600 kilometres long and no wider than 70 kilometres at any point, the West Coast has a rich environmental heritage and boasts five of New Zealand’s 14 national parks. High mountains, low glaciers, rainforest, wild beaches, caves and rivers can be found. Arts and crafts, fine food and cuisine, museums and historic buildings are scattered down the coast. 

The pancake rocks and blowholes of Punakaiki are among the West Coast's most famous sights. The fascinating 'pancakes' are thin, horizontal layers of limestone, about 2 to 4 centimetres thick.

Fox and Franz Josef are two very similar small townships just 20 minutes drive apart where you'll find the ancient Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers nestled amidst primeval rainforest. Here the lakes, rivers, forests and beaches of an untamed, yet accessible wilderness, are as pure as you will find anywhere. The weather can be very changeable and is usually better first thing so it’s worth an early start here. You can walk up to a viewing point close to the glaciers or visit Lake Matheson, renowned for its mirror images of Aoraki/Mt Cook (New Zealand’s Highest Peak).  For a first hand encounter with the glaciers we can arrange various activities for you from full or half day glacier hikes to heli-hikes and scenic flights across to Mount Cook and over the glaciers. 

For details of Punakaiki accommodation, Fox and Franz Josef accommodation or for tour suggestions click on the links on the right. Our experienced consultants can easily build any of these experiences into a tailor-made New Zealand holiday quote for you.