Nelson to Greymouth
West Coast Self Drive Travel Guide
There are two main routes to Greymouth from Nelson, this Guide follows the scenic Buller Gorge Road and Coastal Highway.
Travel Facts
Distance: 309 km (192 miles)
Approximately: 4 Hours 05 minutes
Road Conditions:
State Highway 6 Nelson to Westport.
State Highway 6 Westport to Greymouth
This guide sponsored by: Chapel Hill B&B Greymouth.
Nelson - Murchison - Inangahua - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth
The drive south from Nelson follows State Highway 6 to Westport. The first section of the journey is quickly covered as you pass through Wakefield and Belgrove before crossing Spooners Saddle in the Golden Downs Forest. Soon after crossong the saddle you arrive at Kohatu Junction where SH 61 from Motueka joins State Highway 6.
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From Kohatu Junction continue south on State Highway 6 through the Motupiko River Valley over the Hope Saddle and on to Kawatiri Junction and your first meeting with the mighty Buller River.
The top of the Hope Saddle offers excellent views of the the Nelson Lakes, Lake Rotoiti the source of the Buller and her sister Lake Rotoroa source of the Gowan River that flows into the Buller just before Gowanbridge in the Upper Gorge.
At the Kawatiri Junction State Highway 63 meets State Highway 6. There are a number of short walks in the area centered around the Historic railway.
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From Kawatiri the road follows the mighty Buller through 35kms of farmed river flats and Beech forest to Murchison.
Although part of the Nelson Region, Murchison is you first introduction to the glory and green that is the scenic beauty of the West Coast and Buller Region.
Devastated on the 17th of June 1929 by an earthquake that killed 17 people as it wrenched the mountainsides blocking rivers and cutting roads. The Museum here is well worth a visit.
Nelson - Murchison - Inangahua - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth
Just after leaving Murchison the Buller River enters the upper Gorge where the earthquake slips and river rapids are a spectacular sight. At O'Sullivans bridge you cross the Buller and a few minutes later come to the Buller Gorge Swing Bridge.
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Activites here include, numerous walks from 15 minutes to an hour, Gold Rush Jet Boat, Supaman rides and the Flying Fox, (Zip line) across the river.
At 110 metres in length the Buller Gorge Swingbridge is New Zealands longest swing bridge, and stands a clear 17 metres above the Buller River.
At Lyell there is an interesting 90 minute return walk through the forest to a stamping battery which crushed gold-bearing quartz from the Croesus Mine.
Other features along the walk include a goldfield cemetery and interesting tailings (mounds of stones) left by alluvial miners after gold-bearing gravels had been sluiced away.
The walkway begins at the Lyell picnic and camping area, located 35 km from Murchison, the area is well sign posted.
Inangahua
The township of Inangahua was devasted by the earthquakes of 1928 and 1967 that hit the region. The Inangahua Hall has an excellent historic display recounting the tremendous power of these two events.
Nelson - Murchison - Inangahua - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth
From here the drive to Westport follows the Buller around the edge of mountains, skirting river flats to Berlins and on to the Lower Gorge Road. At Hawks Crag the road way is a single lane that is literally cut into the mountain side.
With banks of native Rata giving way to farmed river flats this final leg to Westport is an easy journey rising over lowland hills to the township at themouth of the mighty River.
Westport
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Westport is the largest town of the Buller known as a coal mining town and a base for outdoor adventures.
The local coal mining museum is a good place to learn more of the history of the town and region while experiencing the reality of being down the mine.
At the mouth of the mighty Buller River, the township can righfully boast as being the first port of the Coast. Founded in June of 1861 by an adventerous storekeeper Ruben Waite, who established a small permanent settlement after exploring Buller. Waite latter helped in the establishment of Greymouth.
There are numerous side trips to be enjoyed in the region, and awesome adventures to be had.
Nelson - Murchison - Inangahua - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth
Please Note: There are no fuel stops between Westport and Greymouth on the Coast Road.
Travelling south from Westport to Greymouth you have two options:
(1) Following SH6 direct to Charleston.
(2) Follow SH 67A through Carters Beach to Cape Foulwind and the Seal Colony.
The Cape Foulwind headland is well known for the New Zealand Fur Seal colony, but also includes sooty shearwater - a large sea-going petrel - and blue penguins.
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The sooty shear water reduced to near extinction on the mainland of New Zealand has a small colony surviving on this headland. Somehow a small number of breeding pairs have managed to survive through clearing, burning and farming. These birds are fully protected.
The adult birds come ashore in October to begin their breeding cycle, hatching occurs mostly in late January with the chicks fledging by about May.
The seal colony is part of a series along the coastline and is one of six on the West Coast.
At Charleston, formerly a prosperous gold town, you can arrange underground rafting and cave exploring trips on the Nile River.
The road from here to Punakaiki hugs the coast, providing spectacular views of wild beaches and the tempestuous Tasman Sea.
Punakaiki
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Punakaiki is famous for its pancake rocks and blow holes. The centrepiece of the Paparoa National Park, the area is packed with a variety of stunning landscapes and offers many excellent coastal or inland walks among the attractions and adventures.
The pancake rock formations date back about 30 million years being created by layers of limestone, overlaid by rock and clay. When the tide is right, the blow holes are truely spectacular as the Tasman Sea booms through them.
Nelson - Murchison - Inangahua - Westport - Punakaiki - Greymouth
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The road south to Greymouth is breathtaking. White capped breakers and rugged rocks on one side, bush-clad mountains on the other side.
To see interesting old gold mining areas, look for the Point Elizabeth walkway at the southern end of Rapahoe.
The town of Runanga 10km north of Greymouth is a classic mining village – it offers an interesting walk to nearby Coal Creek Falls.
Greymouth has a long mining history. It is the largest town on the west coast and is known for its awesome seascapes.
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Set at the mouth of the Grey River which the town takes it's name from. Modern Greymouth sits where the local Maori had a small settlement and landing place for canoes visiting the shores for greenstone or Pounamu. This settlement gradually drifted south as the town grew with the influx of european people seeking their fortunes on the gold fields.
The local brewery runs tours or you can catch up with west coast history at the museum. White water rafting, sea kayaking, 4 x 4 bike rides, cave rafting, Shantytown, fishing and hiking are among many of the things to do and experience in the region.
On to Chapel Hill B&B
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From Greymouth township continuing south for approximately 10 minutes will bring you to Paroa and the turn off to Shantytown and Chapel Hill B&B. From here it is just 8 minutes drive to Chapel Hill where Joy, John and Crash are looking forward to welcoming you to their little piece of paradise.
Look for the Chapel Hill sign on Rutherglen Road, approximately five minutes after you pass Shantytown, which is perfectly located for the start of tomorrows adventure on the West Coast.
Welcome to Greymouth - enjoy your Stay.
This Guide Last Updated: January 2011
Driving Distance and Times
The distances and times are based on travel at an average of 80 to 90kmph in good weather and light to medium traffic, allowing for a break of 10 minutes from driving in each full hour.
Allow extra time for:
Sight seeing, Heavier traffic conditions, Inclement weather and any other needs you have.
There are many factors beyond the authors and our control that can and will impact upon the true distance travelled and time taken to complete any journey.
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