West Coast New Zealand Road Trip Itinerary: Best Things to Do and See
Planning a New Zealand West Coast road trip? In this travel guide, discover the top places, must-do activities, and best things to do on the West Coast. Including tips on where to stay, advice on how to plan the itinerary, what to pack, and how to get around.
West Coast of New Zealand is considered to be one of the most spectacular places in the country and it is, for sure, a must-visit area you should include on your NZ itinerary when traveling around.
One thing is certain, if you are heading to West Coast, this will not be an ordinary road trip.
Think of the rugged coastline, unspoiled beaches, native forests, winding roads, epic views, short walks, challenging treks, raw nature, and you will have a good impression of what to expect on the dramatic West Coast in New Zealand.
And the gray skies and frequent rain. Lots of rain! And did we mention sandflies? Well, look at it as part of the unique experience.
Planning a road trip to wild and untamed NZ West Coat is a quite challenging task, so we've created this useful travel guide to help you narrow down your journey.
With so many beautiful stops along the way, you could spend several days exploring this incredible area New Zealand has to offer. No wonder that for many visitors, a scenic drive along the West Coast is the highlight of their trip to the country of the White Cloud.
And even though this area covers a large portion of the NZ's South Island, it's scarcely populated and serves as a perfect getaway from the busy tourist attractions and cities you will for sure visit, Auckland and Wellington.
Simply put, West Coast in New Zealand is a must-visit place.
This blog post will show you the top places and best things to do in the West Coast, and help you to plan your New Zealand road trip.
We will also share with you practical information such as how to get around, where to stay, and what to pack.
Let’s dive into it!
WEST COAST
Famous for its Alpine ranges, high precipitation, and breathtaking coastline scenery, New Zealand's West Coast road stretches from Haast all the way up to Westport.
The road that connects those two towns is often ranked as one of the best scenic drives in the world, and you will quickly see why.
West Coast has everything you would expect from a top tourist destination and much more.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN NZ WEST COAST
There are plenty of things to do and see on the West Coast that will keep you entertained for days.
In order to truly experience the immense beauty of New Zealand's West Coast, you should allow yourself at least a couple of days.
Only this way, you will have a chance to discover the best places along the way, immerse yourself in activities you have always wanted to try, and you won't feel rushed.
From exploring the stunning valleys to adventurous helicopter rides and epic glacier walks, from driving along the coast to soaking in the hot pools; West Coast offers things to do for all ages and types of travelers.
To make our NZ West Coast guide as simple as possible, we listed all places in the order you will visit them.
We start our road trip on the south, in the town of Wanaka, and slowly make our way towards the north, until we reach the Westport, where we finish our unforgettable journey.
ROAD TO HAAST
Start your trip in the morning and drive along Lake Hawea first, then cross the Neck, and continue further down the road along Lake Wanaka. The views are pretty epic here.
Continue a little bit further until you arrive to Blue Pools car park.
Blue Pools Track is a fantastic short hike halfway between Wanaka and Haast. The name of this natural gem suggests a lot, but wait until you see it in person. Under the right light conditions, the blue water looks absolutely breathtaking. And this is super important.
You might want to stop there even on a cloudy and rainy day, but be prepared, that the Blue Pools won't be that impressive as they are on a clear day.
Shortly after you leave the Blue Pools parking lot, you will encounter first the Fantail Falls (10-minute drive), and in another five minutes, the Thunder Creek Falls. Both waterfalls are very eye-catching and easily accessible, and there will be a lot of people around.
But before you reach the waterfalls, you need to climb up the Haast Pass first. With an elevation of 564, this is not the most epic place along the way. In reality, it's pretty unimpressive. You can leave your car in a small car park and do a short, but fairly challenging hike to Haast Pass lookout.
But honestly, we are not sure it is worth it. We didn't go there, as it was raining pretty hard at the time we crossed the pass.
So far, we've highlighted our favorite stops along the road, though there are many more stops and lookouts along the way, so allow yourself plenty of time for this trip.
