Activities

In the Grey District there is an abundance of things to do.

You can go underground, overland, through rapids, across glaciers by helicopter, explore caves, rafting, boating, trout fishing, 4 x 4 farm bikes (where the motto is the more mud the better!) or just kick back and relax. The West Coast of the Southern Alps is a natural adventure playground set in some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery. Greymouth is the ideal base for activities on the Coast due to its central location.

The Grey District has a number of adventure tourism operators who can provide a great range of adventure activities, from easy forest walks to white water rafting. Heli-rafting trips, cave rafting, gold panning, river/ lake or sea fishing, canoeing, guided tours, brewery visits are available for all ages and levels of fitness, all operating from the Grey District.

Personal guided tours are a good way to explore gold trails and historic mining areas, learn about the natural history of the West Coast and Grey District or make a trip to the four corners of the region.

The history of the gold rush comes alive at Shantytown, a replica mining town set in the 1860's. Offering steam train rides plus over 30 buildings full of relics and memorabilia of days gone by.

West Coast rivers and lakes are world famous for their trout fishing, coastal fishing is also popular, but the Coast is dangerous for inexperienced anglers and fishers need to be cautious.

Wonderful scenic flights over the region give a totally different perspective on the area. Enjoy the wonders from the air in a Helicopter or fixed wing plane.

Arts & Crafts

The unique environment and diverse range of cultural activity available on the West Coast creates a varied range of art. The tropical type landscape provides inspiration for artists and photographers, while the rich materials provide resources for potters and sculptors. Jade carving is a speciality and the Greymouth Tai Poutini hard-stone carving course produces world class sculptors whose work is available through several outlets.

Internationally renowned potters, artists and woodcrafters reside in the Grey District. The easy going nature of the West Coast lifestyle is the perfect breeding ground for artistic inspiration, and artists from all over New Zealand flock to the Coast, creating truly special works of art.

The Regent Theatre is Greymouth’s performing arts venue, providing dance, musical and theatre productions on a regular basis, while the Left Bank Art Gallery is the West Coast’s premier visual arts exhibition space with revolving local & national exhibitions together with a local arts & crafts outlet.

Whether you enjoy participating, purchasing or simply looking at art & crafts, the Grey District offers the cultural enthusiast everything they could want.