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West Coast

Facts - South Island's West Coast - while the length of NZ’s South Island is over 1000 km, the South West corner and coastline are home to NZ’s fiords, inaccessible by road. The West Coast road, taking you from Haast in the south west to Westport in the north, is approximately 430km (265miles). It’s home to lush rainforest and wild coastline but the jewels in the West Coast crown have to be the world-famous phenomena of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. They’re not just a distant glimpse either, and many visitors are amazed by how close you can get to these wonders of nature. Glaciers and views aside, there’s plenty to keep the kids occupied on the trip up or down the coast, and lots of family-friendly accommodation to break your journey.
Westport - the West Coast’s northernmost township, Westport is home to 11,000 people and is situated in the Buller Region. Well worth a visit is the short detour out to Cape Foulwind.   From the carpark there’s a short, easy cliff walk that takes you to fantastic bird and sea viewpoints as well as the seal breeding colony. It’s well populated and you can usually see hundreds of seals lounging on the rocks or taking the odd dip. Westport offers small town amenities, including hospital, cafes, restaurants and pubs, basic shops and accommodation. Greymouth - the largest town on the West Coast and the commercial centre, Greymouth offers good amenities and is a central base for exploring. While feeling incredibly remote, it’s only 4 hours by road (Arthur’s Pass) or 41/2 hours via the stunning Tranz Alpine train route, from Christchurch. Greymouth is also just half an hour south of the incredible Pancake Rock formations at Punakaiki. Hokitika - only 40km south of Greymouth, and famous for its adventure sports lifestyle, fantastic beaches, laid back atmosphere, and perhaps most of all, Greenstone. The Glaciers - one of the most incredible sights in New Zealand are the Glaciers of Fox and Franz Josef. While we have hundreds of glaciers, mostly hidden in the depths of the Southern Alps, these two magnificent examples are impressively visible to passers-by – no multi day hikes to get up close!

WEST COAST FAMILY ACCOMMODATION We've researched dozens of accommodation options for your family travel to New Zealand. Whether you're heading for a hotel, campground, holiday park, motel, holiday home, self catering apartments or kiwi farmstay, we list options that welcome famiiles. Check out our great 'family stuff' pages for heaps of extras offered by the accommodation on these pages. NOTE Where nightly rates have been specified, these are minimum prices based on accommodation for 2 adults plus one extra. Prices do vary, depending on the time of year, length of stay and seasonal offers. This is a guide only. All establishments recommend booking ahead. We advise you to personally contact establishments for up to date information to suit the accommodation needs of your family.

West Coast Apartments
West Coast Motels
West Coast Hotels
West Coast Holiday Parks and Campgrounds
West Coast Holiday Homes
West Coast Farmstays
West Coast Bed and Breakfasts

Featured Listing

Greymouth Seaside Top 10 Holiday Park

Location:: 2 Chesterfield St, Greymouth, New Zealand
Nightly Rates From:: $56.00

Modern, clean and well equipped, we’re just 2.5km from Greymouth centre and the most family-friendly holiday park on the west coast! We offer 1 and 2 bedroom family units as well as family standard cabins (sleeping up to 6) and powered/unpowered campsites. Our family units include full kitchen and bathroom, Sky TV, DVD and stereo. General facilities include spa (private, for up to 6 people), BBQ, adventure playground, TV lounge, games room and laundry. All this just minutes from the beach. Look out for our jumping pillow, coming this summer! Go-karts for hire - ideal for children and adults and great fun for travelling around the campsite!