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West Coast, South Island Wheelchair accessible

Our most recommended West Coast, South Island Wheelchair accessible

Greymouth: Monteith's Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting

1. Greymouth: Monteith's Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting

Start your tour in the Beertopia Room which houses our very own Monteith's Museum. Get an introduction to the heritage and rich stories of the origins of Monteith's, starting in 1868 on the West Coast. Move into the brewery to see, touch, taste (if you're up for it) and smell New Zealand grown ingredients used to make craft beer. Take your time to walk through the brewhouse and packaging house as your expert guide talks you through the process involved with crafting the 150-year-old beer recipes. Receive video, visual and verbal prompts throughout the tour to help you to understand the various techniques and technical terms our brewers are so familiar with. End the tour with a lesson on how to achieve the 'perfect pour'. For those over 18, pour yourself your very own tap beer, taste and enjoy.

Franz Josef: 3-Hour Kayak Tour on Lake Mapourika

2. Franz Josef: 3-Hour Kayak Tour on Lake Mapourika

Gear up for an incredible, three-hour guided kayaking experience. Begin your adventure by meeting your experienced team at the local partner's office in Franz Josef. Join them and your small group on a complimentary transfer out to Lake Mapourika. Glide effortlessly across the water, taking in panoramic views of the Southern Alps, glaciers, and untouched Jurassic rainforest reflected on the glassy waters of Lake Mapourika. Paddle into the heart of the Okarito Kiwi Bird Sanctuary, exploring the protected area with your knowledgeable guide. Tours depart at various times throughout the day. Mornings are often the calmest time of the day on the lake, a perfect choice for photographers looking to capture the beauty of the area. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an experience not to be missed during your visit to Franz Josef.

Hokitika: West Coast Treetop Walkway Entrance Ticket

3. Hokitika: West Coast Treetop Walkway Entrance Ticket

Experience an exhilarating treetop adventure among temperate rainforest giants at the Hokitika West Coast Treetop Walkway. Begin the adventure when you arrive at the Treetops Cafe. Embark on a 5-minute walk through the beautiful Rainforest that will lead you to the start of the treetop walk (a shuttle is available for people with impaired mobility). There is easy access for all to enjoy along a steel platform that is 20 meters high and over 450 meters long. Then, enjoy a 45-minute and 1-hour stroll through the amazing West Coast Rainforest Tree Tops, listening to the birds and taking in incredible views. For the more adventurous travelers, opt to climb up to the top of the Hokitika Tower that will take you 40 meters above the forest floor. Be inspired by the sensational views over majestic snow-capped mountains, ancient rainforest and the Tasman Sea. Finish your experience back at Treetops cafe where they have a variety of delicious refreshments for purchase.

Franz Josef Glacier: 2-Hour Scenic Lake Mapourika Cruise

4. Franz Josef Glacier: 2-Hour Scenic Lake Mapourika Cruise

Soak up panoramic views of the Southern Alps and glaciers reflecting on the mirror-like waters of Lake Mapourika on this 2-hour scenic cruise. The lake was created by the Franz Josef Glacier as it retreated 14,000 years ago and now sits calm and reflective between the Southern Alps and the sea. Meet your experienced skipper and small group at the office in Franz Josef and take a complimentary transfer out to Lake Mapourika. Board the boat, then sit back and relax onboard the Hanna-k in the comfortable enclosed cabin or on the covered back deck. Your skipper will take you through to the Okarito Kiwi Sanctuary on the far shorelines of the lake and will help you spot New Zealand's native birds. Enjoy informative commentary and fascinating stories as you cruise past untouched Jurassic rainforest and 900-year-old Kahikatea trees. Sip on a cup of complimentary tea or coffee as you unwind in beautiful Glacier Country, a picture perfect way to escape the crowds and enjoy the West Coast’s scenery.

Franz Josef: Twin Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers Helicopter Trip

5. Franz Josef: Twin Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers Helicopter Trip

Experience double the excitement as you fly over the stunning Twin Glacier Fox and Franz Josef Glacier on a helicopter ride over stunning mountain landscapes that includes a scenic snow landing.  Depart from Franz Josef town and within minutes you will be soaring across the majestic icefall of the Franz Josef Glacier where you will ascend among the mountain tops for your snow landing experience. As you fly, admire below you the snowfields of the Twin Glacier Fox and Franz Josef Glacier, and magnificent views of the Southern Alps, Mount Cook, and Mount Tasman. After 10 minutes of feeling the snow on your feet, jump back in the helicopter and take off once again across the snowfield expanse and then land back where you departed from.

