Getting to the West Coast

The West Coast lies between the Tasman Sea and the Southern Alps, on the South Island's west coast. This ruggedly beautiful region is one of the last bastions of untamed coastline and forest in New Zealand.

BY AIR:

The West Coast has two main airports - Westport and Hokitika. Air New Zealand operates a Christchurch-Hokitika route, and a Wellington-Westport route. Air West Coast operates scheduled flights around the West Coast.

BY ROAD:

CHRISTCHURCH TO GREYMOUTH: Follow Yaldhurst Road west out of the city for 5kms. Continue west on Old West Coast Road for 39kms, to Waddington. Join West Coast Road / State Highway 73 and continue west for 94kms to Arthur's Pass Village. Keep following State Highway 73 west for 78kms, passing through Arthur's Pass and the Southern Alps. At the coast turn right onto State Highway 6 and follow for 17kms into Greymouth.

Driving Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

CHRISTCHURCH TO WESTPORT: Follow State Highway 1 north for 60kms to Waipara. At Waipara turn left on State Highway 7 and head northwest for 153kms to Springs Junction. At Springs Junction follow State Highway 7 to Reefton. From Reefton follow State Highway 69 north to Inangahua Junction. At Inangahua Junction turn left and follow State Highway 6 for 40kms to State Highway 67. Turn left at State Highway 67 and continue for 6kms into Westport.

Driving Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

CHRISTCHURCH TO HOKITIKA: Follow Yaldhurst Road west out of the city for 5kms. Continue west on Old West Coast Road for 39kms, to Waddington. Join West Coast Road / State Highway 73 and continue west for 94kms to Arthur's Pass Village. Keep following State Highway 73 west for 78kms, passing through Arthur's Pass and the Southern Alps. At the coast turn left and follow State Highway 6 for 20kms to Hokitika.

Driving Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

QUEENSTOWN TO HOKITIKA: Follow the main road out of Queenstown for 18kms. Make a sharp left onto the Crown Range road, and follow the Crown Range for 49kms to Wanaka. From Wanaka follow State Highway 6 northwest to Haast, for 142kms. From Haast continue north on State Highway 6 for 280kms to Hokitika.

Driving Time: 6 hours 15 minutes

QUEENSTOWN TO FRANZ JOSEF: Follow the main road out of Queenstown for 18kms. Make a sharp left onto the Crown Range road, and follow the Crown Range for 49kms to Wanaka. From Wanaka follow State Highway 6 northwest to Haast, for 142kms. Continue north from Haast, for 145kms to Franz Josef.

Driving Time: 4 hours 30 minutes

NELSON TO WESTPORT: Follow State Highway 6 south out of Nelson, towards Murchison. Continue on State Highway 6 out of Murchison, then turn off to the right at Upper Buller Gorge Road. Continue heading southwest on State Highway 6 to Inangahua Junction. From Inangahua Junction continue on State Highway 6 for 46kms, to Westport.

Driving Time: 3 hours 5 minutes

BY RAIL:

The TranzAlpine is rated as one of the world's most scenic train journeys, and traverses the Southern Alps from Greymouth to Christchurch daily. The journey takes you from the wild West Coast, through the rugged Southern Alps, and out into the vast Canterbury Plains. A superb winter trip, the TranzAlpine is a great way to experience the constantly changing scenery of Canterbury and the West Coast.