Greymouth

Greymouth is located on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand and is the terminus for the famous Tranz Alpine train from Christchurch. Although it only has a population of 13,500 it is the largest town on this rugged remote coast. The first settlers were attracted to this area over 100 years ago following the discovery of gold, and many stayed and became involved in the logging of the massive native forests and coal mining.

Today the town is known for the rugged native beauty that surrounds it, like the Paparoa National Park and the famous Pancake Rocks and blowholes, and also its links with its history, like Shantytown, a replica of a West Coast gold mining town where you can pan for gold, or Woods Creek Track, where visitors can walk through old mining tunnels and native bush.