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Driving New Zealand
The Great West Coast Drive -
Karamea to Haast
Greymouth
- Westport - (HWY 6)
State highway 6
between has been upgraded over the past 20 years from a
narrow single lane gravel road to an excellent 2 lane
highway. There are many corners where you must slow,
interspersed with some nice straight sections.
In this region there are many side roads to explore, if you
cannot self drive, you may consider taking the Magic Bus or
the Kiwi Experience which endeavors to detour to the main
attractions. In unseasonably wet weather there can be
mudslides which block this road.
 Driving
north from Greymouth, over the Grey river bridge, turn right and
follow through the small mining town of Rununga
and out onto the coastal road through quiet farmland and
around occasional bluffs with great views of the Paparoa
Ranges and the rugged coastline.
There
is a hotel at Barrytown which is the
entry/exit point for the Creoses walking track over
the Paparoa Range to Blackball.
The
next main point of interest is
Punakaiki with it's pancake rock
formations, a small township and recreation
area. Accommodation is
available at the eco friendly
Punakaiki Rocks Hotel
and ideal base to explore the river valleys and caves in the
area.
Charleston, once a port for trans Tasman
ships though it is hard to imagine the old
sailing ships entering this harbor.
The sand level changes with the seasons.
There is a hotel some holiday homes and
a coastal diversion.
The
road leaves the coast and on to
Westport with a diversion to
Cape Foulwind with it's seal colonies and
walkways, and there is also the turn off into
the Buller George and back inland to
Nelson
or Lewis Pass and
Canterbury.
Westport
makes an ideal place to stop over and explore
the area. You can continue north or just make
day trips to the old mining areas of
Millerton and Denniston. There are many small
hotels, camping and recreation walkways,
Charming Creek as the name implies is a
lovely walk. Checkout the
Buller Bridge Motel or the
Chelsea Gateway Motor Lodge.
Westport - Karamea
- (HWY 67)
To
continue to Karamea makes for a long day
trip as there is much to see there. This
however is a no exit road unless you wish to
walk the Heaphy Track and continue out to
Nelson. The sealed highway take you through the towns of
Granity, Hector,
Ngakwau
), Seddonville, over a winding pass
and down to
Karamea.
Greymouth -
Haast - (HWY 6)
From
Greymouth it is a short drive
south past the Shanty town turn of at Paroa
and over the Teramakau River, a popular
whitebaiting and swimming spot to Kumara
Junction. (Arthurs Pass Highway turn off). The
road then follows the coast, crossing the
Arahura river, the source of much of the
greenstone and into
Hokitika. This may only take a
half hour.
Stay at the
Airport Tudor Motel.
Westland Hotels
Westland Motels
There
is an option to go slightly inland through
Kaniere or staying nearer the coast and often
the pub at Ruatapu is worth a stop. This also
provides access to Lake Mahinapua. The road
then heads inland a little and continues to
the historic town of Ross, and more of those
interesting place names like Kakapotahi, and
the Waitaha River, Pukekura and the town of
Harihari, which makes for a good refreshment stop. This highway
travels through absolute wilderness and areas of
farms and settlements with all modern
amenities.
The next township is
Whataroa and a little past here is the white
heron sanctuary at Okarito. (do pack some
insect repellent) Lake Mapourika is a pretty
lake, popular for boating and picnics. Soon
after you will come to Franz Joseph Glacier,
a bustling village and base to recreational
activities both on the glacier itself, which
you can walk up to if you have an hour or so
to spare. Guides are available to take you on
to the ice. If you are not experienced, do
not do it unguided, rescues are expensive...
Further south is Fox
Glacier, not quite as bustle as Franz, but
has all amenities and access to the glacier
and it is an interesting drive out to
Gillespies Beach, or getting up before dawn
for the sunrise over Lake Matheson.
 Continuing
south through the Karangarua forest, Over the
Karangarua river, (5 hours walk in from here
to hot springs and Copeland Pass to Mt Cook
Village.) The road meets the coast again at
Bruce Bay, home to lobster fishermen and
drive back into the forest.
We
are really in the "deep south now"
as we pass by Lakes Paringa and Moeraki,
usually a photo stop. The road back on to a
pleasant fairly straight section along the
coast to Haast Township, home to adventure
charter services and a few farms.
The whole of Westland has
innumerable outdoor recreation opportunities,
walking, fishing, hunting and facilities for
just kicking back and relaxing.
Greymouth
to Haast can be comfortably driven in 3 - 5
hours, but longer when you stop to experience the
land and people.
Click here to calculate actual distances
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