culture based on selfreliance and hospitality. The region is deserving of more than a drive through the countryside. A paradise for outdoor pursuiters, from the walks of the Heaphy Track in Northern Buller, through pancake rock formations of Punakaiki to the glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox, there is much to keep the enthusiast occupied. There are many museums and historic buildings recording the hard life of the gold and coal-mining era. The West Coast provides some of the best wilderness fishing on lakes and rivers and best hunting in the temperate rainforests anywhere in New Zealand. Experienced fishing and hunting guides will arrange helicopter drop-offs. It is possible to hunt for red deer, fly fish for trophy trout and surfcast for sea fish all within a four-hour period. Many of our hosts in this region will then prepare your catch for the evening meal.

areas within West Coast

Friars has identified the following areas within West Coast. Below is a breakdown of Friars listed hosts in West Coast per locality.

• Northern Buller: Seddonville (1)
• Buller: Westport (1)
• Westland: Hokitika (3), and Ross (1)
• South Westland: Haast (1), and Franz Josef (1)

find location already shown

previous searches

directions

Create directions using markers on the map itself. You can do this by selecting one as a starting point and another as a destination marker. Using right-mouse-click (CTRL + click on a Apple Mac), you can also create your own markers - which maybe useful in creating your own routes.

reset