Greymouth Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

Greymouth is the largest town on the West Coast and is the turnaround of the Tranz Alpine train journey, recognised as one of the top train trips in the world. The town sits at the mouth of the Grey River (named in honour of Sir George Grey), hence its name, and about half a mile from the coast. Its Maori name also means 'Wide-spread River Mouth'.

Greymouth has a long gold-mining history and several scenic walkways along the river and parks, while the surrounding Grey Valley offer adventure activities, heritage attractions and guided nature tours.

• Approximately 2½ hours drive north of Fox Glacier.
• From Christchurch 250 km 3½ hours
• Punakaiki 45 min, Westport 1½ hours, Reefton 1 hour

See also Train travel in New Zealand

The world-famous TranzAlpine, operated by Tranz Scenic departs from Christchurch station at 8:15AM and arrives at Greymouth at 12:45PM daily. Trains depart Greymouth at 2PM for Arthur's Pass National Park and Christchurch.

• Intercity Coaches operate comfortable coaches from Nelson, Westport, Punakaiki and Franz Josef Glacier. Schedules coincide with train arrivals.
• West Coast Shuttle offers a daily return service from and to Christchurch. (Ideal for day trips to Arthur's Pass). Departs Greymouth at 8AM and travels via Arthur's pass (9:30AM) and Christchurch airport (11.30) and the Christchurch Square midday. Leaves Christchurch at 3PM, via airport then Arthur's Pass arriving back in Greymouth at 7PM.

42°26′56″S 171°12′33″E

Map of Greymouth

• -42.461667171.191 Greymouth Airport (GMN  ^IATA). No regularly scheduled flights arrive or depart here, although charter flights can be arranged. (updated Nov 2019)
• Hokitika airport has two flights per day from Christchurch. Greymouth Taxis (+64 3 768 7078) run connecting shuttle buses.

This is a small town and you can easily walk to inns and restaurants within the town. If you want to go further afield, your choices are:

• Taxi - Greymouth Taxis, 138 Mackay Street, phone +64 3 768-7078, 50 m from the train station. Transfer within the town is around $15. Greymouth Taxis can arrange trips to Shantytown ($45 one way, $70 return), Punakaiki or other nearby destinations.
• Rental car - The Greymouth train station has rental car counters from Hertz, Budget and a variety of discount agencies. Advance reservations are recommended.
• Organized tours - Several tour companies will pick you up at your inn, take you to nearby destinations, then return you to your hotel (or to the train station in time for your departing train). Check brochures in the train station or at your hotel.

• -42.535722171.1815561 Shantytown Heritage Park, 316 Rutherglen Road Rutherglen, Paroa, ☏ +64 3 762 6634. 9AM–4PM. A replica gold mining town complete with sawmill, gold sluice and gold panning. A steam train runs several trips each day. (10:45AM, 11:45AM, 1:15PM, 2:15PM, 3:15PM). The track follows an original bush tram-line. You can also take a close look at the working steam engine of the train at the end of the line. Shantytown also operates New Zealand's only steam school in association with Tai Poutini Polytech. You can see restored buildings like jail, Bank of New Zealand, fire station, hospital, school, Chinatown etc., while the gem & mineral hall, church, and coronation hall are original buildings. The restored post office accepts letters and postcards, bearing the special Shantytown postmark. There is a 10 minutes show running 4 times an hour in The Princess Holographic Theater. Old style portraits in provided vintage costume can be booked at the entry building with extra charge. Photos will be taken in Golden Nugget Saloon instead of Photographers Shop, and with a digital camera instead of an analog big frame camera. And you can have some drink or food at King Dick’s Cafe, or use its toilet. Beside cars, another option to go to Shantytown from Greymouth is via cycling, which is a section of the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Adult $39 (10% off if booked at visitor centre), $8 extra for gold panning. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.44814171.211242 Left Bank Art Gallery, 1 Tainui Street, ☏ +64 3768 0038. Tu–F 10:00–16:00, Sa 10:30–14:00. Art gallery (with some works for sale) with space for emerging artists. The gallery has an impressive collection of greenstone. The gallery is in the former Bank of New Zealand built in 1924. Free entry. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.440637171.1910433 Southern Breakwater (Southern Breakwater Viewing Platform), near the west end of Southern Breakwater Road (reachable via car, bicycle, or foot). A great viewing platform to watch the waves crashing and shorebirds. Also a good spot to view the sunset over West Coast. A toilet is nearby at Blaketown Tip Head Campervan Park. The view here is similar to Northern Breakwater in the Cobden Aromahana Lagoon Walk, so if you have a tight schedule you may visit one of these Breakwaters and skip the other. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.433601171.3245964 Brunner Mine Historic Area, Taylorville. Historic site of the Brunner Mine. (updated Sep 2020)