Of course, you can drive this road in the opposite direction, in case you planned your itinerary this way.
HAAST
Welcome to the West Coast!
At first glance, it might seem that you've arrived in the middle of nowhere. You are not far from the truth actually, though it may surprise you, that there are a few things to do in Haast.
There are three places of importance in this area, Haast township, Haast Junction, and Haast Beach.
Named after a German explorer Julius von Haast, the town is popular for fishing activities (the sea is rich with whitebaits, blue cods, and tuna fish), short walking trails, and river safari on Waiatoto River.
There is also an informative DOC Visitor Center in Haast, that you should definitely visit, though the structure looks a bit weird and out-of-place from outside. Once inside, you can learn more about local wildlife and nature around you.
This DOC Visitor Center is nestled on the edge of the wetland, so don't forget to savor a short walk around this structure, which offers a beautiful view of this fragile ecosystem flooded by water with the mountains in the background.
Before you cross the Haast Bridge, follow the Haast–Jackson Bay Road for about 4 kilometers to the west first (then south), and soon you will arrive at the Haast Beach. The unspoiled beach stretches for many kilometers and is known for its astonishing sunsets over the Tasman Sea and friendly sandflies.
This means one thing. You should wear a long-sleeved t-shirt and trousers as well.
LOOKOUTS
West Coast offers one of the most beautiful coastal views in New Zealand.
One of our favorite stops on the West Coast was the Knights Point Lookout. This vantage point offers incredible views of the Tasman Sea and New Zealand's rugged coastline.
As you stand high above the ocean, look to the left, and you will have an amazing spectacle of several rocks emerging from the azure waters. This is a resting area for a colony of seals called Arnott Point, though you might need binoculars to spot them from this distance.
There is, of course, a carpark and also a basic restroom.
Make your way towards north now, continue driving along the shores of the West Coast, and eventually, you will arrive at the parking lot for Copland Track.
There are many more amazing viewpoints along the way, so make sure you drive slowly and carefully.
COPLAND TRACK
This 18 kilometers long (one way) trek to Welcome Flat Hut that features natural hot pools is one of the best things to do on the West Coast.
We spent two days hiking in and out of Copland Valley, and it was a welcoming change from the crowded areas around Wanaka and Queenstown.
Although the scenery of Copland Valley is stunning, this trek is all about the hot pools, which is for many travelers the main motivation to hike this track.
We arrived quite early in the hut on a beautiful sunny afternoon and spent the rest of the day by soaking in the hot pools while chatting with the rangers and other fellow hikers who arrived shortly after us.
And the snow-capped mountains towering above the valley seemed like out of the fairy tale.
Without a doubt, the Copland Track was one of the best (and most rewarding) hikes we did in New Zealand.
The parking lot for Copland Track is on the right (east) side of the road shortly after you cross the bridge to Karangarua River, and you need to make a reservation for a night (we reserved the spots in the Haast Visitor Center).
FOX GLACIER
You have arrived in the Glacier Country. Both Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier are famous New Zealand glaciers and some of the best attractions on the West Coast.
Fox Glacier is fed by four alpine glaciers, and adventure activities such as glacier walks, heli-hikes, ice climbs or any combination of all above, are immensely popular in this area. All these activities offer unique experiences, though they are quite expensive.
Besides, you can't walk on the glacier without an experienced guide for safety reasons. So if this activity is one that appeals to you, you have to join a tour. We can't fail to mention one more thing, something we noticed, that's (usually) not stressed enough.
For safety reasons (once again), you can't get very close to the glacier. We think that you have to stop on average about 200 meters from the glacier, which is the minimum safety distance.
On top of that, park rangers change the distance daily, so don't forget to check the 'How close can I get today' signs along the way. This is a pretty common thing, and we experienced something similar in the Canadian Rockies while touring Icefields Parkway.
So if you really want to get close as possible, and want to feel the raw power of the moving mass of ice, a guided tour is the only option.
