Excursions on the West Coast
Greymouth
Set between the Tasman Sea and the unbroken chain of the Southern Alps, the West Coast is a breathtaking 600 kilometres of mountains and glaciers, tranquil lakes and unruly rivers, primaeval forests and magnificent coastline. Greymouth is its largest town and the main commercial centre of the region. The town has an interesting goldmining history and offers a host of adventure activities, including rafting, sailing, fishing, scenic flights and blackwater rafting.
KaikouraScenically located between sea and the rugged Kaikoura Ranges, the town is known as the marine capital of the south and famous for activities such as whale watching and swimming with the dolphins. A wide range of walks are available along the Kaikoura Peninsula and through the Mount Fyffe Forest. Other attractions include a seal colony on the rocky south-eastern side of the peninsula, and limestone caves, the most notable of which is the Maori Leap sea cave. Local history can be seen at Fyffe House and Kaikoura Museum.
Nelson / MarlboroughOne of New Zealand's leading grape-growing areas, the Nelson/Marlborough region offers a diverse range of scenery from beaches and vineyards to snow-capped mountains and the rugged beauty of the
Marlborough Sounds. The Sounds - a system of drowned river valleys - are one of the country's most popular tourist attractions, offering hiking, kayaking and horse trekking. The region boasts 32 walks and 280 tracks, totalling more than 1900 kilometres.