West Coast Eco Tours
2 or 3 Day: Northern Coastal Tour (Karamea)
Discover the real beauty and wildlife on the Wild West Coast between Greymouth, Karamea and beyond. We follow the scenic Coast Road into Paparoa National Park. Take an informative walk, to the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes, through subtropical rainforest and along stunning coastal beaches with picturesque coves and sea views. At Fox River enter Teonumata Cavern used as a shelter by Maori on the Greenstone Trail for many centuries and at Charleston view Constant Bay, where ships entered this treacherous little cove as early as 1866. While at Cape Foulwind view fur seals and other coastal wildlife enjoying their daily ritual. Karamea is the gateway to the Kahurangi National Park staying the amazing Last Resort Lodge. Travel beyond the coastal highway inland to the subtropical Oparara Basin – a magical paradise of golden rivers, spanned by magnificent arches, caves full of New Zealand’s early creatures fallen amongst delicate formations and a forest of lush subtropical abundance, with native orchids, hanging mosses and prolific bird life. Wade through a forest of ferns amongst the magnificent podocarps, as every turn of the river reveals another magical element off the Oparara.
Northern Coastal Tour Options:
- Honeycomb Cave Tour
- The Denniston Experience (Journey Inward)
- 3 Day Tour
Adult NZ$675, Two or more enquire
Full Day: Arthurs Pass – Southern Alps Tour
First stop takes us back in time at the Brunner Mines Site and memorial. This giant sized statue is a tribute to all those who have died in West Coast coal mines. Lightening it up we move on to the Kotokou Pottery. This pottery is world-renowned and you are shown through the whole process, wheel, salt glazed and wood, coal, & electric fired. An easy 30 minute walk at Lake Brunner on the Rakaitane Track taking you into neat reflections and a Podocarp forest. More reflections at Iveagh Bay make a beautiful tranquil setting. We travel through sheep, beef and dairy farming up a glacier made valley to Otira. From here we are in the heart of the majestic Southern Alps with its alpine plants, magnificent waterfalls, short walks, cheeky Kea’s and the Alpine Village of Arthur’s Pass National Park, where the pristine scenery brings the new together with the old. We see side by side the new Otira viaduct and parts of the route where the stage coach first traversed to the West Coast.
Adult NZ$230, Child NZ$115, Family NZ$485 (2a+2c). Includes lunch
Full Day: Coastal Nature Tour
Discover the real beauty and wildlife of the Coastal areas adjoining the Paparoa National Park and beyond to Cape Foulwind. This unique tour explores a coastline shaped by the notorious westerlies, which roll in from the Southern Ocean. To the South stretches a vista of snow capped mountains extending to Mt Cook. This tour visits the Pancakes Rocks, famous for their frothing surge pools, blowholes and sculptured sea stacks. Walk under a canopy of subtropical rain forest among majestic Nikau, giant Rimu dressed in an overcoat of Kiekie and bound with a tangle of Supplejack. Wander along a coastline of hidden beaches and coves, towering cliffs, tidal platforms and jumbled blocks, carved cliff overhangs and rock pools. Marvel at the early marine life fused forever as fossils in the sandstone seashore. At Cape Foulwind opportunities abound to see fur seals and other coastal wildlife enjoying their daily rituals.
Coastal Nature Tour Options:
- Experience the Metro Cave & its waterways.
- Nile River Bush Tram
Adult NZ$210, Child NZ$105, Family NZ$525 (2a+2c). Includes picnic lunch
Half Day: Scenic Treasure Tour to Punakaiki
Follow the scenic Coast Road into the Paparoa National Park. Your knowledgeable Tour Guide will lead you on an informative walk to the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks known internationally for frothing surge pools, blowholes and sculptured sea stacks. Later walk under a canopy of subtropical rain forest to stunning coastal beaches with picturesque coves and sea views. At Fox River enter Teonunata Cavern used as a shelter by Maori on the Greenstone Trail for many centuries.
Adult NZ$100, Child NZ$50, Family NZ$250 (2a+2c)
Children (to 14 years) half price (Under 5 free)
Enquire about our family discounts.