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Sightseeing Tours West Coast, New Zealand

Kea West Coast Tours Introduction

Kea West Coast Tours, offering sightseeing tours of the West Coast, is the leading operator of environmental and scenic adventure tours on the West Coast of the Southern Alps.

Owned by Matt and Linda Lysaght, our West Coast travel tours are based in Greymouth, the main town on the coast and the hub of the TranzAlpine, Intercity coach services and shuttle connections across the alps from Christchurch as well as Nelson and the glaciers.

We operate a fleet of small and medium coach services with scheduled daily tours to Punakaiki, Shantytown and the glaciers. All vehicles in our coach tours on the West Coast service have air-conditioning, PA systems and wheels! We also have mini coaches up to 24 seats for hire with experienced and enthusiastic driver and guides.

Our West Coast Sightseeing Tours

Punakaiki 'Wild Coast' Tour – Our most popular daily departure and one of the jewels in the crown of New Zealand's scenic treasure chest. Just getting there along the famous Coast Road is half the fun, with the magnificent coastal views, the wild birdlife and the cliffs and gorges.

We take time at the renowned Punakaiki pancake rocks, a guided walk through the subtropical rainforest and time to explore an isolated beach while hearing about the ecology of the seabirds and plants from these ancient landscapes.

Franz Josef Glacier Adventure – The day trip that has you walking on this river of ice, one of the most popular and exciting activities on the West Coast of the Southern Alps. Your journey to the glacier first takes you to historic Hokitika, where there is time to check out the greenstone (pounamu) carvers, the glass blowers, wood workers, goldsmiths and craft galleries, then on to the glacier for the ultimate walking adventure! All necessary gear supplied for the tour.

Shantytown Goldstrike – There's gold in them thar hills! The West Coast gold rush started in 1864 and continues today! What started as a trickle, turned into a flood as people from all over the world poured in to this isolated bush-clad wilderness. Tour includes entrance, gold panning and steam train ride—another bonanza!

For further information about our West Coast travel tours, please contact us or visit our sightseeing tours of the West Coast Web site.

The Twin Glaciers and Lake Matheson – The ultimate glacier tour. Our first stop south takes us to historic Hokitika, where there is time to check out the greenstone (pounamu) carvers, the glass blowers, wood workers, goldsmiths and craft galleries, then on to the first of the two glaciers—Franz Josef.

Over to the Fox Glacier and the chance to get up close to the terminal face. Down to beautiful Lake Matheson, famous for its reflections of Mt Cook and Mt Tasman. Scenic helicopter flights (with snow landing) are an option for those wanting to experience the awesome sights from the air.

Monteiths Heritage Trail – For those who want to touch the real character and culture of the Coast. An afternoon where you put away the keys and let Kea Tours do the driving. We start with a West Coast tradition—the Monteiths Brewery tour, and then visit the historic Brunner Mine site.

On to Blackball with its socialist origins (beware the Red Feds!) and a visit to the old mine site, the mine managers house and the humble workers cottages. Stop at the historic Blackball Hilton and sample a beer (...or two!) and absorb the fascinating character of the Grey Valley and its militant mining heritage. Return via Stillwater and Dobson.

For further information about our West Coast travel tours,
please contact us or visit our sightseeing tours of the West Coast Web site.

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