However, budget travelers can choose from many scenic hikes and enjoy this incredible scenery as well. And we must admit, that the viewpoint from the coastal rainforest with native trees, ferns around, and the large glacier in the distance, was pretty epic.
This hike is called Chalet Track, and it's a great addition to the most popular Fox Glacier Track.
LAKE MATHESON
Fox Glacier is home to one of the most photographed and beautiful lakes in New Zealand.
On a particularly clear day, Lake Matheson offers stunning views as it reflects Mount Cook, with 3725 meters the highest mountain in New Zealand.
And don't worry if you won't see the top of the mountain, we had clouds too (we waited for a couple of hours in the car, but with no luck)!
We've also explored Aoraki/Mount Cook area from the other side of the mountain range, and you should read about our adventure in this blog post - Mount Cook Village: Best Things to Do in Aoraki National Park.
Lake Matheson Walk is not too hard as it only encircles the lake, so it's great even for families.
Try to start the hike early in the morning, when you have the best chance for the clear sky and the mirroring effect.
On a rainy and cloudy day, it's just a nice walk around a lake, and if short on time, you might want to skip this activity as there are better places to visit.
FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
There are a few things to do in Franz Josef village that you simply can't miss.
The activities and things to do in Franz Josef are very similar to Fox Glacier, so you need to decide for yourself, where you want to try them, how much time you have for each place, what is your budget, etc.
Franz Josef is a thirteen kilometers long glacier easily accessible via a well-maintained trail, and it is for sure the highlight of this area.
The trail to the main viewpoint is mostly flat and easy to navigate.
The glacier has been rapidly receding for the past few years, and you may notice the signs along the way that will show you how far the glacier reached in the past and how much volume lost in the couple of hundred years.
If this is a once in a lifetime adventure for you, then consider this epic tour - hike through glacier with helicopter transfer - though it's pretty expensive.
BEACHES
West Coast beaches are not that welcoming as beaches in the Abel Tasman National Park, but they share about the same amount of sandflies.
And you can bet, they will make sure you feel welcomed.
This is the time when the bug repellent comes really handy. But there are always two sides to a coin, and most of the beaches are deserted or there are only a few people, so you do need to share this beautiful part of the world with the crowds.
So if you like the beaches like we do, just for the simple fact, that you are close to the ocean where you can only sit, inhale the fresh air, and listen to the waves, you won't get disappointed.
PAPAROA NATIONAL PARK
Famous for a lush coastal forest, abundant wildlife, limestone cliffs, caves, and deep canyons, Paparoa National Park is full of things to do.
The most popular place to visit in this park is the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, but there are many more things to see and do.
Explore Punakaiki Cavern, walk around Pororari River, or enjoy the Ballroom Overhang, a massive limestone cliff.
On top of that, the newest New Zealand Great Walk, simply named Paparoa Track, was opened recently, and you have now a chance to fully explore this inspiring national park on a multi-day trek.
With lush forests, turbulent rivers, majestic mountains, and unique limestone landscapes, Paparoa National Park provides visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the West Coast.
Normally, three days are recommended for the hikers (and two days for mountain bikers).
PUNAKAIKI PANCAKE ROCKS AND BLOWHOLES
We all know that Mother Nature is the best artist, but this time, she has outdone herself.
From Greymouth, drive about 45 kilometers towards the north until you reach one of the most stunning places on the West Coast, the famous Pancake Rocks.
These rock formations can easily prove our point as they really look like someone has stacked giant pancakes on a plate.
A short, well-maintained trail will show you the best places and viewpoints in this area.
You can finish the loop in about 30 minutes.
TRACKS AND HIKES
Copland Track, Paparoa Track, Truman Track, and many more. One thing is sure, West Coast is no short of amazing hikes and treks.
In fact, Truman Track was one of our favorite shorts hikes on the NZ West Coast.
We walked down the beach in the pouring rain and discovered this incredible beach and even more impressive cove where we hid from the rain. As the huge waves were menacingly lashing the rocks and the beach, we were really glad that we could stay here for a while before catching a breath to hike up back to our car.
