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Greymouth

Greymouth Miners' Memorial
West Coast
Greymouth Miners' Memorial, West Coast

By Stewart Nimmo

Visit the charming West Coast town of Greymouth – a vibrant community steeped in history and serving as a gateway to the region’s countless outdoor attractions.

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Getting there

Driving
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Learn more about driving in New Zealand

On this page:

— Highlights
— Nearby attractions
— Accommodation
— Restaurants and cafes
— Getting there
— Operators and deals

Highlights

TranzAlpine Cass bank from Long Hill
Christchurch - Canterbury
TranzAlpine Cass bank from Long Hill, Christchurch - Canterbury

By KiwiRail

Greymouth is the largest town on the South Island’s West Coast, a remote stretch of coastline that hugs the Tasman Sea, known for its wild beaches, alpine forests, and glacial rivers. A once thriving hub for gold mining, coal production, and pounamu (jade) trading, Greymouth today is home to 8,000 residents and offers some of the country’s best hiking and cycling trails.

TranzAlpine

Linking Greymouth with Ōtautahi Christchurch, the TranzAlpine train is hailed as one of the world’s most scenic railway journeys. Spanning over 200 kilometres, the historic route over the Southern Alps features an impressive lineup of attractions – from alpine lakes and pristine forest to Victorian-era viaducts.

Pounamu Pathway: Māwhera Pā

Located at one of the Māori earliest settlements, the Māwhera Pā exhibitions explores the fascinating history of the pounamu (greenstone) trading routes across the Southern Alps – many of which are still followed today. Highlights include giant sculptures produced by Wētā Workshop and local Māori legends, many of which were only recorded orally until now.

Shantytown

Step back in time with a visit to Shantytown. Modelled on an authentic 19th-century gold mining settlement, Shantytown brings New Zealand’s gold rush era to life. Explore the historic village, then hunt for gold using traditional panning techniques.

Monteith’s Brewery

Monteith’s Brewery(opens in new window) has been a cornerstone of the West Coast community for over 150 years. Today, it is one of Greymouth’s top attractions, offering guided tours showcasing how its award-winning beers are crafted. 

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Nearby attractions

Aerial view of the Hokitika Gorge
West Coast
Hokitika Gorge, West Coast

By BareKiwi

With so much beautiful West Coast scenery at your doorstep, it's no surprise that Greymouth's best activities are outdoors. Travel tip: bring walking shoes.

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Just 45-minutes’ drive from Greymouth, the Pancake Rocks(opens in new window) are 30-million-year-old limestone formations that resemble stacks of pancakes jutting of the sea. If you have time, take the easy 20-minute Pancake Rocks Track, part of the stunning Paparoa National Park.

Hokitika Gorge Walk

The Hokitika Gorge Walk(opens in new window) is one of the West Coast’s more popular trails, attracting nearly 40,000 visitors each year. Highlights include the dramatically beautiful Hokitika Gorge and a 90-metre swing bridge. The loop track typically takes and hour and a half to complete and is located 58 km (36 miles) from Greymouth.

Brunner Mine Site Walk

The Brunner Mine(opens in new window) is one of New Zealand’s most significant industrial heritage sites. Just 11 km from Greymouth, this easy one-hour loop walk the Brunner suspension bridge and historic ruins, offering an insight into the region’s coal mining past.

West Coast Wilderness Trail

One of New Zealand’s great rides, this West Coast Wilderness Trail(opens in new window) follows the coast down to the Taramakau River, then inland via Lake Kaniere to Hokitika, finishing at the historic gold town of Ross. Graded as easy, the full cycle trail takes 4-5 days to complete and offers a scenic journey through some of the West Coast’s most stunning landscapes.

Old Ghost Road Track

This old gold miners’ track is now a popular mountain biking and hiking trail, linking the historic dray road at Lyell with the Mōkihinui River. Stretching 85 km, the Old Ghost Road Track(opens in new window) offers a spectacular variety of landscapes, including native forest, tussock-covered ridgelines, riverbeds, and remote valleys. Both ends of the trail are approximately a two-hour drive from Greymouth.

Accommodation

Theatre Royal Hotel
West Coast
Theatre Royal Hotel, West Coast

By Theatre Royal Hotel

Greymouth offers a variety of accommodation options, from historic hotels to seaside camping spots.

Theatre Royal Hotel

The historic Theatre Royal Hotel features six themed rooms, each named after a figure connected with the hotel’s past, including Richard Seddon, New Zealand’s former prime minister. Every room is unique, blending Victorian décor and antique furnishings with modern amenities.

Copthorne Hotel Greymouth

Located in the heart of Greymouth, Copthorne Hotel Greymouth offers comfortable accommodation with spectacular views. Book direct for exclusive rates.

Greymouth Seaside Top 10 Holiday Park

The Greymouth Seaside Top 10 Holiday Park(opens in new window) offers a stunning beachfront location, just minutes from the town centre. The park’s modern facilities cater for all budgets and preferences, whether you’re travelling with a campervan, pitching a tent, or looking for a comfortable cabin or motel unit.

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Restaurants and cafes

Sevenpenny
West Coast
Sevenpenny, West Coast

By Stewart Nimmo

The West Coast is renowned its seafood, particularly whitebait, crayfish, and blue cod. Locally caught, it is a staple on most menus, from restaurants to roadside stands.

Sevenpenny

In Greymouth’s Town Square, you’ll find Sevenpenny(opens in new window) – an eatery that’s got you covered from morning to night. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the café also offers craft beers and cocktails in the evening. In between means, grab a bite from the bar menu – thrice-cooked fries, jalapeño poppers, and buttermilk chicken anyone?

Paroa Hotel

On the outskirts of Greymouth, Paroa Hotel(opens in new window) has been serving up the best of West Coast hospitality and cuisine for over 70 years. The whitebait patties and fish of the day come highly recommended by locals and visitors alike.

Buccleugh’s on High

A local favourite, Buccleugh’s on High(opens in new window) serves up hearty classics like roast of the day, blue cod and chips, and whitebait patties, a West Coast staple. Enjoy generous portions.

Theatre Royal Hotel

At the historic Theatre Royal Hotel, the emphasis is on simple, honest fare made from local, seasonal ingredients. Highlights include fish of the day, rib-eye steak, and freshly made pasta.  

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Getting there

Lake Sarah in the snow, TranzAlpine
Christchurch - Canterbury
Lake Sarah in the snow, TranzAlpine, Christchurch - Canterbury

By Tourism NZ

Although remote, Greymouth is easy to reach. One of the most popular routes is the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth. It one of the world’s great train journeys, covering 223 kilometres (139 miles) in just five hours.

Alternatively, Greymouth is a 7-hour scenic drive via State Highway 6 from Queenstown or a 3-hour drive via State Highway 7 from Christchurch.

The nearest international gateway is Christchurch Airport, while Hokitika Airport, just 30 minutes away, offers domestic flights from Christchurch Airport.

Greymouth is also part of the national bus route(opens in new window), making it accessible without a car. 

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