The Ultimate West Coast Roadie (7–10 Days)

Updated 01/10/26

A guide to the Wild West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand

There’s nothing quite like driving the length of the West Coast of New Zealand, where rainforest leans over the highway, glaciers sit almost at sea level, and every bend in the road reveals another moment worth pulling over for.

With a huge range of holiday parks, accommodation, and campgrounds the West Coast is built for road tripping. The driving is spectacular, the pull-offs are frequent, and the mix of short walks, beaches, forests and viewpoints means there’s always an excuse to hop out and explore.

The West Coast is also one of the most welcoming regions for campers and road trippers thanks to a collection of 74 Paid Campgrounds and 18 Free Campsites - which you can all find on CamperMate.

Explore the Karamea Coastal Road

Jump to a Section or Day

Explore the West Coast at your own pace—whether it’s glaciers, forests, or coastal views, skip straight to the day that excites you most.

Day 1: Christchurch → Arthur’s Pass → Lake Brunner 🏔️
Day 2: Lake Brunner → Greymouth → Punakaiki 🌊
Day 3: Punakaiki → Charleston → Karamea 🌿
Day 4: Karamea → Reefton ⛏️
Day 5: Reefton → Hokitika 🎨
Day 6: Hokitika → Glacier Country (Franz Josef & Fox) ❄️
Day 7: Glacier Country → Haast 🌲
Optional Days 8–10: Slow Down and Stay Awhile 🛶
Eat and drink your way along the West Coast 🍴

🏔️ Day 1: Christchurch → Arthur’s Pass → Lake Brunner

Begin your roadie by steering west into the mountains and through Arthur's Pass National Park, one of the South Island’s most dramatic alpine corridors. The journey takes you past the mighty Otira Viaduct, waterfalls tumbling right beside the road, and the occasional kea swooping in to inspect your vehicle.

Lake Brunner

Settled on the edge of Lake Brunner, Moana is the perfect first-night stop, offering calm water for a swim or paddle, forest walks like Carew Falls or the Lake Brunner Scenic Trail, and a relaxed introduction to life on the Coast. While you’re here, treat yourself to a soak in the hot tubs at Hotel Lake Brunner where you can also camp for the night— a blissful way to unwind after the drive.

Just be sure to book ahead, as the tubs take time to heat due to their wood-fired setup.

🌊 Day 2: Lake Brunner → Greymouth → Punakaiki

Once you roll into Greymouth, head to Pounamu Pathway, an immersive world-class cultural experience that brings Te Tai o Poutini’s stories to life. While you’re here, it’s also a good chance to fuel up and grab groceries before continuing to Punakaiki.

Heading north, the drive hugs a rugged stretch of coastline before bringing you to one of the West Coast’s most iconic sights: the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. These limestone stacks, carved into perfect pancake layers by nature, really put on a show when the tide is high and the blowholes thunder.

Take time to wander the short trails and soak up the drama before exploring more of Paparoa National Park.

Punakaiki Rocks

A must-do is the Truman Track, a gentle wander through lush coastal forest that suddenly opens to a secret beach framed by cliffs and sculpted rock. Stay the night at Punakaiki Beach Camp, where the surf will lull you to sleep.

🌿 Day 3: Punakaiki → Charleston → Karamea

Continue north to Charleston, a tiny settlement with a huge underground world waiting to be explored. It’s well worth joining an Underworld Adventures tour through a vast network of caves before floating out beneath a galaxy of glowworms.

From there, follow the coastline toward the Cape Foulwind Walkway, where the short cliff-top track offers sweeping ocean views and a lookout on to the Tauranga Bay Seal Colony, as you watch the resident fur seals lazing on the rocks below.

Ōpārara Arch

Near Karamea, you’ll find a primaeval world of dense subtropical forests concealing ancient underground cave systems. Explore the iconic Ōpārara Arch, or take a guided tour of Honeycomb Hill Caves to discover fossilised remains of extinct moa and the giant pouākai/Haast’s eagle.

Walk to Scott’s Beach, a deserted golden sand beach just 45 minutes into the Heaphy Track, one of New Zealand’s Great Walks.

Stay the night near Westport or follow the coastal road to Karamea.

⛏️ Day 4: Karamea → Reefton

Leaving the coast behind, the road winds inland through the impressive Buller Gorge before delivering you into Reefton, a former gold-mining town full of heritage charm. Reefton’s Broadway is lined with historic buildings, boutique shops, and cosy cafés, making it an easy place to linger.

Visit the Reefton Distilling Co. for a tasting of locally crafted spirits, take a wander along the Powerhouse Walk to learn about the town’s early electricity history, or simply enjoy the warm hospitality that Reefton is known for.

Reefton is one of New Zealand's most beautiful small towns

Reefton makes for a brilliant overnight stop with plenty of character.

