Rapahoe, a quiet little township approximately 11 kms north of Greymouth on the Coast road to Westport, is situated on State Highway 6, one of the great scenic roads of the world, on the southern boundary of Paparoa National Park. With only 35 houses, a pub, a few motels and the Rapahoe Beach Motor Camp on an historic school site, Rapahoe is considered a small piece of paradise by its inhabitants.

Previously a base for the many coalmines in the district, Rapahoe is now mainly a retirement and holiday retreat. The Point Elizabeth walkway leads out to the top of the headland from where seals and Hector’s dolphins can often be seen. A seal colony is also located on the rocks at the far end of the beach. The beach itself provides great stone-collecting possibilities, with greenstone often found, fishing, surfing and safe swimming.

The Paparoa National Park is characterized by luxuriant coastal forest, limestone cliffs and canyons, caves and underground streams, and an absolutely spectacular coastline. Established in 1987, it is perhaps most famous for the Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Dolomite Point, near the little settlement of Punakaiki, situated only 15 minutes north of Rapahoe Beach Motor Camp.

The park offers two easily accessible coastal walks and several longer tracks including an historic track from the gold rush days, which travels through the heart of the park. Canoeing, rock-climbing and caving can also be done here.

Rapahoe is a short 10 minute drive north of the township of Greymouth. Originally forged by early Maori in search of precious greenstone during the gold rush in the late 1860s, it is the largest town on the West Coast of the South Island, boasting spectacular scenery and plenty of local attractions for all ages and abilities, including History House, the art gallery and many scenic walks.

Greymouth boasts a range of activities. More sedate pleasures include the Art Gallery, History House, Monteith’s Brewing Co. or a stroll along the flood wall. For those with adventure in mind, go jet boating, rafting, underwater caving, swim with the rare Hector dolphins or view the fur seals from an Ocean Boat Cruise.

Greymouth is also the terminus for the famous Tranz Alpine train from Christchurch and a busy centre for coaches and shuttles taking visitors on tours to other destinations on the West Coast and onto Nelson.

Blackball, the birthplace of socialism is 25 minutes away from Greymouth. Ten minutes further south you find the beautiful Lake Brunner and the popular resort of Moana, known for good fishing, boating and forest walks on the lake shores. Hokitika, a tourist orientated, former Goldfields Capital, is known for its arts and crafts, especially pounamu (NZ jade or greenstone) jewellery. Hokitika's popular Wild Foods Festival in March celebrates the West Coast way of life with local food, music and entertainment. For the more adventurous a 2 and a half hour trip will get you to the Glaciers. Along with the Franz Josef, Fox Glacier’s frozen river of slow-moving ice is one of New Zealand's key attractions. To the North of Greymouth, Westport and the famous Denniston plateau beckon. The mighty Buller and Karamea Rivers dominate the area, flowing out of the mountains of Kahurangi and Nelson Lakes National Parks.

Stretching westward from the awe-inspiring Southern Alps, through lush rainforests to a breathtaking coast.