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Best Things to Do
Top 10 Best Things to Do in West Coast [2025]
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Lake Matheson
4.6
/5
58 reviews
6.1
Based on 991 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Address: West Coast Region 7886, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
A must-visit for photographers
Mirror-like reflection & nearby glacier
29% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Is there any other form of beauty? Lake Matheson: The mirror-like pearl of New Zealand's South Island
On the west coast of New Zealand's South Island, only 6 kilometers away from the Fox Glacier, there is a dreamlike body of water - Lake Matheson. As one of New Zealand's most representative natural landscapes, it is famous for its beautiful mirror reflections. It also carries New Zealand's unique cultural imprint and is a must-see destination for travelers.
When the mist dissipates in the early morning, Lake Matheson removes its hazy veil and reveals its stunning face. When there is no wind, the lake is like a silver mirror, reflecting the towering snow-capped peaks of New Zealand's highest peaks, Aoraki (Mount Cook) and Mount Tasman. The blue sky, white clouds, mountains and clear lake water merge into one, forming a magnificent picture that is difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion. If it happens to be sunrise or sunset, the golden glow will cover the snow-capped peaks with neon, and the lake surface will be covered with warm orange ripples, which will shock you with a beautiful view that will be unforgettable for a lifetime. Because of this purity and magnificence, the scenery of Lake Matheson is engraved on the back of the New Zealand 50-dollar bill, becoming a symbol of the country's image.
The lakeside trail is about 5.5 kilometers long. You can enjoy the lake and mountains from different angles along the wooden plank road and forest trails. The "blue mushroom" - the iconic blue-green milk mushroom on the New Zealand dollar is hidden in a secret place on the trail. Hikers can slow down their pace, shuttle through the primeval forest, and look for its traces among the moss-covered dead trees and ferns. When you find that unique blue, it's like completing a dialogue across time and space with the cultural symbols of New Zealand.
The best season to visit Lake Matheson is from November to April of the following year, when the weather is clear and the reflection is clear. It is recommended to pay attention to the weather forecast in advance and choose to go in the morning or evening when there is no wind to enjoy the most perfect mirror wonder. The trail is moderately difficult and suitable for the whole family to walk, but you need to prepare waterproof hiking shoes, as some sections of the trail are wet and muddy. In addition, the lakeside cafe also provides a viewing and resting place. After the hike, you may want to sit here for a while, enjoy coffee and dessert, and reminisce the stunning scenery along the way.
nice easy walk. 1.5hr loop around the lake. slightly wet walk.
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Pancake Rocks Lookout
4.8
/5
53 reviews
5.3
44.2 km from downtown
Address: Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk, West Coast 7873, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Golden sunset renders the texture of the rock formations
Encounter lazy New Zealand seals on the trail
Verified user reviews
Thousand-layered rock, also known as Thousand-layered pancake rock, is a unique scenic spot on the west coast of South Island.
The scenery is spectacular. Huge rocks shaped like thousand-layered pancakes protrude from the cliffs into the sea, some are pillars supporting the sky, and some are connected into a piece, which is magnificent. Stop and watch ~ gusts of sea breeze, layers of waves, and birds singing; move to change the scenery ~ the ingenious and colorful works of nature are impressed by the beauty and power of nature.
Comprehensive facilities. The trails, viewing platforms, and signboards in the scenic area are set up very scientifically and comprehensively. After entering the scenic area, follow the trail and go around clockwise to fully appreciate the entire scenic area without taking any detours; standing on the viewing platform, the most spectacular scenery is right in front of you, and you can see it at a glance; following the instructions of the signboard, you can not only increase your knowledge, but also take memorable photos.
Convenient transportation. Starting from Greymouth, it takes 45 minutes to drive north along the road to the scenic area gate on the side of the road. Parking is also very convenient. Many tourists choose it as the first stop of the counterclockwise tour around the South Island.
The Thousand Layer Rocks on New Zealand's South Island are a very unique natural landscape. The rocks on the seashore are naturally weathered into layers like a huge Thousand Layer Pancake, which is very magical. This geological landscape is called columnar rock. It is a miracle of natural formation on the coast and is definitely worth a visit.
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Fox Glacier Guiding
5.0
/5
16 reviews
5.1
From RUB 30351.38
>100 km from downtown
Phone +6437510825
Address: 44 Main Road, State Highway 6, Fox Glacier 7859, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
Highlights:
Helicopter glacier adventure
Helicopter glacier & icefall tour
Verified user reviews
If you don't mind the price, taking a helicopter to overlook the glacier is an ideal choice. A plane can seat 6 people, and it reflects the generosity of nature and the gift of God. The scenery is really unimaginable. Although it is very cold, it is worth it! You must go early. I heard that the glacier may no longer exist in a few years!
Fox Glacier helicopter tour is a highlight of New Zealand tour, you must go. Looking down at the glaciers, ice fields, glaciers, and hiking on the snowy ice is an unforgettable experience.
