West Coast Region
Set between the Tasman Sea and the unbroken chain of the Southern Alps, the magnificent
West Coast landscape stretches for 600km and encompasses towering mountains, mighty glaciers, tranquil lakes, wild rivers, pristine rainforests and five national parks. With such a stunning variety of landscape, you can take your pick of how to explore it, be it kayaking, rafting, fishing, caving, jetboating, heli-rafting, scenic flights, horse trekking, guided wilderness campouts, hiking, 4WD or quadbiking.
Climate
High rainfall during the cool winter months; mild summers with light winds.
Summer: 11 - 22°C
Winter: 4 - 11°C
Average rainfall: Ranging from 2200mm/year in Buller to 6500mm/year in Fiordland, and more in the Southern Alps.
Cool Facts
• Fox and Franz Josef are New Zealand’s lowest lying glaciers.
• The
West Coast has been an important source of pounamu (greenstone) for generations of Maori.
• New Zealand’s tallest mountain is Aoraki/Mount Cook, located in the National Park by the same name.
• The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes put on a fantastic show at high tide!
• The Buller Festival, held the first weekend in March, is the only festival of its kind. Events include kayak slalom, white-water raft cross and a down-river race crossed with a roller derby!
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