• -42.447938171.2051885 History House Museum, 27-29 Gresson Street. Awesome collection of old photos about the history of Greymouth. Unfortunately it is closed due to structural issues but you can still view this iconic building from outside. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.448063171.2139796 Custom House (Speights Ale House), 130 Mawhera Quay. This category 1 building is an example of later, more restrained work by the Scottish born Architect John Campbell. It was the prominent building on the riverfront. Earthquake strengthened in 2007, it is now an ale house. (updated Dec 2024)

• -42.46137171.2004691 Westland Recreation Centre, 83 High Street, ☏ +64 3 768 9076. Great public swimming pools with waterslides, spa and sauna. Also a gym and indoor courts. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.418253171.2449912 On Yer Bike Adventures, 511 State Highway 6, Coal Creek, ☏ +64 3 762 7438. Off-road quad biking through 300 acres of West Coast rainforest and farm. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.445691171.2173323 Cobden Cave (quay walk) (from the CBD cross the Cobden Bridge, turn right and park in the small gravelled area immediately by the bridge). ​ A 2-minute walk on a flat gravel track along the Grey River. Explore the cave entrance and the first chamber without a torch. Sturdy footwear is advised for inside the cave. Visitors are advised to go no further than the first chamber. Free. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.447813171.2150144 Greymouth Flood Wall (West Coast Wilderness Trail) (the start of the trail is on Mawhera Quay opposite the Railway Station). A lovely flat walk along the flood wall beside the Grey River. There are beautiful views of the river and the Twelve Apostles range, as well as some of the commercial and industrial areas of the town. Follow the trail further to see the historic and modern port areas, then the harbour where there are often fishing boats docked. Continue to the Southern Breakwater, historic gun emplacement, and then the beach. There are several memorial parks and historical landmarks along the way, like Cobden Rail Bridge Heritage Park, Miners Memorial Park, Coal River Heritage Park. Also, along the way there are boards introducing the town history. This trail is for walking and cycling. The whole trail can be accessed at various points. Free. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.457281171.2009815 Kowhai Bush Walk (from Greymouth CBD go south on SH6/Tainui Street; turn right on Brunner Street beside Dixon Park; turn right onto Turumaha Street and left beside the dairy; follow the road toward Anzac Park and a sealed parking area). ​ A 10-min loop walk of approximately 700 metres through a small remnant area of kowhai forest and over boardwalks through estuarine vegetation. There is a wide range of aquatic birdlife to be seen on the tidal lagoon (Blaketown Lagoon), and other native & introduced species in the forest for those with patience to spot them. During the day you may be lucky and spot a kōtuku/white heron and at dusk you may see or hear a ruru/morepork. The track is flat across a rough gravelled surface and wooden boardwalks. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.440276171.1998226 Cobden Aromahana Lagoon Walk (Cobden/Northern Breakwater), Cobden (drive across the Cobden Bridge from Greymouth, turn left on to Bright Street; turn Left on Cardwell Street then follow Nelson Quay and North Tip Road towards the sea until you reach the lagoon walk parking area which will be on the right). Always open. Enjoy views of the Cobden Lagoon and the wide range of waterbirds that can be seen there. You may be fortunate enough to spot the rare kōtuku/white heron. On a clear day there are beautiful views of the Southern Alps, and closer at hand the Twelve Apostles range. The track is a flat gravelled surface of about 20 min, with a 100-m walk along the road edge of the lagoon back to the parking area. There is also foot access to the beach from the track, and seats and a picnic table along the way to rest at. Free. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.3969171.21577 Point Elizabeth Trail. This bush track connecting Rapahoe, just north of Greymouth, to a northerly "suburb" of Greymouth, on the north side of the river, was an old water race built by 19th-century miners. This coastal walk has forest and cliff top views. If you can be dropped off at one end and picked up at the other end, then this easy hike will take about 1 hr 45 min. Mountain biking is only permitted at night time from April 1 to September 30. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.408146171.2533628 Coal Creek Falls. Enjoy the lovely bush walk down to the impressive Coal Creek Fall. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.548396171.3490389 Woods Creek Track, Dunganville. This 45-min forest track passes by tailraces and dams and through historic tunnels built by gold miners. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.453924171.20674710 Monteith's Brewery, 60 Herbert Street. 4PM. This famous West Coast brewery which ships its beers through New Zealand offers 45min–1hr beer tours. Adults only. (updated Dec 2024)

