Kaitaia - Wellington - Christchurch

Day 12: Karamea to Arthur's Pass

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Karamea - Westport 1.25 hrs  96/60 Westport - Greymouth 1.25 hrs  100/63 Greymouth - Arthur's Pass 1 hr  84/53   Totals for Day 3.5 hrs  280/175

Karamea - Westport - Greymouth - Arthur's Pass

Karamea is at the southern end of the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s nine Great Walks. This relaxing coastal town is adjacent to the Kahurangi National Park. From here you can follow trails along rivers, through native forest and natural limestone arches. A guided walk will let you discover a protected cave network. You can also kayak, mountain bike, fish, watch birds or simply relax on a deserted beach.

From Karamea the road heads south along the coast before turning inland at Little Whanganui and rejoining the coast at the Mokihinui River. From here to Westport you’ll pass through several small townships with lovely beaches, cafes and galleries. Stretch your legs at the Charming Creek Walkway, a very scenic hike along a disused railway line complete with tunnel. Historic Denniston is home to the ‘incline’, site of a steep braked railway built in 1879 to transport coal down from the plateau above.

Westport is known as a coal mining town, but it’s also a base for outdoor adventures. Visit the local coal mining museum, then strap on your walking shoes to investigate the seal colony. Black water rafting, jet boating, horse trekking and surf rafting are other opportunities for outdoor excitement.

Scenic Highlights

Charming Creek walkway, Seddonville
Hike along a disused railway line through tunnels, over bridges and along deep gorges. Enjoy native forest, waterfalls and sweeping views.

Oparara basin
Kayak and hike through fascinating limestone formations and ancient native forests in the southwest corner of the Kahurangi National Park.

Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
Enjoy a close encounter with New Zealand fur seals in their natural habitat on the wild west coast of the South Island.

Activities

West Coast
Horse Treks (4), Jet Boating (2), Walking/Trekking (3)

Tour and Sightseeing

West Coast
Walking/Trekking (4)

Karamea - Westport - Greymouth - Arthur's Pass

Westport is a coal mining town, but it’s also a base for outdoor adventures. Visit the mining museum, then strap on your walking shoes to investigate the seal colony. Black water rafting, jet boating, horse trekking and surf rafting are other opportunities for outdoor excitement.

The road to Greymouth hugs the coast, providing spectacular views of wild beaches and the tempestuous Tasman Sea. At Charleston, formerly a gold town, you can arrange underground rafting and cave exploring trips. Punakaiki is famous for its ancient pancake rocks and booming blowholes. It is the centrepiece of the Paparoa National Park, which is packed with a variety of stunning landscapes. The town of Runanga offers an interesting walk to Coal Creek Falls.

Greymouth has a long gold mining history. It’s the largest town on the west coast and is known for its awesome seascapes. The local brewery runs tours or you can absorb some west coast history at the museum. White water rafting, sea kayaking and gold panning are other things to do.

Scenic Highlights

Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes
Gaze in wonder at nature's artistry as columns of water shoot skyward from rocks that resemble giant stacks of pancakes.

Cape Foulwind Seal Colony
Enjoy a close encounter with New Zealand fur seals in their natural habitat on the wild west coast of the South Island.

Activities

Karamea - Westport - Greymouth - Arthur's Pass

Greymouth has a long gold mining history. It’s the largest town on the west coast and is known for its awesome seascapes. The local brewery runs tours or you can catch up with west coast history at the museum. White water rafting, sea kayaking and gold panning are other things to do.

Classic west coast river and forest scenery leads you east. Rushing water, impressive bridges and tiny towns gradually give way to the misty mountains of the Southern Alps.

The route known as Arthur’s Pass was first used by Maori tribes crossing to the west coast to find pounamu (jade). Today it’s a sophisticated mountain pass, memorable for its scenery as well as its breathtaking civil engineering.

The settlement of Arthur’s Pass is a base for climbing, hiking, hunting and skiing adventures in the adjacent national park. There’s a good choice of shorter walks. Native birds commonly seen include the kea, tui and bellbird.

Scenic Highlights

Arthur's Pass National Park
Snowy peaks, scree slopes, steep gorges and wide braided rivers are characteristics that make the Arthur's Pass National Park unforgettable.

Cave Stream Scenic Reserve
A limestone cave nearly 600 metres long provides a unique, and rather wet, adventure at Cave Stream Scenic Reserve.

Craigieburn Conservation Area
Enjoy the sheltered forest valleys and rocky tussock slopes of this alpine park. Follow a short nature trail or stretch out along a four-hour hike.

Punakaiki pancake rocks and blowholes
Gaze in wonder at nature's artistry as columns of water shoot skyward from rocks that resemble giant stacks of pancakes.

Activities

Christchurch - Canterbury
Hunting (7), Skiing (7), Walking/Trekking (17)

West Coast
Kayaking – Salt Water (2), Rafting (4)

Tour and Sightseeing

Christchurch - Canterbury
Hunting (3), Skiing (2), Walking/Trekking (16)