15 West Coast Tours, Weighed Against Each Other

1.TranzAlpine Train Journey: Christchurch to Greymouth

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 312 reviews · from $151Our pick

Take the 4-hour-50-minute TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth across Canterbury farmland, the Waimakariri River valleys, Arthur’s Pass, and West Coast beech forest. You’ll have an assigned seat, GPS-triggered commentary, an open viewing deck, and a café carriage. Bring a picnic or buy snacks and drinks onboard.

“Was nice, especially the first half of the trip, but not so awesome as announced. Overrated and also overpriced.”

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2.TranzAlpine Train Journey from Greymouth to Christchurch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 182 reviews · from $151

Travel one way from Greymouth to Christchurch on the TranzAlpine, crossing beech forest, Arthur’s Pass, Southern Alps, river gorges, and Canterbury farmland. Your reserved seat comes with GPS-triggered commentary, access to open viewing decks, and a licensed café car. Allow about 4 hours 50 minutes, and arrive at least 20 minutes early.

“Pleasant journey with good visibility of picturesque alpine and rural country. Should have had more commentary or information about sites passed.”

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3.West Coast Treetop Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 131 reviews · from $24

At West Coast Treetop Walk, you follow a self-guided steel walkway through rimu and kamahi trees near Hokitika. Allow about 45 minutes for the walk, plus time for the tower, café, and optional zipline. A brochure explains the forest and birdlife, while clear weather may reveal Lake Mahinapua, the Southern Alps, and Tasman Sea.

“Staff were amazing and helpful, the West Coast Tree Top Walk Experience was surreal and very peaceful listening to all the birds, and looking at all the natural flora would highly recommend, also lovely cafe and gift shop.”

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4.4-hour Lake Mapourika Kayak and Hike adventure, with Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 117 reviews · from $104Top rated

Kayak calm Lake Mapourika with a guide, then walk through the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary and ancient rainforest. Guides such as Farrah, Sydney, Max, and Pickles add local stories about plants, wildlife, Māori culture, and lake formation. Gear, hot drinks, and emailed photos are included.

“The views were incredible! This was my first time kayaking. I’m not a swimmer so I was nervous. Marcus was a terrific and helpful guide and put me at ease. This was definitely a highlight of my seventy-fifth birthday trip! So much information! Much respect for New Zealand’s respect and care for the environment!”

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5.2-Hour Scenic Cruise in Lake Mapourika

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · from $77

Spend about two hours on Lake Mapourika with a small group of up to 12. Local skippers such as Rosie, Joe, and Dale share stories about native birds, kiwi conservation, geology, and West Coast history. Expect calm water, rainforest-framed bays, hot drinks, and mountain reflections, with a short rainforest visit included.

“Great scenery. Peaceful. Informative. Small numbers - on the day we went we were the only two! Weather can be a challenge - we were lucky.”

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6.Monteith’s Brewery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 93 reviews · from $27

Spend 45 minutes at Monteith’s Greymouth visitor brewery with a guide such as Austin or Harvey. Hear West Coast brewing stories, see the former brewhouse, learn to taste and pour beer, enjoy tap beers or ciders, and leave with a mixed six-pack. You must wear covered, flat, non-slip shoes, or use the free boots provided.

“The brewery is a great place to visit with excellent beers on Tap. The lady who did our tour last Wednesday afternoon was amazing. She had great stories about the brewery and westcoast. Down to earth and an all round great person to have a beer with.”

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7.Hokitika: West Coast Treetop Walkway Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 82 reviews · 1 hour · from $23Best value

You’ll walk a 450-metre steel platform 20 metres above Hokitika’s ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees, with access to the 40-metre Hokitika Tower. Allow about an hour, including the short bush path from the cafe. The walkway is wheelchair and stroller friendly, with an English-speaking host or greeter and shuttle help when needed.

“A thrilling experience my mate got to the tower and ran away I said the a lady standing nearby that he needed his mother to hold his hand , she said no worry I’ll do it : I had been to the one in Queensland. Thanks”

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8.Punakaiki Blow Holes & Pancake Rocks Scenic Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $80

Travel from central Greymouth to Punakaiki with a guide such as Linda, Helen, Trish, or Bob, then walk the short, well-kept track around the Pancake Rocks and blowholes. The three-hour outing includes admission, coastal-road views, and a small group capped at 10 people. Bring walking shoes and allow for changing tides and weather.

