Wellington - Greymouth - Queenstown

Day 2: Nelson to Greymouth

On this page: Travel time:   Km/Miles Nelson - Westport 3 hrs  226/141 Westport - Punakaiki 0.75 hr  57/36 Punakaiki - Greymouth 0.5 hr  45/28   Totals for Day 4.25 hrs  328/205

Nelson - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth

The city of Nelson is home to a fascinating community of beach, bush and art lovers. From here you can organise yourself an eco-adventure or become immersed in the local creative culture. Every year the city hosts the Montana New Zealand Wearable Art Awards.

The road to Westport is scenic and interesting. If you have plenty of time, turn off at Belgrove and loop past the Nelson Lakes National Park. The museum at Murchison will tell you all about the massive earthquake that shook the region in 1929. Pan for gold in Lyell Creek before you navigate the dark, forbidding Buller Gorge. At Hawks Crag the road has been hacked out of solid rock – you’ll drive under a dramatic overhang.

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

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

Nelson
Bird Watching (3), Boat Cruises (9), Fishing – Fresh Water (6), Fishing – Salt Water (1)

West Coast
Scenic Flights (7), Walking/Trekking (3)

Tour and Sightseeing

Nelson
Boat Cruises (6)

Tour and Sightseeing

West Coast
Scenic Flights (1), Walking/Trekking (4)

Nelson - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth

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.

The road to Punakaiki hugs the coast, providing spectacular views of wild beaches and the tempestuous Tasman Sea. At Charleston, formerly a prosperous gold town, you can arrange underground rafting and cave exploring trips.

Punakaiki is famous for its pancake rocks and booming blowholes. It is the centrepiece of the Paparoa National Park, which is packed with a variety of stunning landscapes. There are many excellent coastal and inland walks in this area. The pancake rock formations date back about 30 million years and were created by layers of limestone being overlaid by rock and clay. When the tide is right, the blow holes are spectacular.

Scenic Highlights

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.

Paparoa National Park
Discover lush native forests, amazing pancake rocks, delicate cave formations, underground streams, limestone canyons and towering ocean cliffs - all in one beautiful national park.

Activities

West Coast
Horse Treks (4), Jet Boating (2), Rafting (4)

Nelson - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth

Punakaiki is famous for its pancake rocks and booming blowholes. It is the centrepiece of the Paparoa National Park, which is packed with a variety of stunning landscapes. There are many excellent coastal and inland walks in this area. The pancake rock formations date back about 30 million years. When the tide is right, Punakaiki’s blow holes are spectacular.

The road to Greymouth is breathtaking. White capped breakers and rugged rocks on one side, bush-clad mountains on the other side. The town of Runanga is a classic mining village – it offers an interesting walk to nearby Coal Creek Falls. To see interesting old gold mining areas, look for the Point Elizabeth walkway.

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.

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.

Paparoa National Park
Discover lush native forests, amazing pancake rocks, delicate cave formations, underground streams, limestone canyons and towering ocean cliffs - all in one beautiful national park.

Activities

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

Tour and Sightseeing

West Coast
Heritage Attractions (1)