PHOTO GALLERY: The Dramatic West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island

2014/12/19

West Coast – New Zealand’s South Island

PHOTO GALLERY:

The Dramatic West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island

New Zealand’s fabled South Island is an outdoor lover’s paradise, full of dramatic scenery that’s amazingly diverse. The country’s highest mountain peaks at altitudes over 3000 M / 12,000 ft are found there as well as several easily accessible glaciers, deep fjords, rugged coastlines, lush rain forests and long golden beaches.

The notoriously wet, rugged west coast stands as one of the South Island’s most famous and stunning regions. For approximately 150 km / 93 miles from Westport down past Hokitika, the dramatic coast features fantastic rock formations, cliffs, sweeping stone and sand beaches, native New Zealand forests and broad rivers running down from the interior mountains.

rock pillar on West Coast NZ

At many points the road hugs the shoreline, providing spectacular views up and down the coast.

Punakaiki, aka Pancake Rocks, is the most prominent feature along the coast. A mass of stacked rock pillars crowd together above the sea while several lone rock protrusions thrust up from the wild sea far below. At an interior hollow full of undercut rocks, the sea crashes through at high tides, rushing into the caves and splashing out in huge plumes.

I recently spent two days exploring the west coast, visiting Punakaiki, walking along beautiful Porarari River canyon, strolling along stone-studded beaches and marveling at the stunning & varied scenery.

This photo gallery presents 12 photos from my trip. Please enjoy.

SEE PHOTOS OF THE WEST COAST

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