Franz Josef: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Glacier Landing

6. Franz Josef: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Glacier Landing

Lift off from a heli-base in Franz Josef and explore the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers from above on a scenic helicopter tour. Experience this natural phenomenon up close as you land on a glacier and walk through the snow. Meet your pilot and guide at the helicopter base and receive a brief introduction before boarding your flight and setting out on your adventure. Watch the ground disappear beneath you as you climb higher and enjoy the view as the city below turns into wilderness. Take in the vistas of the Southern Alps and marvel at the vastness of 2 of New Zealand's largest glaciers while enjoying informative commentary provided by your pilot. Then, get ready to experience this unique scenery up close as your helicopter prepares for a snow landing. Stand on the ancient ice of the glacier, breathe in the clean alpine air, and feel the seclusion of this awe-inspiring landscape. Hop back aboard your helicopter and enjoy more panoramic views on your return journey to the base. Throughout your flight, you'll also fly over the Tasman Glacier on the eastern side of the Southern Alps and past Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak.

Franz Josef: Glacier Helicopter Ride with Snow Landing

7. Franz Josef: Glacier Helicopter Ride with Snow Landing

Board the helicopter at the local partner’s base in Franz Josef, then ascend into the New Zealand's highest mountain range known as the Southern Alps, where panoramic views await. Soar across the sky, passing over the spectacular ice pinnacles and crevasses of Franz Josef Glacier on the way to the snow landing site. Throughout the tour, soak up once-in-a-lifetime views of snow-capped mountains, ancient glacier as well as some of New Zealand’s highest peaks. Arrive at the landing site and take your first steps onto the snowy landscape. Be amazed by the sheer beauty of your surroundings as you are dwarfed by the size of this mountainous West Coast region. Enjoy enough time to take photos and soak up this magical location, then board the helicopter for the return journey to the base. Another view of this amazing and unique glacier formation as you descend back down across temperate rainforest and safe landing back at base.

Franz Josef: The Grand Tour by Helicopter with Snow Landing

8. Franz Josef: The Grand Tour by Helicopter with Snow Landing

Experience quadruple the excitement as you fly over the stunning Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman Glaciers on a helicopter ride over stunning mountain landscapes that includes a scenic snow landing. Depart from Franz Josef town and in no time you will be soaring over majestic glacier icefall's ascending among the Southern Alps on your most magical tour of your lifetime before descending to the panoramic snow fields for your snow landing experience. As you fly, admire below you the snowfields of the Fox, Franz Josef and Tasman glacier, with magnificent views including Mount Cook, and Mount Tasman (new Zealand's highest peaks). After 10 minutes of feeling the snow on your feet, jump back in the helicopter and take off once again across the snowfield expanse and then land back where you departed from.

West Coast: Eco River Safari in UNESCO World Heritage Area

9. West Coast: Eco River Safari in UNESCO World Heritage Area

With your local guides who were previously commercial pilots, travel to the top of the river and listen to informative commentary with multiple photography stops. At the top head out on an optional walk, good for all ages. View the untouched scenery of mountains and ancient rainforest. Enjoy local morning tea and a chance to take in the whole surrounding area with stunning photo opportunities. Then you'll have a speedy trip down to the Tasman Sea, finishing in a side stream to visit the whitebait breeding grounds. If your group is 6 people or over, you will enjoy a BBQ meal at the end of the tour, with whitebait, crayfish, venison, salads and refreshments.

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What people are saying about West Coast, South Island

On the day of my trip it was raining but thinking it may stop as I drove towards Franz Joseph, it didn’t in fact it got heavier… by the time I reached the Kayak main office I had convinced myself that the trip would be cancelled and I no longer wanted to go, this was to be my 1st Kayaking experience and I didn’t want to be cold, wet and miserable. However, the staff in the shop were brilliant and convinced me it would be good, so I braved it and went along. The guides were brilliant and as we set about getting used to the Kayaks and how to paddle and stirring, I settled in. On the short breaks both guides gave interesting facts of the lake, history and the Kiwi’s. I had a wonderful time, thank you all so much.

Great experience, expected it to be scary but was totally not the case. Was lucky enough to sit in the front.

Awesome tour highly recommend. The guide was awesome all the staff were soooo friendly really nice venue.

We loved it. Amazing perspective being above the canopy, beautifully laid out - and learnt so much!

You must experience the kayaking from this team, and the team has done marvelous job.