Epic views and natural wonders

Head inland from Westport to the small town of Reefton, established around 1870 and the first place in the Southern Hemisphere to have electric streetlights. With a mix of old charm and new, many shops on the main street have kept their early 1900s feel. Instagram-worthy murals depict what life was like when Reefton was a buzzing gold rush town.

The Bearded Miners bring history to life. Sit in front of the fire, enjoy a cup of billy tea, watch pieces of iron and steel being shaped on the blacksmith forge or try your hand at gold panning where flakes of gold are 'guaranteed' to be found.

If you are a gin lover, visit Reefton Distilling Co for a tour and tasting, or just to buy a bottle to take home.

For more gold mining history, take a 45-minute drive to Waiuta, once the largest producer of gold in New Zealand but now a ghost town with some interesting and informative walks.

Continue on toMaruia Hot Springs for a soak in soothing thermal mineral waters. Instantly unplug, relax and rejuvenate surrounded by the picturesque mountains and forests of the Lewis Pass National Reserve.

On the way to Greymouth, stop in the tiny township of Barrytown, founded in the 1860s gold rush, now home to many artists and craftspeople. Fossick for pounamu / greenstone on the local beach, consider carving it into something special to take home at Bonz ‘n’ Stonz when you get to Hokitika.

Further down the road in Runanga, take a stroll through shady trees to the Coal Creek Falls, a nice place to cool off with a swim in summer.

Explore Greymouth, the West Coast’s 'big smoke', with around 8,000 inhabitants. Stroll along Greymouth’s floodwall, for views of the Grey River bar and to get an insight into the region’s coal and gold mining past — look out for the interpretation panels as you go.

Check out theLeft Bank Art Gallery housed in the former Bank of New Zealand, with part of the exhibition in the old vault. Sit down for a meal at Sevenpenny or grab a packed lunch from family-owned Blanchfield’s Bakery. There are also tours, tastings and CFC (Coast-fried-chicken) at New Zealand’s original craft beer brewery, Monteith's.

Further south, the one-hour loop walk through lush native forest to Hokitika Gorge rewards with incredible views of the rocky gorge with its calm, almost otherworldly turquoise waters. Another waterside wander near Hokitika is around beautiful Lake Kaniere, where still waters reflect lush rainforest and mountain views. Leading away from the lake, the well formed Kaniere Water Race Trail follows an impressive historic waterway (hand-dug in 1875) through a bird-filled forest.

End your day on Hokitika beach, where the driftwood sign and sunset make for great shots. Grab a Fat Pipi pizza just across the road and spend the night at one of the town’s many accommodation options.

The road trip south to Haast passes through some of New Zealand’s most spectacular and diverse landscapes — from mountains to rugged coastline.

South of Fox Glacier, a wonderfully wild windswept beach bordered by towering rimu trees awaits in Bruce Bay. Just north of Knights Point, take an easy walk through luxuriant coastal forest to the remote Monro Beach. In spring, you may see Fiordland crested penguins / tawaki in the surf and on the beach. Take care not to disturb these rare birds.

On the Ship Creek walk, ancient kahikatea swamp forest provides a glimpse back in time to what much of the West Coast may have looked like prior to human settlement. Keep an eye out for Hector’s dolphins in the surf.

Make your way down to Haast, one the great natural wonders of the world. Haast sits within Te Wāhipounamu South West New Zealand, 2.6 million hectares recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Area, due to its unique wilderness unlike any other place on earth.

You can explore on foot, or take a guided tour by jet boat up the Waiatoto River. For fish and chips at the end of the road, take a scenic drive to Jackson Bay for lunch at the Cray Pot.