Hiking, waterfalls, and glaciers, oh my! If you’re looking to plan a road trip down New Zealand’s West Coast, look no further. This ultimate 7-day West Coast New Zealand itinerary is packed with activity, restaurant, and accommodation suggestions. It will cover all of the West Coast’s must-sees, starting from Westport in the north to the Haast Pass in the south. Let’s go!
How this West Coast New Zealand itinerary is organized
This itinerary assumes that you’ll be starting your trip on the northern end of the West Coast, but you can start on the other end if you wish. We did an extended version of this trip in about 2 weeks, but your West Coast New Zealand itinerary doesn’t need to be that long. I’d recommend 7 days for a more relaxed pace, but it can be done in fewer days as well!
I love hiking and being outdoors, so there will be a lot of nature-centered activities. I’ll try to include some alternate ideas for things to do if the weather is not cooperating. (It’s a good thing to note that weather on the West Coast is known to be quite finicky!) There will also be suggestions for cafes and restaurants. I’ll add a link to any relevant blog posts I have about the locations in more depth.
I’ve included quite a few suggestions under each day in this itinerary. Depending on how packed you want your days to be, you can choose the ones that sound the most interesting to you (this itinerary is meant to be super customizable!). There are a few can’t-miss activities — I’ve made sure to point them out in their descriptions.
⇉ For tips on getting the most out of your trip, read this guide on how to plan a New Zealand road trip.
West Coast accommodation
We traveled in our renovated Sprinter van, meaning we spent a lot of nights parked up at campsites or rest areas. You can also do this trip in a car and stay in hotels or Airbnbs, although that will increase the cost by a little bit.
⇉ Need help finding campsites? Read on for the most helpful New Zealand travel apps.
Know before you go
- Sandflies: The West Coast is crawling with these little biting bugs. As soon as the sun goes down, expect every bit of exposed skin to be fair game. We learned very quickly that the best solutions were to (1) wear long layers and (2) use sandfly spray — you can buy this in most shops in New Zealand.
- Bad service: Expect to have mostly mediocre cell phone service in most places, especially campsites. My Skinny service was usually okay while in town or at the most popular attractions. I’d recommend downloading offline Google Maps of the entire West Coast before you set out.
- Freedom camping: Freedom camping is allowed in the West Coast region! You’ll see signs designating places where overnight camping is not allowed. Make sure to read all of the rules (and abide by them!) before setting up camp for the night.
- Driving time: Depending on where you’re coming from, you might need to add a day or two’s driving time to get to the West Coast.
Day 1: Westport to Fox River
Welcome to the West Coast! Day one of this West Coast New Zealand itinerary will take you from Westport, the oldest European settlement in the region, to Fox River, a town with gorgeous scenery and hiking. Spend today getting acquainted with the Jurassic Park-like surroundings and West Coast history. You can either spend the night in Fox River or drive 15 minutes to Punakaiki to get day 2 started off early.
Westport
Things to do
- Carter’s Beach: A sheltered, sandy beach good for swimming and fishing
- Coaltown Museum: A highly-reviewed museum all about coal mining
- Millennium Track: A short and easy forest walk, accessible from town
- Charming Creek Walkway: 10 km / 6.2 mi walkway that follows an abandoned railway line
Restaurants & cafes
- Whanake Gallery and Espresso Bar: Art gallery, kitschy product shop, and cafe
- West Coast Brewery: A boutique craft brewery that offers tours
Cape Foulwind
Things to do
- Cape Foulwind Lighthouse: 70 m / 230 ft above the sea and built in 1876
- Seal Colony Tauranga Bay: An accessible viewing platform with a high likelihood of seeing New Zealand fur seals
Charleston
Things to do
- Underworld Adventures: Cave rafting and glow worm tours in an underground cave
- Constant and Joyce Bays hike: 15-minute coastline loop with rugged cliffs and blowholes
- Mitchells Gully Goldmine: Walk through an old gold mining tunnel and learn about mining history
Fox River
Things to do
- Fox Cave Track Hike: 3-hour walk that crosses the Fox River and explores caves
- Fox River Beach: Mostly sandy beach suitable for surfing
Day 2: Punakaiki
Punakaiki is a small West Coast town that is home to the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. It’s also the perfect jumping-off point for exploring Paparoa National Park. Spend day 2 of your West Coast trip exploring all of the natural wonders Punakaiki has to offer. Find a campsite near Punakaiki for the night, then drive 20 minutes to Motukiekie tomorrow morning.
