The Wild Side
Glaciers, gorges and wild coastline
5 destinationsThe West Coast is one of the wettest places in New Zealand and also one of the most dramatic. Glaciers come down out of the mountains almost to sea level, rivers run through gorges with water so clear it looks fake, and the Tasman Sea crashes into rock formations that took millions of years to form. If you like wild and remote, this is your region.
Franz Josef Glacier
Franz Josef is one of the only glaciers in the world that flows almost all the way down to sea level, so you can walk right up close to the edge of it without any special gear. The valley it sits in is covered in rainforest and the contrast between green bush and white ice is hard to believe. It is genuinely one of the most impressive things in New Zealand.
Fox Glacier
Fox Glacier sits just a short drive south of Franz Josef and has a slightly more remote and quiet feel to it. The walk to the viewpoint takes you across river gravel flats and into the valley where the glacier appears above you. On a clear day the ice picks up the light in a way that makes it almost glow blue.
Pancake Rocks
These strange stacked rock formations look exactly like piles of pancakes sitting right at the edge of the Tasman Sea. When the swell is right the blowholes between the rocks send jets of water shooting up into the air. Walk the short loop and you will see why this is one of the most photographed spots on the West Coast.
Hokitika Gorge
The water in Hokitika Gorge is a colour that looks completely made up in photos but is even more vivid when you are standing next to it. Bright teal water runs between narrow walls of rock covered in moss and ferns. A short suspension bridge takes you over the gorge and the view from the middle is one you will not forget.
Devils Punchbowl Falls
A tall skinny waterfall drops 131 metres down a rocky cliff into a round pool that gave the place its name. The track up is steep in parts but short, and arriving to find that much water falling into such a tight space feels like a proper reward. Arthurs Pass village is right nearby and worth a stop for a coffee.
Know a hidden gem in this region? Tell us at hello@beyondthemap.co.nz