Easywalking Holidays
PO Box 8728,
Havelock North 4130
New Zealand
Ph/Fax: +64 6 875 8272
Email Us
About the West Coast
The West Coast of the South Island has a variety of different ecosystems in such close proximity, each day you'll feel like you are in another country! It has spectacular mountains, pristine forests, beautiful beaches and native bush, and most of the region is still relatively untouched.The West Coast has a history of gold mining centred on the town of Hokitika, one of our ports of call, and is a wonderful place to buy pounamu (greenstone/jade) expertly crafted into jewellery and sculptures sold in the town. The big attractions, however, are the towering glaciers at Franz Josef and Fox Glacier with their stunning backdrop of the Southern Alps.
The climate of the West Coast is mild in spring and autumn which is good for walking. Evenings are cool so you should bring a warm sweater or fleece, and a waterproof jacket (and trousers if you wish) in case we are caught in the rain. Summers are warm.
Weather Averages for Hokitika (West Coast)
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Av. high - °C | 19.4 | 20 | 18.7 | 16.7 | 14.2 | 12.3 | 12 | 12.5 | 13.9 | 15.1 | 16.6 | 18.1 | |
| Av. low - °C | 11.7 | 12 | 10.6 | 8.4 | 5.9 | 3.7 | 2.9 | 3.9 | 5.8 | 7.4 | 8.8 | 10.6 | |
| Precipitation - mm | 250 | 172 | 217 | 249 | 245 | 233 | 232 | 224 | 250 | 286 | 240 | 278 | |
| Sunshine Hours | 211 | 184 | 170 | 142 | 116 | 102 | 121 | 137 | 142 | 158 | 182 | 194 |
Source: NIWA Climate Data 1971-2000