The Best West Coast Walks You Don’t Want To Miss – New Zealand South Island

Prepare to be filled with awe as you explore the outstanding natural wonders of the West Coast. You’ll find the most incredible hikes in New Zealand in the South Island’s West Coast region, where you can experience these breathtaking sights up close on scenic walks. You can find yourself walking along ocean clifftop trails one day, walking to a glacier another day, and immersing yourself in lush New Zealand native bush on every walk. The best West Coast walks offer adventures for all ages. Here is our pick of the best ones you do not want to miss.

Heaphy Track

The Heaphy Track is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks, covering 82 kilometres over a 4-5 day tramp through the Kahurangi National Park. The trail showcases various landscapes, from rivers to lush forests.

Now, we are not saying you should do the 5-day walk! But, if that’s your thing, you will find the experience like no other!

We suggest the 40-minute Nikau Walk for those who want to stick to short walks on the West Coast. The short Nikau Walk is renowned for its collection of nikau palms, one of the largest collections of nikau palms on the South Island. We did the easy walk and loved it!  

To start your West Coast walks adventure, head from Westport to Karamea and then north of Karamea to Kohaihai Beach. The area offers stunning river and beach views, and we highly recommend the sea view camping in the DOC campground there.

Read Next – A Hidden Gem: Things to Do in Karamea, New Zealand.

Hokitika Gorge Walk 

One of the best things to do on the West Coast is a visit to Hokitika Gorge. The boardwalk through lush native forest and the mesmerizing Hokitika Gorge make this easy, short West Coast walk a must-do.

The real drawcard is the electric blue waters flowing through the narrow gorge, framed by towering rock walls.

The bright blue turquoise river is one of the coolest rivers we have seen.

Additionally, the phenomenal gorge views from the swing bridge are a perfect photo spot on the suspension bridge.

To get to the gorge, travel to Hokitika. Hokitika to Hokitika Gorge Scenic Reserve is a 30-minute drive. The walk takes 40 minutes to return.

Read More about The Best Things to Do in Hokitika, New Zealand.

Cape Foulwind Walkway

Cape Foulwind Walkway offers a fun stroll with panoramic views of the Tasman Sea.

This easy short walk wows visitors with its rugged beauty and wildlife encounters, making it one of the must-do West Coast walks.

Along the way, you will see a historic lighthouse, panoramic ocean views, stunning rock formations, and adorable fur seals in their natural habitat at the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony, New Zealand’s largest fur seal colony.

Starting at the Cape Foulwind Lighthouse, the walk on a well-maintained track also offers a chance to spot dolphins and seabirds.

The beauty of the New Zealand coastline, the dramatic vistas, and the antics of the seals make for an unforgettable experience.

To get to Cape Foulwind, travel 1.5 hours north of Greymouth. Cape Foulwind is 10 minutes from Westport.

Alternatively, you can start the walk in the opposite direction from the Tauranga Bay car park.

For insider tips, detailed information on the walk, and our photo gallery, check out our post: Cape Foulwind Walkway: Seal Spotting, Lighthouse & Epic Ocean Views.

Truman Track absolutely shows off New Zealand’s wilderness. This short West Coast walk is one of our favourite South Island walks.

The easy walk is an enthralling experience, from the lush subtropical rainforest to tall ancient trees to the wild, rough sea.  

The 1.4 km long on a well-marked flat path takes 30 minutes to complete.

The walk’s highlight is reaching the viewing platform, where you can see the coastline and dramatic sea views.

For the adventurous, you can follow the wooden stairs down to the beach, exploring cliffs, caves and waterfalls.

To get to Truman Track, travel from Greymouth to Punakaiki. The track is 5 minutes north of Punakaiki.

For more information and to view our photo gallery of this epic walk, read next – Truman Track: A Jaw-Dropping West Coast Walk.

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes

When it comes to must-do West Coast walking tracks, Pancake Rocks and Blowholes is one of those iconic walks you should not miss!

