West Coast Highway SH6 — Westport to the Franz JosefGlaciers.
Distance
330 km
Duration
2 days
Climb
2,000 m
West Coast Highway SH6 — Westport to the Franz Josef Glaciers.
A two-day run down New Zealand's wild West Coast on SH6, the only through-road on the coast. From the river port of Westport, past the limestone Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, through greenstone country and on to the rainforest glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox. Few roads pack so much contrast into one ride.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance330 km
Days2
Total climb2,000 m
DifficultyModerate
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2 days, 2 moods.
A suggested split across 2 days with 10 waypoints to discover along the way.
WestportStart · Start in Westport, the West Coast's largest town. Fuel up — services thin out heading south. SH6 is the only through-road on the coast.
Cape Foulwind & Tauranga BayScenic Point · Short detour to a New Zealand fur seal breeding colony on a wild headland. Named by Captain Cook in 1770 after foul weather pinned his ship here.
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & BlowholesPhoto Spot · The signature West Coast stop — layered limestone stacks and blowholes that erupt at high tide. Time your visit near high tide for the best show.
GreymouthScenic Point · The coast's biggest town and end of the TranzAlpine railway. Monteith's Brewery is here. Last major supermarket before the glaciers.
HokitikaOvernight · Overnight in Hokitika, the historic greenstone (pounamu) town. Watch the sunset from the driftwood beach. Good range of motels and cafes.
Hokitika GorgeScenic Point · A 33km inland detour to startlingly turquoise glacial-flour water and a swing bridge. Worth the early start before the tour buses arrive.
RossScenic Point · Tiny gold-rush town where NZ's largest gold nugget — the 3kg Honourable Roddy — was found in 1909. Rejoin SH6 heading south.
Lake MapourikaPhoto Spot · The largest of the Westland lakes — mirror-still at dawn with reflections of the Southern Alps. Kahikatea forest lines the shore.
Franz Josef GlacierScenic Point · One of the few glaciers on earth that descends into temperate rainforest. The valley walk reaches the terminal-face viewpoint; heli-hikes land on the ice.
Fox GlacierEnd · Finish in Fox Glacier village. Don't miss Lake Matheson nearby for the classic Aoraki/Mt Cook reflection at sunrise.
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