No.
4
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West Coast Glacier
4.0
/5
15 reviews
5.0
>100 km from downtown
Address: West Coast, South Island
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5-1 day
Highlights:
Close-up view of glacier changes
Explore Franz Josef Glacier
Verified user reviews
Two of the three major glaciers in New Zealand's South Island are located on the west coast, namely Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier. It is not easy to come here by land. Crossing mountains and ridges, it seems to have entered the primitive era along the way. It also proves from another perspective that this place is not much affected by humans and is primitive enough. Usually, there are several ways to visit glaciers, including helicopter sightseeing, canyon hiking, and ice climbing. I participated in the first two of Fox Glacier. Due to the influence of global warming, the lower edge of the glacier has been retreating towards the mountain, and only a large amount of rubble cut by the glacier remains in the canyon, which is frightening. However, it is still very beautiful to look down from a helicopter and land on the glacier. I hope that humans can implement emission reduction as soon as possible and protect our shared nature.
The West Coast Glacier area is a famous tourist area on the South Island of New Zealand. However, due to the unique geographical location of the West Coast, the warm and humid air currents from the sea are blocked by the Central Mountain Range when they come ashore, and the weather is changeable, so roads here are often closed!
No.
5
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Hokitika Beach Sign
4.4
/5
16 reviews
5.0
Based on 647 reviews
69.1 km from downtown
Address: 72 Beach Street, Hokitika 7810, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-3 hours
Highlights:
Dig unique NZ jade treasures
Breathtaking sunset views & horizon
Verified user reviews
If you haven't taken a photo with the driftwood decoration "HOKITIKA", you have not been to Hokitika or the west coast of the South Island. The first page of the Hokitika tourism brochure compiled by the New Zealand Tourism Board is a photo of the sunset accompanied by "HOKIDIKA".
Walk west from the town's clock tower for 3 minutes, pass through a small gatehouse, and Hokitika Beach is right in front of you, with the whistling sea breeze and the surging waves hitting the black stone beach.
The driftwood decoration and the stone green sofa not far away are the most eye-catching objects on the beach. When there are many tourists, they consciously line up to check in.
The residents of the town are almost obsessed with the driftwood "HOKIDIKA". Whenever a strong wind destroys part or all of the decoration, they must use the driftwood branches available everywhere on the beach to repair it as new within 24 hours.
The town is a paradise with only a few hundred people. As it is located on the west coast, the beach here is a great place to watch the sunset. However, the weather is changeable.
No.
6
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Franz Josef Glacier
4.9
/5
66 reviews
5.8
From RUB 19788.99
Based on 3,655 reviews
>100 km from downtown
Phone +6437520360
Address: West Coast 7886, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 3-5 hours
26% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
I went for a 19000 feet skydiving with skydive franz and the view of the glacier was just astonishing 🏔
Franz Josef Glacier is a famous glacier national park on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. There are hundreds of kilometers of snow-capped mountains here, and the snow has not melted all year round for tens of thousands of years. The ecological environment of the entire glacier is very good. The stream water flowing down from the melted glacier is clear and sweet. The scenery along the way is very beautiful. It is definitely a good place for hiking.
No.
7
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Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk
5.0
/5
54 reviews
4.2
Based on 2,451 reviews
44.1 km from downtown
Phone +6437311895
Address: West Coast Region 7873, New Zealand
Recommended sightseeing time: 2-3 hours
Highlights:
Geological textbook-like sedimentary rock layers
Watch the seawater spray 10 meters high at high tide
36% positive reviews
Verified user reviews
Thousand Layer Pancake Rock, a simple and intuitive name, is a unique scenic spot on the west coast.
The scenery is spectacular. Huge rocks shaped like thousand layers of pancakes protrude from the cliffs into the sea, some are pillars supporting the sky, some are connected into a piece, and the momentum is magnificent. Stop and watch ~ the sea breeze, the waves, and the birds are singing; move and change the scenery ~ the ingenious and colorful, and be impressed by the beauty and skill of nature.
Comprehensive facilities. The trails, viewing platforms, and signboards in the scenic area are set up very scientifically and comprehensively. After entering the scenic area, follow the trail and go around clockwise to fully appreciate the entire scenic area without taking any detours; standing on the viewing platform, the most spectacular scenery is right in front of you, and you can see it at a glance; following the instructions on the signboard, you can not only increase your knowledge, but also take memorable photos.
Convenient transportation. Starting from Greymouth, the car goes north along the road for 45 minutes to the gate of the scenic area on the side of the road, and parking is also very convenient. Many tourists choose it as the first stop on their counterclockwise tour of the South Island.
Parking and scenic spots are free. Enter from the entrance clockwise and visit in one direction. The natural scenery is really beautiful. If the water spray is at high tide, it will be very spectacular. The environment here is very beautiful and suitable for people of all ages to visit.
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