The West Coast New Zealand
real West Coast Self Drive Travel Guides, New Zealand

In New Zealand the West Coast refers to the narrow strip of land that extends from Karamea in the northern Buller region, to the central Grey District and on to Jacksons Bay and Haast in South Westland, on the countrys South Island.

About 600kms from North to South but only 75 kilometres at its widest point, the West Coast is bound to the east by the majestic Southern Alps, New Zealand's highest mountain range and on it's western edge by the broody, tempestuous Tasman Sea.

Lake Ianthe, West Coast, New Zealand.

Apart from those areas where townships and settlements remain from the previous gold rush, mining and forestry years. Or where man has cut out farmlands and slender highways, the land remains gripped by forest and carved by snow-fed rivers that fan out into deltas near the sea.

A strip of rugged yet beautiful land of mountains and glaciers, lakes, rivers and a myriad of green. It is often the green of the native forests and bush that first strike visitors to the region.

Although part of the Mainland in affection the West Coast belongs to all New Zealand.

Within the region there is a clear distinction between the Buller and Inangahua areas to the North, and the once autonomous Province of Westland, but for the majority of New Zealanders and visitors the Coast encompasses the entire region.

It is an area where the spirit of the pioneers lives on. A living legend, the people (Coasters), can be non-conformist and fiercly independent but they are also open, and welcome visitors like long lost friends.

Lake Matheson, Westland, West Coast, New Zealand.

Set beneath the unyeilding Southern Alps the region traps heavy rainfall from the west, but despite its rainfall and popular reputation, the Coast claims a surprising number of sunshine hours ahead of Dunedin and not far behind Christchurch. The bonus of course is the milder temperatures with less extremes than those of Otago, Canterbury and other regions of New Zealand.

 

So what are you waiting for? An invitation?
Then you are invited and welcome to visit us in
the youngest region of the youngest country on earth.