New Zealand West Coast Road Trip: 5, 7 and 10 Day Itineraries

A road trip along the West Coast (Te Tai Poutini in Maori) of New Zealand’s South Island typically runs from Christchurch or Nelson down to Queenstown or Wanaka. Although the West Coast route is considered to run for around 500 kilometres from subtropical Karamea in the north to the southern wilderness of Haast, departing from Christchurch takes in the spectacular Arthur’s Pass. The route from Christchurch follows the Great Alpine Highway (State Highway 73), then joins State Highway 6 as it unravels down the west coast. This itinerary from Christchurch is about 770 kilometres, taking in the highlights of Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson.

You could tackle this as a return loop from Christchurch, making your way back via Lewis Pass in the Southern Alps or make it part of a larger South Island loop. If you’re looking for road trips on the North Island’s West Coast, head here.

There’s a lot of West Coast wonder to absorb on this trip and you don’t want to rush things. If you’re short on time, a three-day route that runs from Christchurch to Franz Josef Glacier takes in a few highlights concisely. Five days is a more realistic minimum to give you enough time to explore Hokitika and include a drive up to Punakaiki.

Ideally, you’d plan for seven days that builds in time for weather not being optimal and to allows you to lace up those boots and do some good hikes. The dream scenario, however, would be to stretch things out even further for a 10-day trip that goes all the way up to Karamea and down to Haast in the south.

From the alpine beauty of Arthur’s Pass to the astonishing scale of the Franz Josef Glacier and the thundering Buller Gorge, this itinerary is a checklist of nature’s most grand landscapes. Here are the must-stops along the route.

From Christchurch the drive to Arthur’s Pass village takes a little over two hours. You’ll journey across the Canterbury Plains and climb more than 900 metres to this lofty alpine locale that encompasses both village and the Arthur’s Pass National Park. Even if you’re on a concise itinerary, make time to explore Kura Tawhiti Conservation Area, stop for a photo-ops at both Arthur’s Pass Scenic Lookout and the Otira Viaduct Lookout, and take the one-hour-return walk to Devil’s Punchbowl Falls.

Once you’ve completed Arthur’s Pass, join State Highway 6 from Greymouth travelling less-than-an-hour northwards to the coastal village of Punakaiki. When the tide is high and the swell is surging the blowholes here offer powerful demonstrations of nature’s might. Take the easy loop walk to Pancake Rocks to watch the spectacle.

If you’re up for more walking, add the Truman Track to your hit list. This easy 1.4-kilometre return takes you through lush rainforest to take in the wild beauty of the West Coast. On your way back into Greymouth, swing into Point Elizabeth Walkway for a longer but still approachable hike. The 5.5-kilomtre each way track leads to a clifftop lookout for a panoramic view of the coast.

While you’re up at this northern end of the highway, be sure to pay a visit to Westport. From gold mining to coal mining, this coastal hub has an industrial history, but it’s also a great place to get out onto the water and meet the residents of the local seal colony at Cape Foulwind. If you’re keen to engage with Westport’s coal mining history, take a drive to Denniston Plateau, where you can walk along the historic tramway and take in sweeping views down to the coast.

For a thrilling spike in your cortisol levels, head to the Buller Gorge Swing Bridge for the Cometline ride that zips you 160 metres across the river. Or for more moderate adventure, walk the 170-metre high and 110-metre-long swing bridge.

Just 30 minutes south of Greymouth will see you arriving at the Westland town of Hokitika. While here, drive another 30 minutes out to the ice-blue waters at Hokitika Gorge. That extraordinary colour is beautifully contrasted by the white limestone cliffs that contain the flow. Take the accessible gorge walk that follows the banks of the Hokitika River and leads you across it on a breath-snatching swing bridge.

Back in Hokitika, you’ll discover the area is known as ‘Jade Country’ after the stunning pounamu stone (also known as New Zealand jade or greenstone), which can only be found in a handful of rivers on the South Island’s West Coast. Here you can peruse the pounamu galleries and learn about this precious stone and its deep cultural significance to the Maori people.

Just under two hours from Hokitika is the show-stopping Franz Josef Glacier. Base yourself in the village for explorations into the World Heritage area. The town is just five kilometres away from the glacier and it’s just a short, 30-minute walk or quick drive over the Waiho River bridge to find yourself at the viewing platform within 750 metres of the glacier’s shimmering face. If that’s not close enough, you can make contact with the glacier on a heli-hike or guided ice climb.

Keep the icy theme going with a visit to Fox Glacier, just 30 minutes from Franz Josef. Sitting at the base of the Southern Alps, Fox Glacier shares its name with the adjoining town and sits around 300 metres above sea level. Get a bird’s-eye view with a scenic flight over the glacier or book into a guided ice hike.  If you’d rather a gentle hike, navigate to the Fox Glacier South Side walkway/cycleway for the easy 6.4-kilometre walk along the south bank of Fox River.

