Driving Experiences on the West Coast

West Coast quad biking and off-road driving in New Zealand cover riverbeds, grassland, sand, mud and forest tracks with the Southern Alps overhead. The coast is a drive in its own right too, with State Highway 6 linking Hokitika, Franz Josef, Greymouth and Punakaiki. Both sit inside things to do on New Zealand's West Coast.

Quad biking and off-road riding on the West Coast

Off-road riding on the West Coast crosses ground that changes every few minutes: riverbeds, grassland, sand, mud and forest tracks, with snow-capped peaks and Franz Josef Glacier in view.

A ride such as the Franz Josef off-road quad bike tour covers that ground in a 2-hour run that takes beginners and experienced riders alike. You can ride solo or share a double quad or buggy with a passenger, so a group can mix confident riders and passengers.

Riding in the wet

Mud and river sections are part of the appeal, and the weather adds to it. Franz Josef averages 5,751mm of rain a year, according to NIWA's 1981 to 2010 climate normals, with some rain on more than half the days of the year. Wet-weather gear and boots are part of the kit on a quad bike tour, so wear clothes you do not mind getting dirty.

When the cloud is too low for helicopters, rainy day activities on the West Coast are worth a look.

Driving the West Coast yourself

State Highway 6 is the spine of the coast. It links Hokitika and Franz Josef to the south with Greymouth, Punakaiki and Westport to the north.

Hokitika to Franz Josef is 134km, so build in a 2-hour drive at the least. The road has long straights along valley floors, winding, narrow and hilly sections in between, several one-lane bridges and few passing lanes, so extra time beats a tight schedule.

North of Greymouth, Punakaiki is 44km up State Highway 6 and Westport is a further 57km beyond it. Māori cultural experiences in Greymouth and Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks walk break that stretch into a day.

When you would rather someone else take the controls

West Coast tours take the road off your hands, from glacier heli hikes to coach day trips between Queenstown and the glaciers. For the view from above instead of from the seat, helicopter flights and skydives over the glaciers cover the same valleys, and kayaking and paddleboarding on the West Coast cover the lakes.

Weather decides how these fit together. Flights depend on cloud, so book the flight early in your stay and keep a spare day to move it to.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go quad biking on the West Coast of New Zealand?

Quad biking on the West Coast runs at Franz Josef, where off-road tours ride through riverbeds, grassland, sand, mud and forest tracks beneath the Southern Alps. A tour such as the 2-hour Franz Josef ride takes both solo riders and passengers.

Do you need experience to go quad biking in Franz Josef?

Quad bike tours in Franz Josef suit beginners and experienced riders. Riders can go solo on a single quad or share a double quad or buggy with a passenger.

What should you wear for quad biking on the West Coast?

Wear clothes you do not mind getting wet and muddy, because the riding covers river and mud sections. Wet-weather gear and boots are part of the kit on a tour like the Franz Josef quad bike ride.

How long is the drive from Hokitika to Franz Josef?

Hokitika to Franz Josef is 134km on State Highway 6, so plan on a 2-hour drive at the minimum. One-lane bridges and a lack of passing lanes can slow it.

What is State Highway 6 on the West Coast like to drive?

State Highway 6 on the West Coast mixes long straights on valley floors with narrow, winding, hilly sections. It has several one-lane bridges and few passing lanes, so allow extra time.

How far is Punakaiki from Greymouth?

Punakaiki is about 44km north of Greymouth on State Highway 6, and about 57km south of Westport. The Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk is at Dolomite Point, near Punakaiki.

Pick an off-road day, then drive the coast road north to Punakaiki and fit the rest of experiences across New Zealand's West Coast around it.