A memorable South Island bucket list is about more than reaching your destination. Breaking up long drives with unforgettable experiences keeps every stage of the journey exciting. Pull over at West Coast Treetops to explore a 20-metre-high canopy walkway, enjoy spectacular alpine views, race along a dual zipline and recharge with a coffee before continuing your adventure.
Spending hours staring at the tarmac on the drive past Queenstown while exploring the South Island can turn a scenic road trip into a bit of a slog.
Most tourists pack their itinerary heavily at the start of their holiday, often forgetting to plan interesting stops for the long haul back up the coast.
Breaking up that long drive is a smart move if you want to actually enjoy your final days on the road.
Adding eco-adventure experiences to your route gives you a perfect excuse to pull over and step outside.
Located just 15 minutes south of Hokitika, West Coast Treetops provides an easy pit stop for those looking for must-do activities while touring New Zealand along the western shoreline.
You get to step out of the driver’s seat, grab a decent coffee and clear your head twenty metres above the ground.
Breaking Up The Long Drive With A Canopy Walk
Being folded into a car seat for four straight hours makes even the prettiest mountains look a bit blurry. Turning off the highway into the Mahinapua Scenic Reserve gives you a genuine chance to stretch out and breathe.
Instead of just pacing the forecourt of a petrol station while filling up, you can actually wander along a 20-metre-high steel walkway tucked right into an ancient Rimu canopy.
It is an easy 1.2-kilometre loop that gets your blood pumping again while keeping you safely above the damp forest floor.
Catching The Best Views Of The Southern Alps
Most quick roadside stops only give you a flat view out the window. Climbing up a 47-metre tower, which is about as tall as a 15-storey building, completely changes how you see the coast.
Standing at the very top reveals the Māori concept of ki uta ki tai, which translates to ‘from the mountains to the sea’.
This local view shows how everything links together, tracking the water as it runs off the snow-capped Southern Alps, through the ancient forests and directly into the crashing Tasman Sea.
It is easily one of the most impressive scenic attractions available anywhere in NZ without needing to book a helicopter.
Waking Up With A High-Speed Zipline Race
Another takeaway coffee might help with highway fatigue, but few things wake you up like stepping off a 47-metre tower.
If you want a fun way to shake off that blurry driving daze, strapping into a dual zipline where you can race side by side through the forest canopy does the trick. You launch from just above the treeline and race your road trip partner straight through the canopy at 65 kilometres an hour.
Rounding Out Your Coastal Itinerary
Building out a good travel schedule means finding places where you can actually interact with the environment rather than just driving past it.
Swapping a boring transit day for a few active outdoor stops turns a long drive into one of the best parts of your holiday. You can break up the endless highway driving by visiting a few memorable natural spots.
- Experiencing the glaciers at Franz Josef gets you out of the car and into the rugged alpine chill.
- Feeling the salt spray from the water spouts at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks gives you a loud and booming display of the ocean.
- Walking across the suspension bridge at Hokitika Gorge puts you right over the bright, glacier-fed turquoise water.
- Catching the mirror reflections around Lake Matheson provides a quiet, flat walking track with perfect views of the highest mountain peaks.
No South Island bucket list is complete without experiencing some of the region’s most memorable attractions. Stop at West Coast Treetops to stretch your legs, enjoy breathtaking forest views, race along the dual zipline and recharge before continuing your journey. Book your tickets online today and make your road trip part of the adventure.
FAQS
What is the best way to break up the drive through Hokitika?
Pulling over for a physical activity works best to fight road fatigue. Taking an hour to walk through a high-altitude canopy or grab a coffee at a local reserve cafe resets your focus before you continue driving toward the ferry.
Are there weight limits for the dual zipline?
Yes. For safety reasons, riders must weigh between 30 kilograms and 120 kilograms to use the high-speed zipline descent.
Is the forest walkway accessible for everyone?
The main 1.2-kilometre steel walkway is entirely wheelchair accessible, making it easy for all ages to enjoy the forest canopy. The 47-metre viewing tower involves stairs and does not accommodate wheelchair access.
How long should I allow for a visit to West Coast Treetops?
Most visitors spend between one and two hours enjoying the canopy walkway, viewing tower, café and optional zipline experience, making it an ideal stop during a South Island road trip.
