Explore South Westland

Explore West Coast will pick you up from your accommodation and you will head off South. First stopping in at Tree Top Walkway, Ross Goldfields then down to Franz Josef. On the way back call into Okarito for photos and history of the area.

Tree Top Walkway is an Exhilarating Treetop Adventure among temperate rainforest giants. Experience life with the birds, high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy.

Easy access for all to enjoy along a steel platform 20 metres high and over 450 metres long. Enjoy a leisurely 45 minute to one hour stroll through the beautiful West Coast rainforest tree tops. 

Ross Goldfields, The Ross Goldfields Information & Heritage Centre is located at the southern end of Aylmer Street and is the one-stop spot for gold mining history and regional information. The centre boasts a small museum where a replica of NZ’s largest gold nugget The Hon Roddy resides. This was uncovered at Ross in 1909. There is the Award-winning DVD “Ross Gold Town” which plays continuously, numerous models, artefacts, photographs and old newspaper articles. There are also countless research documents available that relate to Ross’ extensive past, including mining and cemetery records.

The township of Franz Josef is a popular tourist hot spot with thousands visiting the town to view the famous Franz Josef Glacier. Walk up to the Glacier terminal face along a marked track following the river bed for those photo opportunities. The track is 30min return, this can be subject to change due to access restrictions. Good foot ware is required and a good level of fitness is recommended. 

Visit the Wildlife Centre, home to our native bird, the Rowi Kiwi. An all weather indoor attraction where you can view the rarest Kiwi bird and the Tuatara. Spectacular glacier exhibit, interactive displays with West Coast movie viewing and story telling. New Zealand souvenirs gift shop and cafe onsite.

Add on a helicopter scenic 20-40 minute flight options available for additional cost. Fly up the Glacier and land on top of the Glacier for another photo opportunity. Advise us you wish to add this in and we can make the arrangements for you. Weather dependent so you will pay on the day for this additional extra.

On your way back stop in at Okarito for photos, Ōkārito is a small coastal settlement on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, 127 kilometres southwest of Hokitika, and 10 kilometers from State Highway 6. It is built at the southern end of the Ōkārito Lagoon at the mouth of the Ōkārito River.

MEETING POINT

Please note that our main pick up is Greymouth isite Visitor Centre at the Railway Station, 164 Mackay Street.

 Unless a alternative selected hotel accommodation is chosen at time of booking. Please be ready 15 min before departure time of tour.

Terms and Conditions: Report 15 minutes prior to departure time. If you need to amend or cancel the booking reservation  please advise Explore West Coast without delay. No shows or cancellation within 24 hours of the product departure time will result in 100% cancellation fee. Vouchers are subject to regulations and bylaws of the respective operators to whom they are issued. All vouchers are valid for the services as detailed on the vouchers. Terms and conditions are subject to change without notice.

Explore West Coast cancellation policy 

Within the result of you not being able to make our tour please see the below information on cancellation here at Explore West Coast.

Change of date or holding of booking upto 24 hours before travel.

Any booking canceled within 72 hours to 24 hours before travel will result in a refund minus 10% booking fee. 

Within 24 hours before travel no refund will be given.

Full refund for any booking canceled outside of the 72 hour cut off period.

This policy also stands in the situation of COVID level alert change which affects the tour operation or the lockdown of a region the customer is traveling from and in which case a change of date or hold of booking will be offered within the 24 hour period. 

COVID: As you will be aware from 11.59 pm on 2 December 2021 we moved to the new Traffic Light System here in New Zealand. We are operating and welcome your bookings. All Explore West Coast Tour drivers / guides are fully vaccinated. Mask's are mandatory in tour group settings, sanitizer is available on board. We pride ourselves on the cleanliness of our vehicles. After each tour, our vehicles are cleaned and disinfected to a high standard. 

Bad weather which impacts your tour experience, Explore West Coast will offer you a 12 month credit to use on a tour of your choice or alternatively a travel or a Station Gift Shop credit to spend. T&c's apply if booked with an agent.