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West Coast
Grey District
WESTCOAST
Set Between the sometimes
stormy expanse of the Tasman
Sea and the unbroken chain
of the Southern Alps, the West
Coast is a breathtaking 600
kilometres of mountains and
glaciers, tranquil lakes and
unruly rivers, primeval forests
and magnificent coastline.
When the Dutch explorer Abel
Tasman first sighted the West
Coast of the South Island in
1642, he described it as `a large
land uplifted high'. In 1770
English navigator James Cook
called it `a rugged and barren
aspect'.
Long before European explorers
passed this way, this rugged
stretch of land had been
named by the Maori Te Wahi
Pounamu, or the place of
Pounamu (New Zealand jade).
Set between the sometimes
stormy expanse of the Tasman
Sea and the unbroken chain
of the Southern Alps, the West
Coast is a breathtaking 600
kilometres of mountains and
glaciers, tranquil lakes and
unruly rivers, primeval forests
and magnificent coastline.
GREYMOUTH
Greymouth is both the
geographic and commercial
`Heart of the West Coast'. With
the Great Coast Road to the
north, lush green hills to the
east, the roaring Tasman Sea to
the west and spectacular views
of the Southern Alps and Mt
Cook to the south. Greymouth's
central location makes it the
perfect base to explore `One of
the top ten regions in the world'
(Lonely Planet).
The town centre has a selection
of cafés, restaurants and
boutique shopping perfect for a
coffee or retail fix. Experience a
visual feast of jade carving, art
work and photography in the
local galleries.
Greymouth boasts a great range
of accommodation including
seaside holiday parks, modern
and well equipped motels,
hotels, apartments, bed and
breakfasts and backpacker
accommodation. No matter
the budget, you'll find an easy
accommodation match.
Greymouth is the turnaround
point of the world renowned
TranzAlpine train journey, the
start of the new West Coast
Wilderness Trail cycle trail
and also one of only a few
locations around the world