It’s an area truly dominated by nature and its many forms, from Nikau palm rainforests of the North, to the glaciated valleys and fortress-like peaks of the South.
It’s an astounding fact that this stretch of Coast is over 600km long and home to only 1% of the Country’s population, leaving a lot of space to roam and explore. While much can be seen not too far from the State Highway, you will need adequate gear and potentially helicopters to go off and explore some of the otherwise unexplorable inner realms. The West Coast is often well-known for its less-than-favourable weather patterns, with heavy storms often rolling in from the Tasman Sea.
The ‘Coasters’ are a friendly and independent community who will no doubt, add to your amazing experience following this rugged coastline. I’ve been lucky enough to travel the length of the West Coast on multiple occasions, only to find myself captivated yet astounded by its remoteness and startling change in ecosystems each time.
Choosing the top 5 places to visit along this 600km stretch of rugged coast is difficult, but I am certain nonetheless that these natural features and gems, will be fantastic additions to any travel experience you find yourself on and I’m sure you will enjoy them just as much as I did.
The Heaphy Track
To be named one of New Zealand’s 9 Great Walks immediately sets the tone for what is an incredible journey through nature. I can’t think of a walk I have done that covers more different ecosystems than the Heaphy Track. Being the Longest of the Great walks done on foot at 78km, the journey takes you from the rugged coastline and Nikau Rainforest of the West Coast, right through the baron plains of the Gouland downs, passing through the mountain-scapes of Perry Saddle before finishing on the shores of the roaring Brown River.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2019 - January 2020-Ausgabe von Adventure Magazine.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 2019 - January 2020-Ausgabe von Adventure Magazine.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Papua New Guinea
Four reasons to add Papua New Guinea to your bucket list
The benefits of being a Multi-Trick Pony
"A broad skill base and how you can draw from one platform to the next – women often pigeon hole themselves"
The RELUCTANT adventurer
An eighteen-year-old princess, who paints his (yes, his) nails and dyes his hair bleach blonde, embarking on an adventure trip with his family, sounds like a plot for a bad 80s movie.
The Meaning of Tramping
What does tramping mean to you?
Keala Kennelly owns Red Bull Magnitude
The North Shore season of 1957 is recognized in the surfing world as the start of an era. When Greg Noll, a young Mickey Munoz and company went out and rode Waimea for the first time, it was a glimpse of what could be in the world of big-wave surfing.
North West Circuit Stewart Island
I found myself in limbo during the winter of 2020, in between jobs in a strained covid economy. And so, I did what any outdoors person would do with a large amount of free time on their hands. It was time to pack up my belongings and hit the road. It was time to leave behind home comforts and go adventure-seeking.
Emilie's adventure to Angelus Hut
“I want to be the leader!” Miss Six announced, pushing past me in her determination to be in front. Momentarily off-balance with my heavy pack, I narrowly avoided twisting an ankle on the sharp rocks and silently swore while cracking a bright smile.
Nancy Jiang Breaking stereotypes
I recently watched a youtube movie entitled, “Her Way” (check it out on the Adventure Website) which introduced a woman who had an overwhelming passion for running. The preface at the bottom of the clip, read as follows:
Adversity at Altitude
The wind and snow is whipping at my face. I’ve readjusted the stiff frozen fleece buff around my neck and mouth, desperately trying to protect myself from the -20 degree bitter wind. Adrenaline is still pumping through my body but I know I’ll start to get cold soon.
Last Great Mountaineering Challenge
Ground-breaking mountaineer Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja MBE has attained an incredible new world record by submitting K2 as part of a collaborative team in the depths of winter. Until now, it was a record that was believed to be impossible to accomplish and was famously known as the ‘last great mountaineering challenge’.
