Greymouth

Where is it?

Greymouth is at the mouth of the Grey river (must have taken the marketing team hours to come up with that name) about two thirds of the way up the west coast. It sits at the opposite end of the coast-to-coast road from Christchurch; as such it sees a fair amount of through traffic.

What's it like?

Although it is the biggest town on the west coast with a population of just over 10,000, it is not exactly a sprawling metropolis. Greymouth is a quiet provincial town but not without a gentle appeal, most visitors though, are in transit to somewhere else. There are a few old buildings that still stand as testament to the towns' history as a prosperous gold town.

What to see and do.

Greymouth can make a base for a number of adventure activities nearby. From the town you can organise to go caving, white-water rafting, tramping, mountain biking or head out to sea in search of whales and dolphins.
If you are in NZ, you will become aware very quickly of Monteiths Beers, a range of ales and lagers all of which are most toothsome. Greymouth is where it is brewed, take the brewery trip then have a taste, the Black is delicious.
A walk along the river wall to Blaketown Beach is pleasant or if the weather is bad (and in the winter it can be cold and grim) visit the Left Bank Art Gallery or the History House Museum. The gallery has significant works carved in Greenstone (Jade) whilst the museum covers the towns' rise to prominence as a gold boomtown in the 19th century. For more prospecting stuff visit Shantytown, a reconstruction, West Coast mining town, circa 1880.
If you are a masochist, you might like to take part in the annual mid February Coast to Coast race that goes from Greymouth by foot, bike and kayak across to Christchurch (nearly 240km, blimey that's a long way). If you are a sadist you may like to stand and watch! On this weekend, the town really does come to life.

Eating, Sleeping and Drinking

Apart from Coast to Coast weekend, you probably won't need to book in advance for accommodation. There is a fair choice of places to stay in all ranges mostly moderately priced. The same can be said of the wining and dining on offer. For the few nights you are realistically likely to stop in Greymouth you should be happy enough.