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The West Coast of the Southern Alps boasts five of New Zealand's fourteen national parks: Kahurangi, Paparoa, Arthur's Pass, Westland Tai Poutini, Mt Aspiring and the UNESCO World Heritage Area Te Wahi Pounamu, taking in parts of all of these spectacularly scenic areas. Check out the New Zealand Department of Conservation website for more details about these stunningly preserved natural reserves www.doc.govt.nz
Allow enough days to explore the natural wonders of the West Coast's rich environmental heritage. With 550 kilometres of land, no wider than 70 kilometres at any one point, you will find the mountains look closer, the lakes clearer the rivers larger and faster and the forests more lush than anywhere else in this captivating country.
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Kahurangi National Park
Created in 1996, Kahurangi is one of New Zealand's newest national park. At 452,002 hectares it is also one of the largest |
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Te Wahipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area
Famous for its dramatic coastline, the sweeping curves of beaches, rugged cliff tops and spectacular glaciers. Home to crested penguins, a rare species of kiwi and our native falcon. |
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Paparoa National Park
Luxuriant coastal forest, limestone cliffs and canyons, caves and underground streams, and an absolutely spectacular coastline, are all packed into one national park. |
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Arthur's Pass National Park
It's a park of contrasts, with dry beech/tawhai forest in the east, luxuriant rainforest on western slopes, and a historic highway and railway running through the middle. |
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Westland Tai Poutini National Park
Westland Tai Poutini National Park (established 1960) extends from the highest peaks of Ka Tiritiri o te Moana/Southern Alps to the remote beaches of the wild West Coast. |
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Mount Aspiring National Park
Mount Aspiring National Park (established in 1964) is a wonderful mixture of remote wilderness, high mountains and beautiful river valleys. It is a walker's paradise and a must for mountaineers. |
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