Discovering the hidden jewels of New Zealand’s West Coast
- Jesse Holmes
- Oct 24
- 5 min read
This week we travel westbound with Kevin to Te Waipounamu’s (te reo for New Zealand’s South Island) famous West Coast! These exclusive summer only tours operate from the 1st of November 2025 until the 31st of April 2026, so get in quick to secure your chance to visit this incredibly special part of Aotearoa. But don’t worry if you plan to travel to Aotearoa any other time of the year as we can help you explore this region with a personalised private tour.
Spanning from Punakaiki in the north to Ross in the south, this rugged section of coastline is renowned for its raw beauty. The district is renowned for pounamu, or greenstone (New Zealand Jade), which is primarily found in the Arahura River and unique to the South Island; hence the te reo translation of ‘greenstone waters’. This precious stone is considered tāonga, and holds deep spiritual meaning, particularly to Poutini Ngāi Tahu, who are its guardians. While pounamu cannot be taken from any of the rivers by members of the public due to the kinship and protection rights for local iwi, many try their luck at fossicking at Hokitika beach where smaller pieces are known to deposit. For those who are eager-eyed, keep an eye out for small stones with a milky-coloured/grey outer and a distinctly ‘soapy feel’. If you are lucky, you might even find a distinct ‘greener’ piece already naturally tumbled by its journey from river to sea. If you’re looking to purchase pounamu, we highly recommend researching the meaning and significance of each design, as well as the cultural practices that are observed around gifting this tāonga.
In addition to the beautiful geology, the West Coast’s geography has it all. From beaches, and native forest, to glaciers, gorges, and rivers, there are plenty of things to see, do, and explore across a variety of destinations; several of which we stop at, or drop off to while on tour. Read on to hear more about the highlights and history of some of the places we visit on our adventures. Unfortunately, there are locations that New Zealand’s ‘Coasters’ (affectionate Kiwi slang for those who live on the West Coast) call home that we aren’t able to include in our standard tours, but we can include on private tours, such as Punakaiki.
Greymouth and Cobden
Greymouth, or Māwhera - the te reo name for the local pā - is the West Coast’s largest township. Bordered by the Grey River in the heart of the Grey District, the area is steeped in history. Booming during the Coast’s gold rush in the 1860s, thousands flocked to the dramatic, rugged, pioneer, and then unforgiving landscape in the hope of getting lucky. It is this fierce determination and rich history that is commemorated and loved by locals and visitors alike. Nowadays, Greymouth is more well known for its coal mining heritage (though this has decreased in recent years), as well as its plethora of fishing, hiking, and biking options. The town is also the nearest to Gloriavale, New Zealand’s own Amish population, who live in an isolated, self-sufficient Christian community.
Depending on time, we also might make a stop at Cobden; a breach break with a rock breakwater at its southern end that produces incredible waves. It is a spot that truly captures the essence of the Coast’s wild beauty.
Hokitika
Hokitika is the West Coast’s ‘Cool Little Town’. Arguably one of the region’s most iconic and photographed spots, on a fine day, the turquoise waters of the Hokitika Gorge paint a striking picture against the mature, native podocarp forest that borders it. The water’s distinct colour is caused by finely ground/tumbled rock sentiment against white granite bedrock from the region’s surrounding glaciers. The Gorge’s accompanying walk is easy and undulating, offering various lookout points from different angles (including from swing bridges!), making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
In addition to the Gorge, Hokitika itself boasts plenty of things to do - including bike tracks, glass blowing, stone carving, as well as plenty of other native bush and beach walks to keep you busy. Like many towns scattered along the western coastline of Te Waipounamu, Hokitika was too flooded with prospectors during the 1860s during the gold rush. However, as mentioned earlier, what makes this small town even more special is that it is just a few minutes away from Arahura - one of the main birthplaces of pounamu. With such a precious and protected heritage, Hokitika and its iconic black sand, driftwood laden beach is a must-visit.
Lake Ianthe
Surrounded by hills and native podocarp forests with a large flax swamp at its southern end, Lake Ianthe is an important home for endangered wetland species such as the Great Crested Grebe. Situated in a former glacial trough, the lake is surrounded by a moraine and flows into the Wanganui River via Ianthe Creek. Time at this destination is short but sweet on our tours to and from Franz Josef.
Franz Josef
Nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s unique West Coast Glacier Country, Franz Josef is only one of two places in the entire world where you can view glaciers surrounded by native alpine forest. The glacier’s Māori name, Kā Roimata o Hinehukatere - translating to ‘The Frozen Tears of Hinehukatere’ - speaks to the story of Hinehukatere whose fearless nature and love for the mountains saw her take her lover, Wawe, climbing, only for him to be swept away in an avalanche. Grief-stricken and broken-hearted, her tears were frozen by the Gods as a permanent reminder of her love and grief, forming the beautiful glacier we have today. While direct access to the glacier face is not possible on our tours, you can walk to the lookout (tour dependent) and learn more about the amazing history of this piece of natural beauty. For those staying on, there are scenic flights, glacier guiding, and skydiving options available. Looking for a more relaxed pace? Consider soaking in the hot pools for a serene experience.
Full summary of West Coast tour and transfer options
● Hokitika to Greymouth (1 way) - TBC
That’s all from us this week, and the conclusion of our adventure tour series with Kevin. We hope you have enjoyed it and have fallen in love with our beautiful sights as much as we have! If you wish to book, you can contact us directly at tours@cheekykeatravel.com. Next week we return, to the east coast to venture to the stunning Waipara Valley to learn more about our wine tour packages.
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