Things to do
- Truman Track: Easy 1-hour walk through the forest and to the rugged coastline. The views are epic; I highly recommend this walk!
- Pororari River Track: 1.5-hour walk near limestone cliffs and subtropical forest
- Punakaiki Cavern: Easy walk through caves and caverns
- Pancake Rocks & Blowholes: A must-see! Pancake-shaped limestone rocks, surge pools, and powerful blowholes that erupt with seawater
Restaurants & cafes
- Pancake Rocks Cafe: Get your pancake fill after thinking about Pancake Rocks all day
In-depth post: Pancake Rocks
Day 3: Punakaiki to Hokitika
Today, you’ll explore a few charming West Coast towns and immerse yourself in the region’s varied landscapes. There are plenty of short walks, natural wildlife encounters, and cultural activities to keep you busy. Spend the night in Hokitika so you’re at a good starting point for your itinerary tomorrow.
Motukiekie
Things to do
- Motukiekie Beach Walk: 1–2 hour walk with picturesque rock stacks and sea caves
Greymouth
Things to do
- Point Elizabeth Track: Coastal walkway in the Rapahoe Range Scenic Reserve that follows a 19th-century water race
- Coal Creek Falls: Easy bush walk that ends at a roaring waterfall
- Walk along the Grey River: Right in town, pass by the Flood Wall and the historic Greymouth Wharf
Restaurants & cafes
- Sevenpenny: Restaurant slash cafe with incredible food and outdoor seating
- DP1 Cafe: Good breakfast menu and funky decor
- Speights Ale House Greymouth: Gastropub in an atmospheric old building
Hokitika
Things to do
- Hokitika Beach sign: An iconic sign made out of driftwood
- The National Kiwi Centre: Wildlife center where you’ll find kiwis, tuatara, and eels
- Bonz ‘N’ Stonz Carving Studio: Workshop where you can carve your own piece of pounamu (jade)
- Glow Worm Dell: A night-time must-visit. Free entry to see thousands of glow worms in their natural habitat
Restaurants & cafes
- GATHERER wholefoods & bar: A veggie and vegan-friendly restaurant with healthy dishes
- The Hokitika Sandwich Company: Deluxe sandwiches and unlimited coffee
In-depth post: Greymouth & Hokitika
Day 4: Hokitika Gorge & surroundings
Day 4 of your West Coast New Zealand itinerary is packed with exciting outdoor adventures. Make sure to wear your walking shoes, because your day will be filled with scenic walks through gorges, above the trees, and around a lake. You can choose to either spend the night in Franz Josef or have another night in Hokitika.
Hokitika Gorge
This is an absolute must-do West Coast activity. The Hokitika Gorge Scenic Reserve loop walk is 2 km (1.2 mi) long and takes about an hour to complete. You’ll walk through rimu and podocarp forest, over a few suspension bridges, and around the stunning blue water of the Hokitika River. There are a few places on the track where you can climb over some big boulders and make it down to the water (swim at your own risk!). I absolutely loved this walk because it was fun, the scenery was gorgeous, and we saw heaps of cool wildlife.
West Coast Treetop Walk
The West Coast Treetop Walk is a group of metal walkways and towers set above the top of the forest. It takes 45 minutes to walk the entire loop and you are given a little informational pamphlet about all the trees and wildlife you see. It’s such a surreal feeling to walk among the massive trees and learn about their histories. I’d highly recommend this activity for everyone: families, couples, and solo travelers (but maybe not for those that are afraid of heights).