You can spend days exploring the West Coast's natural gems, so plan your South Island itinerary in detail.
As you are slowly getting closer to Westport, you can finish your epic journey along the West Coast at the Cape Foulwind.
There is a really pleasant walkway, that will take you along the fur seal breeding colony, informative boards about Maori history and early explorers, scenic coastal views, and a lighthouse.
This place got the menacing name for a reason, so pack a trusty windbreaker.
From here, continue to a city of Nelson, and if you are planning on crossing the Cook Strait by ferry to North Island, don't froget to check out our North Island Road Trip itinerary.
HOW TO GET TO THE WEST COAST
From Wanaka, a popular town south of West Coast, drive northwest to Haast via State Highway 6.
It takes about two hours to get to West Coast from Wanaka however, the road itself is very scenic, and there are many stops along the way, so it's definitely going to take you longer. If you start your day in Queenstown, add at least one hour to your itinerary.
From the north, pass by Westport, which lies at the northernmost point of the West Coast road. You don't need to actually drive through Westport, as it's a detour.
And one last tip, make sure you have enough gas for the journey, and in case you need to refill your gas tank in either Fox Glacier of Franz Josef, be prepared that the fuel here is very expensive. But that's how it is with popular tourist places where you don't have much of a choice.
You can also reach the West Coast from Christchurch via the scenic State Highway 73.
You will follow the road all the way to Arthur's Pass, where you can do one of the best day hikes in NZ, Avalanche Peak, and from there, it's 78 kilometers to Kumara Junction.
In fact, there is one more road left, State Highway 7, that will take you from Christchurch to the West Coast (you will pass Hanmer Springs on the way).
WHERE TO STAY ALONG THE WEST COAST
There are plenty of hotels on the West Coast. Because it's a very popular tourist area, make sure you book your room in advance, especially in the high season.
Accommodation on the West Coast is generally more expensive as it is an isolated area, so be prepared to spend a little bit more than usual. As we had our own car, we stayed in the campsites (and a DOC hut for one night) along the way to reduce the cost of travel.
We've handpicked some of the best hotels on the West Coast to ease out the selection process for you.
Greymouth | Alpine Rose Motel - This accommodation offers spacious rooms with basic kitchenette, free parking, and very convenient location on the main road in Greymouth. Great value for money.
Hokitika | Mountain Jade Backpackers - This hostel is clean, cheap, has a free Wi-Fi, and an excellent location. In other words, Mountain Jade Backpackers has everything you need at this price range. One of the best hostels for backpackers on the West Coast.
Franz Josef Glacier | Rainforest Retreat - Set among native bush, Rainforest Retreat offers comfortable accommodation in the popular town. From very affordable basic rooms to a luxury treehouse, every traveler will find a room that fits their budget. The location is very peaceful and quiet, the rooms are modern, clean and tidy. And they also have dormitories for backpackers.
Fox Glacier | Rainforest Motel - Set in lush green gardens, Rainforest Motel offers spacious and clean rooms with kitchen or kitchenette, free on-site parking, superb views of the mountains from the property, and great location (walking distance to a nearby shops and cafes) are the reasons why to stay here.
Wanaka | Ramada Resort by Wyndham Wanaka - Great quiet location, nice and clean rooms with kitchenette, seasonal (heated) pool, fitness center, and self-service laundry facility, Ramada Resort by Wyndham is very popular choice among visitors.
HOW MANY DAYS YOU NEED FOR EXPLORING THE WEST COAST
There is no clear answer to this question, and it really depends on how much time you have for New Zealand. Nevertheless, we will help you to figure out how many days for the West Coast you may need.
Although you can drive from Haast to Westport or vice versa in one day, it would have been a very long and tiring day. The distance between those two towns is more than 417 kilometers on a winding road, so you would spend a lot of time driving, and would not have much time for sightseeing.
If we can give you any advice, allow yourself at least two days for the West Coast. At least. Three days will allow you to enjoy the journey in a much more relaxed manner.
