Greymouth District
Introduction
The Greymouth District offers a range of short walks and walking tracks suitable for day visitors. You can learn about the area's mining history or walk along the coastline.
Features
Greymouth is the largest population centre on the West Coast and was established on the banks of the Grey River. The first dwellings were established by Maori prior to the arrival of Europeans and the settlement was known as Mawhera.
The discovery of gold and coal expanded the population of the area and the legacy of this activity is the basis of many of the recreational opportunities in this district. Point Elizabeth Walkway and Woods Creek Track are tracks built around the features left by gold mining activity.
Coal mining activity centred around the Brunner Mine which is now a site of national significance. It was New Zealand's most productive 19th century coal mine, and is the site of the country's worst mining disaster. It is now a protected historic site which is easy for people to explore the remains of old industrial buildings.
The Greymouth District has a backdrop of hills covered in different types of native forest some of which is regenerating. Tracks such as Point Elizabeth and Woods Creek give people the opportunity to walk through this forest. Shorter walks closer to the town provide this opportunity also.
Geologically this area features high bluffs, sea stacks, driftwood strewn beaches, and fault lines resulting in features such as waterfalls.
The Greymouth/Mawheranui Area office for the Department of Conservation is located in Greymouth.
From Greymouth you can explore many places of interest in the hinterland including Lake Brunner, Nelson Creek, Victoria Forest Park and the Springs Junction - Lewis Pass area, or go north and explore the Southern Paparoa Range.
Location
Greymouth is located on the West Coast, South Island.
Getting there
Greymouth is easy to get to. You can travel down SH6 via Westport or turn off SH6 at Inangahua Junction and drive down via Reefton on SH69 and SH7. People are able to approach from the south using SH6. Those arriving on the West Coast using SH73 over Arthur's Pass need to turn right onto SH6 at Kumara Junction. There is also the TranzAlpine train which travels from Christchurch to Greymouth return each day.
Activities
Bird and wildlife watching
Fishing
Historic sites
Kayaking and canoeing
Mountain biking and cycling
Surfing
Bird and wildlife watching
Point Elizabeth is an excellent place to see seals, Hector's dolphins and seabirds.
Historic sites
Brunner Mine Site is a Category 1 Historic Places Trust site with good facilities and interpretation.
Kayaking and canoeing
Paroa Lagoon is a lovely kayaking spot and can be accessed by turning off SH6 at Paroa.
Mountain biking and cycling
There are mountain biking opportunities on old forest roads behind Greymouth, in particular Noname Road at Camerons.
The Westland Wilderness Trail is one of the Great Rides under Nga Haerenga, The New Zealand Cycle Trail. The section in the Greymouth District is still under construction but the stretch between Blaketown and Paroa has been completed.
Surfing
Surf breaks along the coast near Greymouth include Rapahoe, Cobden and Blaketown.
Places to stay
Greymouth offers a wide range of accommodation options.
Weather
Weather conditions can change rapidly - rain can make even small streams rise quickly, and slips and damage to bridges can occur. Before starting out it is best to check with your local DOC office for the latest weather and track conditions.
Plan and prepare
You should wear comfortable footwear and take wet weather clothes as the West Coast is known for sudden changes in the weather.
In areas where gold mining has occurred it is advisable to keep to the track as there could be mine shafts scattered through the area, many often covered by vegetation.
Related link
Walks in Greymouth and surrounding areas brochure (PDF, 525K)
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