If you’re a member of the NZMCA, the West Coast Treetop Walk is listed as a Park Over Property member. You can sleep in a designated car park overnight for free if your campervan is self-contained.
⇉ Book online to get a slight discount on admission!
Lake Kaniere & Dorothy Falls
Located 24 km (15 mi) from Hokitika, Lake Kaniere is a popular spot for campers and holidaymakers. It’s wonderful for swimming, boating, and water sports of all kinds. If you follow the twisting gravel road down the lake’s east side for about 10 minutes, you’ll reach Dorothy Falls. The waterfall is surrounded by chilly pools that are perfect for a dip on a hot day.
In-depth post: Treetop Walk & Hokitika Gorge
Day 5: Franz Josef
Franz Josef is one of the most popular tourist towns on the West Coast, and for good reason. It’s filled with world-class guided tours, scenic flights, and rugged landscapes. If you want to do a helicopter tour up to the glacier, schedule that for today. Otherwise, spend the day exploring the rest of Franz Josef by foot. Spend the night in town.
Things to do
- Heli hike to Franz Josef Glacier: There are tons of different companies that offer these. You can choose to do either a fly-by scenic flight or one that lands on top of the glacier.
- Franz Josef Glacier Walk: 1.5-hour walk that takes you to a glacier viewing platform. A great free option if you don’t want to spend hundreds on a helicopter tour!
- Tatare Tunnels hike: Forest walk that leads to a super-long, cave-like tunnel
- Hot Pools: Three progressively hotter pools set amongst a rainforest
- West Coast Wildlife Centre: Learn about kiwis and conservation work
Restaurants & cafes
- Blue Ice Restaurant & Bar: Delicious food and kind staff
- Full of Beans Cafe: Good breakfast, outdoor seating, and fast wifi
- SnakeBite Brewery: Asian fusion and craft beer
In-depth post: Franz Josef
Day 6: Fox Glacier & lower West Coast
Day 6 of this itinerary can be used as a backup weather day for the Franz Josef heli hike. Otherwise, you can finish any activities you didn’t have time for yesterday in Franz Josef. After you’re done with those, continue down the West Coast to Fox Glacier, another popular tourist town. End the night in the lower West Coast area.
Fox Glacier
Things to do
- Fox Glacier Valley Walk: Mostly flat walk with several glacier viewpoints
- Minnehaha Walk: Short loop with glow worms and podocarp forest
- Lake Matheson: Easy, scenic walk around a reflective lake
Lower West Coast
Things to do
- Monro Beach: Sandy beach, cliffs, and penguins
- Knights Point Lookout: An iconic viewpoint with ocean and cliffs
- Ship Creek/Tauparikākā Marine Reserve: A must-do! A few different short walks through swamp, forest, and beach
Restaurants & cafes
- Bruce Bay Coffee Cart: coffee and whitebait sandwiches
In-depth post: Fox Glacier
Day 7: Haast Pass
The last day of your road trip will take you through the Haast Pass, a narrow mountain pass through the Southern Alps. You’ll see a few waterfalls, dive into crystal-clear blue water, and finish out your trip with tons of nature. The Haast Pass ends in Wanaka, which is where our itinerary ends as well.
Things to do
- Roaring Billy Falls: 30-minute return, large waterfall into a large pool of water
- Thunder Creek Falls: A few minutes from the main road and very loud
- Fantail Falls: Short walk to a fanned-out waterfall
- Blue Pools Track: 1.6 km (1 mi) walk through forest and over bridges to stunning blue water. You can swim, but be aware that it’s very cold!
In-depth post: Haast Pass & Blue Pools
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Thanks for reading this 7-day West Coast New Zealand itinerary! We’ve hit every major attraction and activity on the West Coast, so hopefully your road trip will be a success.
If you want something adventurous to do in Wanaka, click here to read about a waterfall via ferrata.
xoxo Niki
