West Coast Guide
Wild beaches, glacier valleys, rainforest and gold rush history — all within reach of the village.
The West Coast is New Zealand at its least tamed. A thin strip of land between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, where rainforest runs down to black sand beaches and the weather does what it likes.
Viking Village sits at Kaiata, ten minutes from Greymouth, which puts you within an easy drive of just about all of it. Here's what's worth your time.
The TranzAlpine scenic train runs daily between Christchurch and Greymouth, and is one of the great train journeys in the world.
Grouped by how far you'll be driving. Every drive time is from the village gate at Kaiata.
12 min drive
A recreated 1860s gold rush town with a working steam train, a schoolhouse, a printer and gold panning you can actually try. Genuinely good with kids.
Official site for Shantytown Heritage Park (opens in a new tab)10 min drive
One of New Zealand's best known breweries, right in town. Tours, tastings and a decent feed.
Official site for Monteith's Brewery, Greymouth (opens in a new tab)15 min drive
An easy coastal track through bush to lookouts over the Tasman, with a fur seal colony at the northern end. Around two hours return.
Official site for Point Elizabeth Walkway (opens in a new tab)15 min drive
Industrial ruins and a historic bridge on the Grey River, and the site of New Zealand's worst mining disaster. Quiet, atmospheric and free.
Official site for Brunner Mine Site (opens in a new tab)10 min drive
A riverside walk into town, with cafés and the main street at one end.
Official site for Greymouth Floodwall & Mawhera Quay (opens in a new tab)15 min drive
Driftwood, black sand and no one else. One of the best sunset spots on the coast.
Official site for Rapahoe & Nine Mile Beach (opens in a new tab)Long days, warm enough for the beaches and the lakes, and the best odds on clear weather. Book early, it's the busy season.
Settled weather, fewer people and low golden light through the bush. Arguably the best time to come.
Snow on the ranges, dramatic seas and empty tracks. The outdoor spas and the Great Hall come into their own.
Big rivers, full waterfalls and whitebait season, which is a West Coast institution. Look for fritters on every menu.
It rains on the West Coast. That's why the rainforest is a rainforest, and frankly it's when the place looks its best.
When it's coming down, try Shantytown, a Monteith's tour, the galleries and carving studios in Hokitika, the Treetop Walk (better in mist, honestly), or the Glow Worm Dell after dark.
Or stay put. Fire up the Great Hall, get the spa going, and watch it fall through the trees.
Four handcrafted barrels in the rainforest, ten minutes from Greymouth and a short drive from the best of the coast.