Greymouth - South Island, New Zealand

Greymouth is the West Coast's largest centre with a history deep in goldmining. It sits at the mouth of the Grey River.

The most stylish way to arrive in Greymouth is on the daily TranzAlpine train from Christchurch. The Greymouth Airport only has flights to and from Wellington with Air West Coast. Greymouth has plenty of taxis or you can pick up a rental car when you hop off the TranzAlpine.

Greymouth itself really only has a couple of attractions - a jade heritage with high quality greenstone carvings, and Monteiths Brewery where you can tour and taste the West Coast's best ale.

But the great outdoors surrounding Greymouth will beckon travellers, with caving, rafting and dolphin watching as the main attractions.

The main outlets for jade, namely Jade County, Jade Trail and Shades of Jade are well worth a visit for information on, the history of and purchase of local jade.

Greymouth is a good base for the Point Elizabeth Track, beginning over the river north of the suburb Cobden. Or for a shorter walk and a place to watch the sun go down, there is the King Domain Walk that meanders through the bush to a panoramic view over the town and the Southern Alps.

Eating and drinking in Greymouth are limited but tasty, hearty dishes are easy to find in and around Mackay St, and for evening entertainment there are numerous pubs and mainstream movies.

Southwards towards Hokitika, is Shantytown (3km inland from SH6). This town is a recreation of an 1860's gold mining town, with post office, rescued old buildings, a saloon pub and a "House of Ill Repute". There is gold panning and train-riding with many stories being told.

Further south on the wild coastal road is a desolate stretch of coast that is perfect for long beachcombing walks.

Greymouth Accommodation

The West Coast's main town offers a number of motels as well as hotels, backpackers and camping grounds accommodation.

Greymouth Activities

The Point Elizabeth Walkway (three hours, 8 kilometres) heads north of Greymouth into the Rapahoe Range Scenic Reserve. The Floodwall Walk from Cobden Bridge towards Blaketown is short and sweet (2 kilometresm return, 30 minutes).

There are plenty of mountainbike trails with places to rent bikes. There is also a quad bike adventure which is a 2 hour "Bush 'n Bog" ride. Or you can travel in the amphibious 8WD.

There are plenty of rafting options around Greymouth on the Arnold, Buller and Grey Rivers where you will encounter Grade II to IV rapids.

There is also a heli-rafting excursion. For something different there is a challenging caving trip into the Taniwha cave system which will have you floating through a subterranean glow-worm gallery.

Out on the sea, there are Dolphin Watching charters available. There is good consistent surf at Cobden Beach and Seven Mile Beach, but it is dangerous for swimming.

LooknbookNZ can arrange your Greymouth accommodation and Greymouth activities letting you and your family/friends savour the wildness and in-sync with nature character of Greymouth.