• -42.443562171.21531211 Lions Walk, Cobden (near the end of Weld Street). Go up to the hill for an overlook of the Greymouth town and the coast. The track is unmaintained and covered by grasses, making some edges hard to recognize, so you need to be careful. The Gun Emplacement Walkway is more maintained and offers a similar overlook, although the Custom House is partly covered by trees from the Gun Emplacement. At the watch out of Lions walk, the Custom House at the riverside is clearly visible. About 40 min in return. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.435313171.21243812 Gun Emplacement Walkway, 85-77 Richmond Street, Cobden. 10 min return walk containing a number of steps to a concrete structure where a 5” U.S. Naval Gun was housed and you can have an overlook of the Greymouth town there. (updated Dec 2024)

There is a large supermarket, and "The Warehouse", a large general goods type store, next to the train station, making Greymouth a good place to stock up on essentials for your trip. (You must walk around the station to enter their parking lot; do not cross the railway tracks at the station and try to climb over the fence.)

• -42.448788171.2103921 Red Books, 138 MacKay Street. W-Su 10:00-17:00. Sweet little second-hand book shop with a pot-bellied stove. Prices and stock are good, especially for New Zealand and West Coast books, but cash only. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.448542171.2108792 Shades of Jade, 22 Tainui Street, ☏ +64 3 768 0794. A range of locally sourced New Zealand (Pounamu) Greenstone that has been expertly carved into necklaces, earrings and rings. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.448728171.2114413 Nimmo Photography - Gallery, Store & Studio (Network Photos Limited), 102 MacKay Street, ☏ +64 3 768 6499. Discover Stewart Nimmo’s unique West Coast imagery. Also handy if you need some passport photos or films (only 35mm color negatives available, and it is a bit pricey, $39 for a 36 exp roll of Kodak Gold or Ultramax) (updated Dec 2024)

  

• -42.516991171.170544 Garth Wilson Jade, 63 Rutherglen Road, ☏ +64 3 762 6226. Authentic West Coast pounamu (jade). (updated Sep 2020)

• -42.448563171.2100625 Wilderness Sports & Cycles, 65 MacKay Street. 9AM–5PM M–F, 10AM-1PM Sa. Bikes and outdoor gears. This is the only shop to hire mountain bikes and e-bikes in Greymouth. There is another shop called Mann Cycles & Security, where you can buy bikes and gears, but their bikes are unavailable to hire. $50 one day for mountain bike (hamlet and lock included). (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.461938171.1971876 High Street Barber, 112 High Street. A traditional style barber shop EST 1952 in a beautiful building. Female cuts must make an appointment due to the time factor. Clipper $12–$20, Clipper & Scissors $28–$30, Ladies Cut $35–$45. (updated Dec 2024)

• -42.448509171.212341 Robert Harris Cafe, 123 MacKay St, ☏ +64 3 768 5959. Good coffee, cafe breakfast and lunches. 
• -42.459862171.2007052 Buccleugh's on High, 68 High Street, ☏ +64 3 768 5154. M-Th 5:30–10AM, 5:30–10PM; F-Su 6–10AM, 11AM–2PM, 5:30–10PM. A wide range of traditional fare, but including West Coast options from both land and sea. You can try whitebait, venison or blue cod. Gluten-free and vegetarian options are available. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.448056171.2139043 The Speight's Ale House, 130 Mawhera Quay, ☏ +64 3-768 0667. Su-Th 11:30AM-10PM, F 11:30AM-11:30PM, Sa 11:30AM-midnight. Local cuisine, gastropub, bar, pub, vegan options. Good filling pub meals. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.448468171.2103524 Clock Tower Cafe, 65 Mackay Street, ☏ +64 3 768 5265. M-F 6AM-3PM. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.447923171.2128895 DP1 Cafe, 104 Mawhera Quay, ☏ +64 3 768 4005. Su-W 8AM-5PM, Th F 8AM-9PM. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.451311171.2099226 Priya Indian Restaurant, 84 Tainui Street, ☏ +64 3 768 7377. Daily 11AM-2PM, 4-5PM. Authentic Indian food. (updated Sep 2020)

