Driving Excelsior Street in Seddonville | West Coast | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: West Coast Region

Tags: driving, excelsior street, new zealand, seddonville, west coast

Added: 2 years ago

Driving Excelsior Street in Seddonville, on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.

The historic township of Seddonville is located about 50km north of Westport, about halfway between Westport and Karamea. Seddonville is surrounded by native bush-clad hills, mountains, and wilderness. The town was named following a visit by Premier Richard John Seddon in 1903. At the time, the township was a small coal mining settlement on the south bank of the Mokihinui River.

The town is known for its historical role in New Zealand's coal mining industry. One of the access points for the Charming Creek Walkway is located at Seddonville, which along with the Chasm Creek walkway, are prominent reminders of the area's mining heritage. Both of these walkways follow abandoned railway lines

New Zealand's longest track, The Old Ghost Road trail, is in Seddonville. The trail follows an old gold miners' route linking the ghost town of Lyell in the Buller Gorge with Seddonville near the Mokihinui River mouth, where it leads out to the Tasman Sea. The trail passes through impressive native forest, river flats, open tussock tops, and remote valleys of the Buller district.

The West Coast Region in New Zealand is a strip of land between the South Island's Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea. The region is wild and sparsely populated, with some of the most beautiful landscapes in New Zealand. You will find soaring mountain peaks, impressive glaciers, tranquil lakes, raging rivers, and lush rainforests here. In addition, the West Coast has a very scenic 600km coastline.

The West Coast has the largest protected land area of all New Zealand regions. The region provides access to five of New Zealand's 13 national parks. The south of the West Coast region is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in light of its distinctiveness and in recognition of its unique place in the world.

The Coast's reputation for hospitality is legendary. "Coasters" display genuine friendliness and strength of character as unique as their surroundings.

In the townships of Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika, you can learn about the West Coast's colourful past and shop for pounamu (greenstone or jade). Pounamu is the local treasure whose only significant source within New Zealand is from the West Coast's raging mountain rivers.

The West Coast region has many excellent short scenic walks, hiking opportunities, and adventure pursuits for all ages and levels of ability. Anglers will find they are in paradise anywhere on the Coast.

Try rafting an underground stream through a weird world of stalactites, stalagmites, and glowworms. A wild, ruggedly beautiful coastline between Westport and Greymouth features the matchless Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes.

On the Okarito Lagoon's shores Near Whataroa, New Zealand's only nesting colony of the white heron (kotuku) is found. Boat trips on this primeval swamp reveal these elegant birds in their natural glory.

Graded glacier trips at both Fox and Franz Josef accommodate every level of fitness and experience. There are scenic flights and helicopter excursions for those who wish to view the glaciers from the air.

There are many relics of the gold rush days of the 1860s. Different walks explore the historical workings. You can try gold panning at the Shantytown museum, a replica goldfield town of the last century near Greymouth.

The South Island of New Zealand is symbolised by vast open landscapes with an immense sense of freedom. The island is lightly populated in areas away from the main centres. The South Island is divided by the mountain ranges of the Southern Alps. These mountain ranges form the backbone that the South Island is famous for. They provide a beautiful backdrop of snow-capped peaks against fiords, extensive beech forests, golden sand beaches, and vast fertile plains. There are no active volcanoes but many hot pools. The South Island is more than just beautiful scenery, though. Hike through unspoiled valleys, try out the many ski fields, or get an adrenaline rush with bungee jumping or kayaking to beaches covered in golden sand.