West Coast Attractions
The West Coast or Westland region extends for more than 500km along the west coast of the South Island, from Jackson Bay and the Haast River in the south to Karamea in the north. It is a narrow coastal belt of dense rain forest backed inland by high mountains that is nowhere more than 50km wide. The region has a population of only 35,000, which has been steadily declining for many years.
The principal towns in the region are Graymouth, Westport and Hokitika. It has many relics of the pioneer days of loggers and gold miners - although the infrastructure has been much improved since then by the building of roads.
Discovery
Abel Tasman and Captain Cook sailed along this inhospitable coast, and the hinterland was later explored by Thomas Brunner and Julius von Haast, who discovered the region's extensive coalfields.
The principal towns in the region are Graymouth, Westport and Hokitika. It has many relics of the pioneer days of loggers and gold miners - although the infrastructure has been much improved since then by the building of roads.
Discovery
Abel Tasman and Captain Cook sailed along this inhospitable coast, and the hinterland was later explored by Thomas Brunner and Julius von Haast, who discovered the region's extensive coalfields.
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Lowland Rain Forest
The high rainfall on the west coast has produced a type of rain forest that is unique in the world. This lowland rain forest has a variety of species rarely found anywhere else. Recent proposals to exploit its economic potential by extensive felling have met fierce resistance from conservationists all over the world.
Fenian Range
North of Karamea is the Fenian Range, in which is a system of karstic caves. In the Opara Valley are a number of natural bridges formed by the collapse of caves. The Honeycomb Caves, in which the remains of extinct bird species were found, can be entered only with permission from the Department of Conservation.
Karamea, New Zealand
Karamea, near the northwestern tip of the South Island, is the end point of the Heaphy Track (Abel Tasman National Park). It has a dry, sunny climate. In 1874 incomers from Nelson settled in the fertile surrounding area. Until the building of a road from Westport in 1915 Karamea could be reached only by sea or via the Heaphy Track. A severe earthquake in 1929 destroyed the harbor at the mouth of the river.
Karamea Information Centre
Bridge Street
Karamea, West Coast
New Zealand
Bridge Street
Karamea, West Coast
New Zealand
Wanga Peka Track
Southeast of Karamea is the start of the Wanga Peka Track, which runs through the Northwest Nelson Forest Park.
