About our region

Location

The West Coast's Northern region is on New Zealand's South Island, approximately 226km south of Nelson on the opposite side of the Island from Christchurch, the largest of New Zealand's southern cities.

Journeying to the Northern West Coast by road offers a kaleidoscope of spectacular scenery. Take a four-hour drive through the mountainscapes of the Lewis Pass from Christchurch and Kaikoura, or along the majestic Buller River via Nelson or Marlborough - see maps.

There are daily Intercity bus services to Westport from Greymouth, Picton and Nelson, and several other shuttle companies and tour operators who service the region.

Travel in comfort through the Southern Alps on the famous TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth, then head north along the "Coast Road" (SH 6) - described as one of the world's best road trips by the Lonely Planet Travel Guide.

If time is short, you can fly into Westport from Wellington in under an hour. There are two flights a day from Wellington, or choose from a wide range of regular flights from other parts of New Zealand.

Landscape

The Northern West Coast is an area of spectacular beauty and diversity with its mountains, lakes, rivers, rainforest and rugged coastline. We have a mild climate with over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year, compared to 1,500 in London, and 2,100 in Melbourne.

Because 86% of our land is under conservation management, including two National Parks - Kahurangi and Paparoa - you will find yourself immersed in the pristine natural environment of our native wilderness, ecological areas and wildlife reserves.

Lifestyle

The Northern West Coast is where you will find the real New Zealand. Life moves at a different pace here, so be prepared to slow down a notch or two.

The hospitality of 'Coasters' is legendary; it is a place where local folk take the time to talk to you about our history and the best places to go. Who better to show you around, take you fishing or for a round of golf, and advise you on what's worth a look?

Here is where you can experience the best of what New Zealand has to offer.

If outdoor adventure is your thing, you can choose from white water and underworld rafting, glow worm cave tours, horse trekking, surfing, fishing, mountain biking, hiking and rock climbing.

For more leisurely pursuits, try some of the region's gentler nature walks or stroll along one of the beaches that characterise our coastline. The Northern West Coast features a tantalising array of dining experiences where you can sample fresh local produce at its best, as well as galleries, shopping, museums and a renowned local boutique brewery.

Around every corner you will find something new to see, taste or do.

History

There are plenty of locals that will regale you with stories about the region's history, or take you to visit one of our many and varied historic sites.

Few Maori lived in the Northern West Coast prior to the arrival of Europeans, however they had many greenstone (pounamu) trails through the area and had camps where they stayed for short periods of time on their way to trade the highly prized stone.

The earliest European settlers were gold miners - between 1864 and 1867 the population increased from 250 to 26,000 due to the gold rush. From 1867 coal mining began and in 1895 Denniston (near Westport) was NZ's most productive coal mine. The Denniston Incline - known as the 8th Wonder of the World by locals - was built to carry the coal down from the mine, and carried 13 million tons between 1880 and 1967.

Reefton was the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to have a public electricity supply, in 1888.

Profile

Area:	8,574 km²
Population:	11,000
Temperature:	Year Round Average	10°C
	Summer	15-27°C
	Summer Average	19°C
	Winter	9°C seldom below 0°C
Weather:	Sun Shine	2000 hrs per annum
	Rain Fall	2000 mm per annum