West Coast tour Greymouth: Punakaiki seals brewery tastings
Relax on a scenic drive through historic mining sites and coastal highways
This full-day tour from Greymouth travels the West Coast's top-ranked scenic highway to Punakaiki Rocks, a seal colony at Tauranga Bay, and the towns of Westport and Reefton. You walk the Pancake Rocks trail, ride up to a viewing platform above the seals, choose lunch from two local restaurants, taste craft beer at Shortjaw Brewery (Tuesday–Saturday) or spirits in Reefton, and explore the Brunner Mine site in its forest gorge. A live guide narrates the route, the Buller Gorge and local history throughout the nine-hour day.
More experiences you might like
Hokitika Gorge and Tree Top Walkway: 5-hour forest walkEvery day · 08:30 · From age 3★ 4.56 (39)5hENNZ$ 219View ›
Greymouth West Coast Full Day Tour: Hokitika Gorge & Pancake RocksEvery day · 08:30 · All ages★ 4.88 (8)8hENNZ$ 369View › