West Coast Wilderness

The next stop on this intrepid journey is on the West Coast, one of the last truly significant examples of untamed natural wilderness left anywhere in the country. Natural wilderness abounds in this region, upon which the locals have created a diverse range of activities, attractions and accommodation offerings. Travelling down the West Coast is effortless. The coastal highway hugs the wild coastline for much of its length and provides stunning vistas, inland to the towering peaks of the Southern Alps and westward to the deep blue Tasman Sea.

Along its 600-kilometre length, State Highway 6 is the primary access point to a host of small towns, hamlets and settlements, many of them created more than a century ago when gold and coal mining hit their peak and ancient native trees fell to pioneers’ axes for ship-building and land clearance for agriculture. No-one does history and heritage like the West Coast.

It’s to Glacier Country and its multitude of adventures this trip takes us. Located in the south of the West Coast, this key area of visitor experiences incorporates small settlements, several internationally-significant wildlife reserves and of course the twin glaciers, Fox and Franz Josef.

Glacier Country ticks all the boxes, with the chance to mix and match depending on our own preferences. We can be as active or as passive as we want in such an environment.

Fox and Franz Josef glaciers are the most accessible rivers of ice in the world. They’ve existed for millennia but it’s not till you are standing on their surface, feet fixed firmly to terra firma after a breathtaking heli- flight, that you come to realise just how powerful they have been in carving a passage through such vast expanses of solid rock.

Lake Matheson’s mirror-images of the Southern Alps peaks, the Okarito wildlife reserve, the small village of Whataroa - the starting point of tours to view the only nesting site of the beautiful kotuku/white heron in New Zealand - and Gillespie’s beach with its impressive seal colony provide the complete package for a stay in Glacier Country.

Just as the coastal highway begins its ascent through the alps enroute to Wanaka we stop over in the Whitebait Capital of the World. Going through Haast without sampling the most delicious patties jam-packed with this local specialty would have been unforgiveable.

Any visit to Glacier Country will be unforgettable, the stuff of memories that last a lifetime. Highlights FARM TO FARM TOURS Have you ever wanted to take a closer look at how and where New Zealand’s world-leading food, wine and fibre is produced? Or meet the passionate people who make it happen?

Join one of Farm To Farm’s small group tours with a rural flavour exploring beautiful South Island regions: meet great people, take in those bucket-list experiences and get onto farms and high country stations down dusty country driveways to enjoy fantastic farming hospitality. From the West Coast, magical Fiordland and Stewart Island to Central Otago, Canterbury and bountiful Nelson and Marlborough, there’s plenty to interest. farmtofarm.co.nz

SHANTYTOWN HERITAGE PARK

Offering 50 years’ experience in preserving the West Coast’s pioneer history of the 19th century. Shantytown is an ideal place to spend a few hours with your family. You’ll gain an understanding of the wider environment and mind-set that sculpts what we know as ‘Coasters’ to this day.

Be sure to take the heritage train ride and pan for your piece of West Coast gold from up at their gold claim. While riding on the train is leisurely, getting the knack of a gold pan isn’t quite as straight forward. Patience will pay dividends! shantytown.co.nz

UNDERWORLD ADVENTURES

For a truly unique adventure, try Underworld Rafting with Underworld Adventures. This four hour experience showcases NZ’s best GlowWorm display while floating through on a large underground lake, complete with pristine stalactite and stalagmite formations. Upon your exit from the cave you’ll experience a fun tube ride down the Nile River back to your starting point. Your local guides will amaze you with stories of the original explorers in the massive Ananui Cave system, while ensuring you leave filled with wonder and knowledge. It’s a very special adventure in a simply superb environment! caverafting.com

BULLER GORGE SWINGBRIDGE

On your way through the Upper Buller Gorge stop off at Buller Gorge Swingbridge, New Zealand’s longest swingbridge, the perfect place to have a break, take a photo of the river and see some fascinating history.

The Faultline loop walk encompasses the famous White’s Creek Faultline, the epicentre of the 1929 Murchison earthquake, historical goldworkings and the chance to look for gold by the river. You can also fly back on one of the high speed flying- fox rides either singly or in tandem with a friend or child. Buller Canyon Jetboat also operate from here in what Lonely Planet describes as “Renowned Jetboating”. bullergorge.co.nz