West Coast and Glacier Holidays

Holidays on the West Coast of New Zealand's south island bring you face-to-face with majestic glaciers, primeval forests and extraordinary national parks. This sparsely populated region has some of the most beautiful wilderness on the planet.  

The Franz Jozef Glacier and Fox Glacier are a must for adventurous travellers. Over millennia these huge icy masses have carved a valley from solid rock. Unlike other glaciers around the world, the Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are relatively easy to visit, being just a short distance from State Highway 6. Gazing on this majestic spectacle is a truly humbling experience. To walk them you can book a guided glacier tour in New Zealand, or charter a helicopter to see them from a bird’s eye perspective. 

West Coast and Glaciers holidays: true wilderness on the South Island

There are some charming towns to base yourself during a holiday to New Zealand’s glaciers and West Coast. 

Greymouth, a former centre for mining, is the largest. Visit the Brunner Mine Site to get to grips with its history, or head to beautiful Brunner Lake for fantastic fishing and kayaking. The TranzAlpine train from Christchurch, one of the world’s most scenic train rides, terminates here. 

Alternatively, Hokitika is a laid-back beach community with a creative vibe, while Haast and Reefton are quirky small towns with easy access to the Mount Aspiring National Park and the Victoria Forest Park respectively.

The main attraction for visitors to New Zealand’s West Coast are the pure landscapes of rainforests, rivers and caves. From Punakaiki's blowholes and pancake rocks, to mirror-clear Lake Matheson and beautiful Westland Tai Poutini National Park, there’s so much to see and endless scope for adventures along the way. 

Take a kayak out on the lakes, camp in the wild, or cycle the West Coast Wilderness Trail. The only limit is your imagination.