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  -42.448232171.2112067 Sevenpenny, 9 Tainui Street, ☏ +64 3 762 6879. Excellent lunches and baking. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.511501171.1676298 Paroa Hotel Restaurant & Bar, 508 Main South Road, ☏ +64 3 762 6860. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.442151171.2110549 Cobden Takeaways, 126 Bright Street, ☏ +64 3 768 6302. Takeaways, fish and hand-cut chips. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.449088171.2097410 Sampan House, 35 Albert Street, ☏ +64 3 768 4818. Chinese, Asian. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.468709171.19072311 Australasian Bar & Grill, 201 High Street, ☏ +64 3 768 4023. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.374975171.24096112 Rapahoe Beachfront Hotel, 1 Beach Road, Rapahoe, ☏ +64 3 762 7701. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.449686171.21077113 The Dragonfly Gap Cafe, 1 Guinness Street, ☏ +64 3 768 0988. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.448405171.20813814 Woodstock Brewing Co. Greymouth Grill, 29 Boundary Street, ☏ +64 3 429 6202. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.449666171.21028115 Blanchfield Bakery, 13-15 Guinness Street, ☏ +64 3 768 5507. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.456201171.2044716 Santa Fe Milk Bar, 78 Turumaha Street, ☏ +64 3 768 5215. Fish and chips, as well as their specialty, the Santa Fe – a grease bomb of cheese, potato, and bacon, battered and deep fried. Worth experiencing once. Nothing to do with New Mexico. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.448486171.21192217 Sushi Bar, 115 MacKay Street, ☏ +64 3 768 5151. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.462352171.20080918 Parky's, 3 Marsden Road, ☏ +64 3 768 0373. Fish and chips, takeaways. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.459711171.19600119 Columbus Coffee, 41 Water Walk Road, ☏ +64 3 768 0976. (updated Sep 2020)

• -42.450798171.2072271 Union Hotel, 20 Herbert Street, ☏ +64 3 768 4013. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.4601171.2006462 Recreation Hotel, 68 High Street, ☏ +64 3 768 5154. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.468681171.1906813 Australasian Bar & Grill, 201 High Street, ☏ +64 3 768 4023. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.511565171.1676274 Paroa Hotel Restaurant & Bar, 508 Main South Road, ☏ +64 3 762 6860. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.453984171.2068315 Monteith's Brewery, 60 Herbert Street, ☏ +64 3 768 4149. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.447984171.2134026 Railway Hotel, 120 Mawhera Quay, ☏ +64 3 768 7023. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.448063171.2139797 Speights Ale House, 130 Mawhera Quay, ☏ +64 3 768 0667. (updated Sep 2020)
• -42.448213171.2112058 Sevenpenny, 9 Tainui Street, ☏ +64 3 762 6879. (updated Sep 2020)

  

• -42.458813171.2005621 Global Village Backpackers, 54 Cowper Street, [email protected]. Lowest prices offered to BBH members. Very clean, friendly backpackers. A bit out of town but it offers free pick-ups from railway station. Dorm bed $42. (updated Dec 2024)
• -42.4509171.21222 Noah's Ark Backpackers, 16 Chapel St, ☏ +64 3 768 4868, [email protected]. Check-in: 12:30PM, check-out: 10AM. Built in 1912 as the monastery for St Patrick's Church, this building outlives the church building next door and has been renovated as a hostel. Due to its location, it survived from the two floods in 1988, hence its name. Towels are included in singles and available for hire for $3 in dorms. Coins based washers and dryers are available for guests between 2PM and 9PM and cost 2 two-dollar coins each (you can bring your own wash powder or buy it from reception for $1). Kitchen is closed for cleaning on 11AM and 10PM. Cash and Visa/Master credit card are supported. American Express or JCB is unsupported but you can use them for payment via booking.com. Dorm beds from $33, singles from $79. (updated Dec 2024)

• -42.473312171.2119373 Bedford Hideaway, 175 Marsden Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 10AM. A tiny house transformed from a 1963 SB3 Bedford Bus, located in private bush settings. It includes a queen sized bed, a fan heater, shower and flushing toilet, kitchenette, microwave and refrigerator. Breakfast (bread, butter, and milk) is provided. Self check-in with Key safe. You can book it via Airbnb. (updated Dec 2024)

Wireless Internet is available for free at the public library (18 Albert St, just off Mackay Street), and at certain hostels and hotels.

• Punakaiki – to the north
• Reefton – inland to the north-east
• Hokitika – to the south
• Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier – further to the south
• Take a day trip to Christchurch or Arthur's Pass. Catch the train to Arthur's Pass (1:30PM departure) and coach back to Greymouth (5:15PM at Arthur's Pass) arrive back to Greymouth at 7PM.

Punakaiki ←	N  S	→ Hokitika
END ←	W  E	→ Hanmer Springs