Find a Paid Campground in Reefton or stay The Strand Free Campsite

🎨 Day 5: Reefton → Hokitika

The journey south to Hokitika brings you back to the coastline and into one of the Coast’s most creative, easy-going towns. A great stop along the way is Shantytown Heritage Park, where you can wander a recreated 19th-century gold mining village, ride a heritage steam train, and even try your luck panning for gold.

Hokitika is famous for its pounamu (greenstone), and visiting the local carving studios is a great way to learn about its cultural significance, before stopping for lunch at the Hokitika Sandwich Company, famous for their delicous fresh breads.

For a different perspective on the forest, head to the West Coast Treetop Walk & Tower Zipline, where you can wander high above the rainforest canopy on steel walkways or take an exhilarating zipline ride through the treetops. Hokitika Beach is a must for sunset, where the driftwood, surf and sky put on a nightly show.

The famous swingbridge and views at Hokitika Gorge

The next morning, make the short and unmissable walk out to the Hokitika Gorge, where vibrant blue water cuts through steep, forested cliffs — a true West Coast highlight.

Find a Paid Campground in Hokitika

❄️ Day 6: Hokitika → Glacier Country (Franz Josef & Fox)

As you move further south, the landscape shifts again, opening into one of the most dramatic regions in the country: Glacier Country.

Lake Matheson gives you a fantastic view of Glacier Country!

This is where ancient ice meets lush rainforest, and the valleys surrounding Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier offer some of the most accessible glacier viewpoints in the world.

Spend the day walking to lookouts (Robert's Point and the Fox Glacier View Point are two popular options), taking a scenic helicopter flight, or if you’re up for something unforgettable, joining a glacier heli hike at either Fox Glacier, or Franz Josef Glacier that lands you right onto the ice itself, allows you explore crevasses, blue ice formations and otherworldly frozen landscapes with a guide.

A visit to Lake Matheson, famous for its mirror-like reflections of Aoraki/Mt Cook on calm days, is an absolute must. Base yourself in Franz Josef or Fox Glacier township for the night; both have excellent holiday parks and plenty of places to unwind - including Waiho Hot Tubs, a great place to relax after a day exploring the glaciers.

Where to stay in Franz Josef:

• Franz Josef TOP 10 Holiday Park
• Rainforest Retreat Holiday Park
• Orange Sheep Campervan Park

Where to stay in Fox Glacier:

• Fox Glacier TOP 10 Holiday Park
• Fox Glacier Lodge & Campervan Park

🌲 Day 7: Glacier Country → Haast

From the glaciers, the road leads into the remote and rugged expanse of Haast, part of the UNESCO-listed Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage Area. This stretch is defined by lush rainforest, vast river valleys, and countless cascading waterfalls.

Easily accessible from Haast are short, easy walks to spots like Roaring Billy Falls and Thunder Creek Falls.

Welcome to Haast

Venturing down to Jackson Bay, visitors can truly experience a taste of off-the-beaten-path isolation. For an immersive adventure, be sure to embark on the Waiatoto River Safari, a scenic jet boat ride up the Waiatoto River into the heart of the wilderness.

Afterwards, refuel with delicious fresh seafood at The Craypot, an iconic little restaurant on the shores of Jackson Bay, where you might see some of the famous locals - the Fiordland crested penguin/tawaki, or you can try Monro Beach.

Those seeking a breathtaking aerial perspective can book a Heliservices Hanging Lakes Scenic Flight. Continuing from Haast, the dramatic Haast Pass leads towards Wānaka, or loop your way north again for more West Coast exploration.

Find a Paid Campground in Haast

🛶 Optional Days 8–10: Slow Down and Stay Awhile

If you have extra time, the Coast rewards those who take it slow. You might spend another day exploring the limestone formations and river tracks around Punakaiki, take a trip up to the Denniston Plateau, or simply tuck yourself into a campsite and enjoy the solitude.

Eat and drink your way along the West Coast

The West Coast might be known for wild landscapes and epic road trips, but there’s plenty to discover when it comes to food and drink too.

From independent cafés and bakeries to local breweries, bars and restaurants, you’ll find plenty of places to stop and refuel as you make your way down the Coast. Reefton and Hokitika are particularly good places to slow down for a coffee, grab a bite or settle in for a drink after a day on the road.

The region also has a strong local produce scene, with plenty of casual spots serving up hearty meals that are perfect after a morning spent hiking, exploring caves or chasing waterfalls. Be sure to try the local specialty - whitebait fritters!

To help you find somewhere worth stopping at, we’ve rounded up some of our recommended food and drink spots along the West Coast, so you can discover a new café, grab a local brew or find somewhere good for dinner along your route.

Explore the West Coast’s top food & drink stops →