Not far out of town, another must-do is tranquil Lake Matheson. Lace up for the easy-going  4.4-kilometre loop walk, where, on a still morning you’ll be treated to the perfect reflection of Aoraki Mount Cook, Mount Tasman/ Te Horokōau and the Southern Alps/Kā Tiritiri o te Moana.

You’ve reached the southern conclusion of your road trip as you pull into the small township of Haast on the Haast River. This World Heritage-listed region fringed by national parks certainly makes for a gob-smacking finale with its incredible beaches, dunes and wetlands.

Set time aside to wander the two short but impressive Ship Creek walks, the 30-minute loop Dune Lake Walk and the 20-minute return Swamp Forest Walk and get the lay of the captivating landscape with a stop at the Knights point Lookout.

Forty minutes on from Haast, set the GPS to Thunder Creek Falls, where you can take a relaxed walk to a viewing platform to watch the sparkling cascade. Then keep driving another 20 minutes on State Highway 6 to reach Blue Pools and walk the 30-minute track through native beech forest and over two swing bridges to the turquoise pools.

Wanaka is just another 90 minutes away, so take your time exploring the Blue Pools before arriving into this thriving alpine resort town backdropped by Mount Aspiring National Park.

This arterial West Coast road fills windscreens with stunning alpine vistas and sweeping views of the Tasman Sea. While this scenic ribbon of road is easily manageable in a 2WD campervan and is sealed the entire way, there are narrow and winding sections that require a degree of caution. You’ll encounter one-lane bridges, such as the Haast River Bridge, and weather can seriously impact visibility and road conditions. The West Coast is known for its heavy rainfall, which can cause land slips along the route. Also keep in mind that fuels stops are few and far between travelling from Haast to the glacier country, so always fill up when you can. Phone coverage can be patchy, too, so make sure you have your maps downloaded.

New Zealand’s wettest inhabited region is the South Island’s West Coast, which is a good fact to know before you begin planning your road trip. Rain is common no matter the season, so it’s worth building in a few extra days in the itinerary in case it prevents you experiencing your planned activity.

That said, there are better times than others to make the trip. Summer, between December and February, is when you’ll get the warmest weather and longest days, but you will also encounter busier roads and attractions.

The autumn months of March and April are mild and quieter, while winter impresses with clear, cold days and the chance of ice on the alpine roads. You’ll need to carry chains if you’re driving this route in the winter. Come spring and the snowmelt means waterfalls are in full force, but it’s also one of the wettest seasons and sandflies do ramp up here from spring through summer, so pack the repellent!

If you’re travelling the West Coast during peak season, keep in mind that campgrounds can book out well in advance. To freedom camp in New Zealand, you’re usually required to have a self-contained vehicle. There are fines for not adhering to freedom camping rules, so it’s a good idea to get across them before you set out. Check out our freedom camping guides to plan your stays.

A good alternative to freedom camping is staying at a low-cost Department of Conservation campsite, there are more than 300 DOC campsites across the country starting from as little as $10 per night. The basic DOC campsites have toilets, but not much else, while the standard campsites have a little more amenity, including cold showers, barbecues and shelters. Serviced campsites have more elevated facilities of hot showers and rubbish collection. If you’re planning on travelling for a while, it’s a good idea to purchase a Campsite Pass.

Hiring your campervan from Christchurch makes this South Island road trip perfect for a return loop to the city. With your bed in the back, you can take your time winding through the vastly diverse landscapes of the West Coast and pausing in the places that enchant you the most. One day you’ll be staring in awe at the Franz Josef Glacier and the next, you’ll be standing on a windswept cliff gazing across the Tasman, but with free unlimited kilometres on all hires, you needn’t rush off. Fully absorb every moment as you journey over Arthur’s Pass and down the coast, then back up to Christchurch.

When you hire a campervan from Christchurch, the whole of the South Island is waiting to be explored, one stunning landscape after another. Once you’ve taken the West Coast route, check out more of the South Island with these unforgettable adventures.

• Christchurch to Marlborough
• Christchurch to Christchurch road trip
• Christchurch to Picton road trip
• Christchurch to Invercargill

Freedom Camping in New Zealand – Important Information

We’re confident that you’ll have a blast freedom camping around the South Island. But, before you head out, there are some details you need to know about responsible freedom camping in New Zealand:

Amenities at freedom camping areas are usually limited, so while some might have access to bathrooms and running water, others may not

Most freedom campsites don’t operate on a booking system; instead, they follow a first-come, first-served basis. So, try to get to sites early so you can get the best spot

Department of Conservation (DOC) campgrounds are generally the most affordable sites to stay at, apart from freedom camping, offering over 150 campgrounds in New Zealand. Some of them operate on a booking system, while others use a first-come, first-served basis. If you have a DOC Campsite Pass, you can get access to parks year-round

DISCLAIMER: All information provided, including prices, availability, and site details, is correct at the time of publishing. We recommend contacting campsites or caravan parks directly to confirm the latest details before planning your visit. Please review our Terms and Conditions for additional information.