On the wild West Coast in Punakaiki, the Pancake Rocks are natural wonders that always captivate.

These unique limestone formations, resembling stacked pancakes, are mesmerizing at high tide when waves crash into blowholes, creating a dramatic spectacle.

The 20-minute Pancake Rocks walk is one of the best West Coast walks. While doing the walk at high tide treats you to a blowhole display, if you go at sunset time, you will be rewarded with a phenomenal West Coast sunset over the limestone rocks.

To get to Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, travel from Greymouth to Punakaiki. The track is opposite the Visitor Centre in Punakaiki.

Lake Matheson

Perhaps you have seen incredible photos of a lake with a perfect mirror image of snow-capped mountains—that’s Lake Matheson.

The must-visit attraction is renowned for its mirror-like reflections of the Southern Alps, and the 1.5-hour walk offers many viewpoints, platforms, lookouts, and benches to sit on.

Alternatively, there is the option for a quicker and easier walk to the first viewpoint that takes only 20 minutes. At this spot, you can see the mirror-like reflections of Mt Cook/Aoraki and the surrounding bush in the lake.

On top of that, there is a cafe at the start of the walk so you can have lunch with a view. 

New Zealand South Island Travel Insider Guide Tip: For Instagram-worthy photos, go at sunrise or sunset.

To get there, drive 30 minutes from Franz Josef to Lake Matheson.

You can find more information on the Lake Matheson walk and how to get there, what to see, and the best times to visit in Our ultimate guide to the Lake Matheson West Coast Walk.

Fox Glacier South Side Walkway

You probably noticed by now we have a bit of a thing for walks with iconic features such as lakes or oceans.

The Glacier Viewpoint Walk is another walk with an epic grand finale. The 2-hour easy walk stops at a few glacier viewpoints.

The old-growth forest is gorgeous, and the walk offers occasional views of the Fox River. 

To get to the Fox Glacier South Side Walk, travel to the town of Fox Glacier and head to the Glacier View Car Park.

Before you do this walk, check out our photo gallery and read our ultimate guide to the Fox Glacier South Side Walk to get details on how to get there, when to go and the time required for each walk stage. 

Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk

Another walk to view a glacier? Yes indeed! We would not miss this one!

There is a debate among travel writers on which glacier to visit. But we say visit both! The Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk is the most popular West Coast short walk based on the number of visitors.

The 30-minute walk is accessible to prams and wheelchairs and is a delightful stroll among native forests on a flat gravel path.

Read more about the walk, the best time to go, and our insider tips in our Complete Guide to the Franz Josef Glacier Walk.

Additionally, if reflective water views are your thing, check out our photo gallery and read our story on nearby Peters Pool Walk, Franz Josef.

Callery Gorge, Westland Tai Poutini National Park

We went on this walk for the first time recently after having visited Franz Josef over a dozen times. We love exploring the Westland Tai Poutini National Park as there are so many phenomenal trails showcasing ancient forests, but we can not believe we missed this one till now.

The 1.5-hour walk is an off-the-beaten-path hidden gem. As most people rush through the town to see the glaciers, they miss this walk.

The Callery Gorge Walk features an uphill climb through the rainforest. It leads to epic views of Franz Josef, passes a waterfall and then descends to the gorge where you will witness the most spectacular natural wonder since Hokitka Gorge – a brilliant turquoise river.

Discover how to see the turquoise river at Callery Gorge.

Paparoa National Park is an epic wilderness boasting awe-inspiring bush walks. Besides the multi-day Great Walks, the Paparoa Track and Pike29 Memorial Track, there are shorter walks like the Pororari River Track.

The captivating Pororari River Track, the final stretch of the Paparoa Great Walk, is your chance to discover the breathtaking diversity of the West Coast.

The hike includes views of lush rainforests and towering limestone cliffs and a chance to unwind by tranquil river pools while being treated to awe-inspiring views every step of the way.

You have the freedom to walk as much as you want and turn back whenever you want.

Heading to Punakaiki? Read Next – The Best Things to Do in Punakaiki.

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