New Zealand's West Coast is famous for its scenic beauty and Greymouth is the ideal place to base yourself while you explore the 5 national parks: Kahurangi, Paparoa, Arthur's Pass, Westland and Mt Aspiring. Visit glaciers, rainforests, remote beaches and take in the majestic Southern Alps.
Tranzalpine
One of the world's great rail journeys, the TranzAlpine travels between Christchurch and Greymouth daily. The journey is 223.8km long, takes four and a half hours and includes 19 tunnels and four viaducts, the highest being the Staircase reaching 73m.
Swimming
Only 100m from Aachen Place Motel, the Westland Recreation Centre is the sports and recreation hub of Greymouth and the wider region. It has swimming pools, hydroslides, hot tub, sauna, gym, group fitness classes, sports stadium for multi-sporting codes, an activity/meeting room and much more.
On Yer Bike
There are 300 acres of West Coast rainforest and farmland available to explore by quad bike or buggy, so there is definitely no shortage of mud puddles and scenic views. The perfect balance between adrenaline and scenery! This 'off-road bike playground' has a variety of winding tracks, ranging from easy to challenging, meaning there are off-road quad options available for all levels of ability.
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes
These coastal rocks are remarkable pieces of natural sculpture. Looking like enormous stacks of pancakes, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes are a major New Zealand visitor attraction. Formed 30 million years ago from fragments of skeletons and shells, these limestone rocks have been sculpted over millions of years by rain, wind and sea water.
The National Kiwi Centre
The National Kiwi Centre is situated in the heart of Hokitika and provides the opportunity to get up close and personal with New Zealand's national icons. During your visit you can take part in hand feeding the giant eels. You can also view the tuatara, New Zealand's oldest living dinosaur.
West Coast Walking Tracks
There are many gorgeous walking tracks on the West Coast to suit all ages, stages and abilities: Coal Creek Falls Walkway, Woods Creek Track, Point Elizabeth Track, Bain Bay Walkway, Arnold Dam Walkway, Brunner Mine Site, King Domain Walk, Floodwall Walk, Croesus Track.
Garth Wilson Jade
Authentic West Coast jade, found by Garth's family in local rivers and mountains. Each piece is carved by Garth personally, not mass produced, each piece is unique. Visit Garth and have a special piece of true West Coast jade carved for you personally.
Shantytown
A recreated 19th-century mining town offering steam train rides, gold panning and historic reenactments. West Coast isolation, extreme weather and rugged terrain produced stories of fortitude and ingenuity. Shantytown tells these pioneering stories through a fascinating mix of experience and displays.
The Rocky Shore
A little advertised attraction, The Rocky Shore at 12 Mile Bridge on the Coast Road to Punakaiki is a fabulous natural rocky shore bountiful with natural sealife. Many large orange starfish, sea anemonies, small crabs and little fish abound in their natural and easy to explore environment. Best viewed at low tide, this natural attraction is only 20 minutes' drive from Greymouth and can easily be fitted in during the drive to the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes up the gorgeous Coast Road.
West Coast Golf Courses
Greymouth, Hokitika and Westport are all 18 hole courses. Whataroa and Karamea are 9 hole courses and Reefton has a 12 hole course. All the courses have reasonable green fees, you can play all year round and tee off times are pretty much when you feel like turning up. The Greymouth Golf Course club has amazing wood carvings throughout the course carved from trees which once stood there.
Monteith's Brewery Tours and Café
From humble beginnings in 1868, the brewery now called Monteith's has won international acclaim for its boutique beers. The brewery is open for tours so you can observe the entire beer-making process and then finish in the bar with a formal tasting of each of the seven beer styles. The history of this traditional brewery is shown in its on-site mini-museum.
Westcoast Treetop Walk & Café
An exhilarating treetop adventure among temperate rainforest giants. Experience life with the birds high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. Easy access for all to enjoy along a steel platform 20 metres high and over 450 metres long. Enjoy a leisurely 45 minute to 1 hour stroll through the beautiful West Coast rainforest tree tops. One of the top things to do in Hokitika, only 15 minutes' drive south of the town centre.