Greymouth Guide
Greymouth, on New Zealand's South Island, is a prime area for ecotourism and is famous for its Greenstone carving industry, which has its roots in the native Maori culture
- Shantytown - This replica gold-mining town located in the bush is packed with memorabilia of the time, including historic buildings, objects, archives and textiles, and visitors can even pan for gold.
- Left Bank Art Gallery - Showcase for the region's artistic talent, the gallery exhibits the work of West Coast artists and has a great shop.
- Monteith's Brewery - For tours of the brewery and tastings of the fine local ales, this can be an entertaining and intoxicating experience of the Greymouth culture.
There are plenty of places to eat out in Greymouth, and whether you are looking for a quick snack or somewhere to spend a romantic evening over three courses by candlelight, you are sure to find what you want. Food, drink and atmosphere are all here in abundance. Steamer's Carvery and Bar specialises in turbot and steak, and has a great salad bar, whilst the Priya Indian Restaurant serves mild to hot curries to suit all tastes in a cosy atmosphere.
Outdoor activities for all the family can be found in and around Greymouth, which has some of the finest natural assets in the country. Surfing and walking are especially popular, with several beaches and a series of official walkways in the immediate area, with some fabulous scenery to enjoy, and the kids will love the Wild West Adventure trail that was once used by Maori traders. There are also white-water rafting, off-road bike adventures and cave rafting on offer.
One of the reasons people love to come to Greymouth is to go shopping for Greenstone products. The Jade Boulder Gallery is the West Coast's quality jade products capital and the owner's carvings ornamenting collections across the world. There's a good cafe attached to the gallery so shopping here for jade products, as well as for furniture, bowls, hand-knitted sweaters and numerous other authentic items, can make for a good afternoon out.
Greymouth accommodation comes in many forms to suit taste and budget. You can book a range of places to stay on your trip from plush hotels to backpacker hostels, it's all clean and tidy and close to the attractions. Whatever the nature of your journey in Greymouth, be assured you will find accommodation to suit you.