Three to five days will allow you to explore the glacier country properly, enjoy the scenic drive, and include a multiday trek in your West Coast itinerary (for example the Copland Track). Although five days might be too many days for this area, especially if you are on a vacation with limited time.
Anything between five to seven days on the West Coast will allow you to hike the Copland Track or Paparoa Track and several day hikes around the glaciers, do some activities, tours, and spend the time in a leisure manner.
Even though the West Coast offers one of the finest sceneries in New Zealand, there is one relevant (and not that pleasant) thing we haven't talked about yet.
The weather.
West Coast is one of the rainiest places in the country, and the weather can be really bad there. Severe weather can happen anytime in this part of the country, and you should always be prepared for this.
When you have an extra day, you can always wait or swap the activities before the weather clears up.
To make a conclusion, if you have only a week or two in South Island, save between two to three days for the West Coast. If your itinerary is more flexible, and you want to include a trek, allow yourself three to five days.
Seven days on West Coast (or more) is rather an option for long-term travelers who have several months to explore New Zealand.
WHEN TO VISIT NZ WEST COAST
Every season has its pros and cons, and you can't say with certainty, when is the best time to visit the West Coast of New Zealand.
Even in the summer, the trails can be flooded, or roads damaged.
The weather in this region is so unpredictable that you never know whether it's going to rain or you will enjoy a clear day.
From our experience, as we spent a week on the West Coast in October, it rained a lot, so you should be prepared for the spells of bad weather.
We checked the weather forecast daily in the local Visitor Centers along the way, and it was a quite depressing thing to do. Monday - rain, Tuesday - heavy rain, Wednesday - heavy rain, and the whole week looked like this.
Luckily we had plenty of time, so we could plan our itinerary very carefully and change it daily.
Summer is the high season in the West Coast and brings crowds to these areas. Winter arrives with much colder days and frosty mornings.
Despite the fact, that the West Coast receives a lot of rain, dry spells do occur throughout the year.
You just need a little bit of luck.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
HOW TO GET AROUND
Getting around New Zealand without a car is not impossible, though you are going to miss an awful lot of amazing places.
The thing is, this is your holiday, and you will probably have a limited time in New Zealand.
You can take a bus and see landscapes through windows, but that's not a proper substitute.
You really should rent a car for a New Zealand road trip.
It's the fastest, most efficient way to get around New Zealand, and if you split the price between your companions, also very economic.
The only real question you need to ask yourself is whether you want to rent a car and sleep in the motels or rent a big campervan and sleep in the designated campsites.
There are a few more alternative variations, such as, rent a small (cheap) car and sleep in the tent in the campsites, or rent a big campervan and sleep in the campsites and motels. That's the most expensive way to travel around the West Coast.
WHAT TO PACK
Don't let the weather dampen your mood or trip.
West Coast is notoriously known as a wet destination, and if you come unprepared, a cold and rainy day can turn your perfect trip into a miserable one in the blink of an eye.
Make sure you've packed adequate gear.
No matter which attractions you've included in your itinerary, you should have a solid waterproof jacket. Even if you luck out with sunshine on the West Coast road trip, the chance is that it will rain at some point on your holiday.
Sadly there are a lot of sandflies in the West Coast, so a reliable bug repellent is a must. And don't forget to cover up, as that's the best strategy against the swarms of these incredibly annoying bugs.
Use sunscreen even on a cloudy day to protect your skin.
Bring a comfortable daypack for day hikes, and put in an extra dry sack to protect your valuables and electronics such as camera or phone.
We saw many people wearing only sneakers even on rainy days, which might be fine if you are doing only quick stops along the way, but we still think you should have proper hiking boots, especially for day hikes or multiday treks. Some people - ourselves included - just don't like to spend a day walking in wet shoes.
If you are camping, you are going to need a warm sleeping bag. We always prefer to bring our own, especially for road trips, when we can pack a little bit more than we would have on let's say a backpacking adventure around Malaysia or Peru.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
