If you’re looking for car hire in Greymouth, you’re probably also looking for everything you should do while you’re in this awesome West Coast town. So let us help you out with an itinerary of what should be on your list to do, see and eat!
Visit ShantyTown Heritage Park
The West Coast of the South Island has a history steeped in pioneering and mining, which makes the ShantyTown Heritage Park a must do when you’re in Greymouth. On site you’ll find 30 historic buildings, a heritage train, gold panning, a traditional confectionary store and as a memento from the day, you can take home an old time photo portrait!
Check out the Brunner Mine Site Walk
Another great place to get up close and personal with the history of the region is to visit the Brunner Mine. It’s one of New Zealand’s earliest industrial sites where coal was mined, and coke, firebricks and other products were manufactured until the 1940s. There’s remnants of the tunnel entrances, as well as a short walk to explore the area and plenty of information for those interested.
Take a tour at Monteith’s Brewery
Here you’ll find the original home of craft brewing in New Zealand, where you can take a guided brewery tour to learn about how craft beer is made! You’ll hear some great yarns, eat some delicious locally-inspired food and of course, taste some fantastic beer and cider that’s all made on site.
Get On Yer Bike!
On Yer Bike! Adventures is an absolute blast of a time, off-roading on either a quad bike or buggies through an incredible rainforest, with magnificent views over a river valley. On your guided tour through the bush, getting messy is very much encouraged (and they supply the wet-weather gear too), and it is all part of the fun!
Take a stroll on the Point Elizabeth walkway
You can’t visit the rugged West Coast without spending some time exploring the coastline, and the Point Elizabeth walkway and lookout is the perfect way to truly take in all of the wild beauty of this region. The track is well surfaced, ideal for families and children, and you’ll experience a variety of scenery from forest to panoramic cliff top views.
Golden Sands Horse and Wagon Tours
In your rental car, a half an hour drive north of Greymouth will take you to Barrytown, and here’s when you can catch yourself a ride on a wagon (pulled by a gorgeous Clydesdale called Duke) along an unspoiled West Coast beach. Hear all about gold mining and pioneer history of the region, see if you can uncover a rare jade stone and enjoy damper bread and a tea from a boiling billy over an open fire.
Left Bank Art Gallery
The Left Bank Art Gallery is a lovely, community-based gallery housed inside a beautiful historic building in downtown Greymouth. With regular exhibitions of New Zealand artists, there’s an emphasis on local content, and a gallery shop selling a wonderful array of handcrafted ceramics, textiles, jewellery, jade, paintings, prints and carvings. It’s the perfect spot to grab yourself something one-of-a-kind to remember your travels, or to take back home as a gift.
Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole
Once you’ve fueled up the hire car in Greymouth and you’re on your way to the incredible Punakaiki Rocks (40 minutes north of Greymouth), you’ll also get to take in the glorious scenery of the Coast Road. Then, once you arrive in Punakaiki, you will be able to marvel at the limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools – witness the full force of the ocean, right in front of your eyes. The short, paved walk is suitable for children too.
Cobden Takeaways
No doubt you’ll be hungry after all your travel adventures, so if you’re after some classic Kiwi fish’n’ chips, Cobden Takeaways in Greymouth is well worth the visit. Some have said it’s the best in New Zealand! And if the weather is playing ball, take your order down to the beach and enjoy a stunning West Coast sunset.
Jimmy Cook’s Kiwi Kitchen
Whether you’re after breakfast, lunch or dinner, Jimmy Cook’s Kiwi Kitchen in Greymouth has everything you’re after – and so much more. The menu changes seasonally, to include new to market produce and by working in conjunction with local suppliers. It also has a great outlook over the Grey River.
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If you’re heading to Greymouth, or anywhere else in New Zealand for that matter, NZ Rent A Car has you sorted with cheap cars for hire. And if you are planning an epic Kiwi roadie, make sure you download our fun HOLIDAY BINGO for everything you must do/grab a photo of when you’re travelling in New Zealand.
