 The wildest, most dramatic and remote region of New Zealand is known as the West Coast, or Te Ika-a-Poutini in Maori. Only 31,000 people live in this amazingly rugged land, giving visitors a real sense of isolation and adventure.
The hardy locals here are known as ‘coasters’. They are famous throughout the country for their independence and friendliness. Having been geographically cut off from the rest of the country for so long by the Southern Alps, these ‘coasters’ have developed their own distinct version of New Zealand culture. Travellers will be charmed by the residents and awestruck by the natural beauty.
The West Coast is a wild place where glaciers push right down to the subtropical lowlands, and rivers and rainforests appear around every hill. The geological treasures in the West Coast are among New Zealand’s most impressive, and that’s saying something.
 From Kahurangi point in the north to the Awarua point at the southern end, there are more than 400 miles of rugged coastline to explore. The tempestuous Tasman Sea lies offshore, and the towering Southern Alps form an endless wall of glaciated peaks to the east. In between lie lush coastal plains where most of the towns are located.
Nearly everyone travels to the West Coast for the natural scenery and outdoor recreation. This region contains the last significant tracts of old-growth lowland forest in New Zealand. The Southern Alps trap the storms that roll in from the west, making the West Coast the wettest region in the country. But it’s this rain that makes the landscape unbelievably lush and verdant, so be sure and bring a good raincoat.
Most of the towns here have a historic atmosphere harking back to the mining boom. Small gold mining towns mix with the few urban enclaves like Greymouth and Westport. Lodging in this part of New Zealand is sparser than in the populated regions. But as the ecotourism industry continues to grow, so do the accommodation choices. Hotels and hostels for all budgets can be found in the towns, while more upscale nature resorts and immersive homestays dot particularly scenic parts of the region.
History
The first inhabitants of the rugged, isolated stretch of New Zealand’s West Coast region were the Maori. They came here seeking their sacred greenstone known as pounamu and established simple villages along the shores.
It wasn’t until the 1860s when the great gold rush struck New Zealand that the first Europeans arrived in the area. In 1864, two Maori men discovered gold in the Taramakau river. By the end of that year, nearly 2,000 prospectors had flocked to the West Coast. Most of them mined in the Hokitika area, which in 1866 was the most populated town in the country.
The gold rush of 1864 to 1867 created many small towns, some of which still thrive today. After the gold boom faded away, many of the prospectors and settlers moved on, but some stayed and began farming, logging and other business based around the natural resources of the region.
Coal and timber were the next big booms in the West Coast. First discovered around the Buller River, coal mining had emerged as the region’s largest industry by the 1880s. Dozens of coal mines opened in the northern parts of the West Coast, especially around Westport. Several of these mines are still in operation.
Timber has also been a traditional mainstay of West Coast industry. In recent years, however, forest conservation has become a major focus point. Much of the West Coast is now under the management of the nation’s Department of Conservation, which has protected some of New Zealand’s last and best remaining stands of native forest. This has encouraged the growth of ecotourism in the region which is slowly gaining ground over other forms of industry.
Weather
New Zealand’s West Coast is the wettest part of the country. It rains throughout the year, but receives the most precipitation between June and September. The one essential piece of clothing you will need when visiting the West Coast is a good rain jacket. But it’s this persistent rain that makes the region so lush and green, and there are certainly plenty of sunny days mixed in.
The peak season for tourism runs from October through April, as this is when the weather is at its finest. The daytime temperatures are pleasantly warm and the skies mostly sunny. It’s advised to make reservations for your accommodation and tours ahead of time if you visit during the summer season.
Whatever time of year you visit the West Coast, the weather is reasonably tolerable. Remember that the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere, so winter falls from June to September, and summer runs from November through March. The farther north you travel along the West Coast, the warmer and sunnier it tends to be. At the very northern end, the town of Nelson is actually the sunniest spot in New Zealand. But at the southern tip around Fiordland, conditions are usually cooler and rainier.
The yearly temperatures remain relatively moderate, although as you head up into the Southern Alps conditions get snowy and cold. Be sure and bring a range of clothing for this trip, with a mix of warm and cool weather clothes. Weather conditions are notorious for changing quickly here.
| 
