Experience New Zealand's West Coast by mixing and mingling with the locals. The region is famous for its down to earth and generous hospitality. It is a place with as many stories as there are characters, always willing to pull up a chair and share stories. The natural beauty of 'The Coast' is like no other, with its lush green rainforests and untouched rivers.

Join our 6-day, in depth exploration of the northern West Coast. We have met with the locals to create a special tour experience where you will meet them and learn about what it is like to be a ‘Coaster’. You will meet the remarkable people who understand the land and are familiar with the culture and heritage of the area. If you think you have been to the West Coast, this is the chance to discover it on a whole new level.

As usual your guide will be with you all the way to navigate the backroads and make the introductions.

All accommodation, transport and meals are organised for you from Blenheim return. Just pay your own bar tab.

Tour Highlights

• Big tree hunting at Lake Kaniere with Phil Barker (As in New Zealand Geographic)

• Stay at Phil’s 5 star motel in Hokitika for 2 nights

• 2 meals at the Pioneer Hotel, just around the corner and Phil’s favourite ‘leaner’

• Learn about pounamu/greenstone and the spiritual and economic significance it has for the local hapu, Ngāti Waewae, from Te Rua Mason at the beautiful Arahura River.

• Enjoy a relaxed guided walk at the Hokitika Gorge one of New Zealand’s loveliest walks. It is very easy and takes around 1 hour

• Wander the historic sites of the gold and coal mining industry such as the Tunnel Walk at Stafford and the  Brunner Mine Heritage Site

• Take a poignant guided tour with Coaster Charlie, through a turn of the century cemetery which he is lovingly doing up. It is a window into the lives of the first European pioneers

• Travel by 4X4 with experienced tour guide Mickey Ryan to the Denniston Plateau, here he will teach you about the plateau’s unique flora and fauna and share with you his considerable knowledge of the coal industry from the perspective of the locals

• Stay for 2 nights at the historic Lantern Hotel at Reefton. Reefton is like stepping back in time and is a vibrant community

• The Reefton Sacred Heart School will share a special bar-b-que with you, with the proceeds going to the school.

• Learn about the lives of the early gold mining families when you join local storyteller Tony Fortune at Waiuta, a restored historical gold mining town

• There will be surprizes, bonus short walks and more when you join our fun and informative tour