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Regardless of not being on many travellers’ ‘must-visit’ checklist when considering a visit to New Zealand, Greymouth is definitely the most important metropolis on the South Island’s west coast and nicely value a prolonged cease – if solely to be taught concerning the area’s culturally vital ties to Pounamu (Greenstone or NZ Jade) and have a pint of domestically crafted beer from Monteith’s brewery.
And coincidentally, it’s these very issues which have put Greymouth on the vacationer map, turning into a big a part of what this charming city affords avid adventure-seekers, historical past buffs, and nature lovers.
So, whether or not you’re treating Greymouth as a stepping stone in your option to different locations (which you completely shouldn’t be) otherwise you’re staying to expertise the breathtaking pure magnificence and discover the city’s fascinating previous, these are the highest issues Greymouth is understood for. Glad holidaying.
Gray River
I can’t speak about Greymouth, and the various different issues it’s recognized for, with out first mentioning its namesake, the Gray River. This 120-kilometre river was named after the governor of New Zealand on the time, Sir George Gray, by explorer Thomas Brunner in 1846 (who additionally give his title to Lake Brunner, the most important lake on the west coast) and continues to be a spot treasured by each locals and guests to the area.
Whether or not you fancy making an attempt to hook a trout or a yellow-eyed mullet out of its murky depths, mess around within the Taylorville swimming gap (positioned off the river within the close by Taylorville township) or wander alongside it on a peaceable stroll, this river solely provides to the appeal of Greymouth and affords the proper out of doors escape for nature lovers.
The mid-1800s gold rush
No occasion or phenomenon in Greymouth’s quick however fascinating historical past has formed it as a lot because the mining rush of the mid-1800s did. So profound an impact on how the city turned out, this era in Greymouth’s previous has been recreated and remembered with sights such because the Shantytown Heritage Park and the Brunner Mine website obtainable for exploration to the general public.
Strolling across the Shantytown Heritage Park provides you with an excellent understanding of what life was like for these searching for golden glory with grocery shops, bars, eating places, and hospitals (amongst different locations) all arrange as if it was the 1860s – you’ll be able to even strive your luck panning for gold.
Craft beer
If New Zealand runs on beer (the 63% of alcohol gross sales being beer tells me it does), then Greymouth’s runs on Monteith’s Brewery – the unique house of craft brewing in New Zealand. With a pioneering previous that dates again to the early mining days of the mid-1800s and a comfy environment that’ll have you ever saying, “I’ll take one other, thanks”, this native watering gap is an intrinsic a part of Greymouth’s historical past and its current cultural scene.
Whether or not you need to linger some time over a tasting tray (select from both 3 or 6 beers) and a scrumptious meal made up of domestically sourced elements or strive your hand at pouring your very personal beer as a part of a brewery tour, Monteith’s is iconic in its choices – assume the traditional staples of Pilsner, Black, and Golden blended in with some enjoyable seasonal ales – and robust in its spirit.
VISIT MONTEITH’S BREWERY ON OUR PREMIUM NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND TOUR
Pounamu (Greenstone)
Māori tradition runs deep in Greymouth and so does the importance of pounamu – a brilliantly colored inexperienced stone solely present in New Zealand that’s been used for carving treasures comparable to pendants, cloak pins and different heirlooms and sensible instruments like chisels, knives, and spear factors by the Maori folks for hundreds of years.
Believed to carry and enhance non secular energy when handed down by the generations, pounamu continues to play an vital half within the nation’s tradition at the moment with jewelry and different ornamental gadgets usual from this particular stone given as items.
Should you fancy taking a little bit of this area’s cultural historical past house with you, there are just a few boutiques that promote trinkets constituted of pounamu and our Greymouth excursions even cease at an area studio for a behind-the-scenes have a look at dealing with this treasured stone.
VISIT A LOCAL POUNAMU STUDIO ON OUR NEW ZEALAND SOUTHERN PIONEER TOUR
Nature trails/walks
A part of Greymouth’s appeal is its lovely, pure environment, so it solely is sensible to discover as a lot of it as doable whilst you’re visiting. Fortunately, it’s extraordinarily simple to do contemplating the multitude of strolling trails that take you thru thick forests, previous mirror-like lakes, and alongside coastal clifftops.
Try ‘woods creek stroll’ for a leisurely journey by forested bushland to tunnels as soon as utilized by gold miners or maybe go to the coal creek falls by way of a one-hour simple loop that’ll take you on to the bottom of a spectacular waterfall by passing by the native wilderness. Whichever path you determine to observe, you’re certain to take pleasure in spending your time within the nice outside.
TranzAlpine prepare journey
Heralded as among the best prepare journeys on the earth (together with the Inca Rail from Ollantaytambo to Machu Pichu in Peru and the Ghan from Adelaide to Darwin in Australia), the TranzAlpine prepare journey is really a transformative expertise if not for the excellent pure surroundings that’ll whizz by your window, then for the startling proven fact that for as soon as in your life, you’ll want the journey had taken longer.
Masking 223 kilometres in 5 hours, this journey travels from coast to coast (Christchurch to Greymouth), permitting you to marvel on the South Island’s extraordinary mountain ranges from the consolation of an open-air viewing carriage. Sure, you learn that proper.
From the expansive panorama of the Canterbury Plains to the gently shifting Arnold and Gray rivers, expertise the perfect of New Zealand’s surroundings and start your South Island journey heading in the right direction, actually.