“This was the perfect day trip from Greymouth before catching the TranzAlpine train. My tour operator, Bob, was very knowledgeable about the local surroundings and history, and added interesting personal accounts. In addition to the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes walk (which was stunning and fascinating in itself), Bob also took me on a tree walk to the Tasman Sea coast, stopping to describe the native flora in detail. Finally, he took me to a beach to collect small bits of greenstone and other stones and minerals that had been smoothed over by the waves. It's an amazing way to soak in New Zealand's natural beauty and power.”

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9.Skip the Line: Shantytown Heritage Park Experience Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 59 reviews

Visit Shantytown Heritage Park near Greymouth and explore a recreated gold rush settlement at your own pace. Ride a steam train through native rainforest, try gold panning for an extra fee, see the working sawmill and sluice gun, and find the China Town cave. Mobile tickets let you arrive without joining a fixed tour.

“Train ride n gold panning n great food n cafe excellent staff great location .kids thoroughly enjoyed it”

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10.Hokitika Fly SIX Glaciers Heli Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · from $462

Leave from 535 Whitcombe Valley Road near Hokitika Gorge for a small-group helicopter flight over six Southern Alps glaciers. Pilot Matthew provides local stories and commentary, with a snow landing on Mt Beaumont. The flight lasts about 45 minutes to an hour and carries no more than five people.

“AN ABSOLUTELY GREAT EXPERIENCE! !!! We'd both do it again in a heartbeat! Great value for the money!!!”

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11.Hokitika: West Coast Tree Top Tower Zip Line and Walk

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 55 reviews · 2 hours · from $71

At the West Coast Tree Top Visitor Center, your English-speaking instructor fits your safety gear and leads you through Hokitika’s ancient rainforest. Walk the canopy, climb 106 steps to a 45-meter tower, then zip tandem with a friend for 425 meters at up to 60 km/h. Allow two hours, plus time for cafe refreshments.

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12.Highlights West Coast Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 54 reviews · 8 hours · from $188

Join Jackie for an 8-hour West Coast trip from Greymouth, limited to seven people. You’ll follow the Coast Road to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Tauranga Bay’s seals, stop for lunch in Westport, taste local beer and Reefton gin from Tuesday to Saturday, then return through Buller Gorge and the Grey Valley.

“I was the only passenger so I had all the attention of Jackie, who was just a perfect guide: knowledgeable, personable, enthusiastic, energetic. It was a real pleasure to spend time with her, visiting breathtaking spots of the west coast. Highly recommended tour!”

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13.Hokitika: The National Kiwi Centre Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 48 reviews · 1 hour · from $23

Spend about an hour at Hokitika’s National Kiwi Centre, where an English-speaking host introduces you to Brown and Little Spotted Kiwi, tuatara, giant eels, crayfish, and whitebait. The nocturnal kiwi house protects these shy birds, while scheduled eel feedings add a lively, hands-on moment. Wheelchair access and flexible cancellation make this a simple West Coast stop.

“Super leuke ervaring. Alen gevoerd en aangeraakt. Kiwis gezien.”

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14.Explore Hokitika Gorge and Tree Top Walkway

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 30 reviews

Start in Greymouth with a guide such as Mary or Helen, then ride in a comfortable small-group vehicle to the Westcoast Treetop Walk and Hokitika Gorge. Walk 450 metres above old-growth forest, look over Lake Mahinapua, and take an easy forest walk beside striking blue water. The pace is relaxed, but the treetop approach includes a steep opening hill.

“A short drive south of Greymouth is the Hokitaki Gorge and tree top walks. The gorge walk is spectacular plus with an immersive experience that’s truly wonderful and the tree top walk similar with an aerial view. Well hosted with the occasional commentary on the history of the area and recommended as a must see during a visit to Greymouth.”

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15.Punakaiki Blowholes & Pancake Rocks Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 28 reviews · 3 hours · from $83

Travel from Greymouth along New Zealand’s famous Coast Road with a guide such as Linda, stopping at beaches, Punakaiki’s eroded limestone pancake rocks, and the Truman Track. You’ll have time for photos, interpretation panels, a cafe refreshment, and low-tide rock pools. The three-hour tour costs $83 and carries up to 10 people.

“Our tour of the Pancake Rocks & west coast was most dramatic, with fierce winds and strong squalls enhancing the powerful sprays from the blowholes and chimney stack rock features. Our guide Linda was brilliant, full of interesting information and very enthusiastic about her local area.”

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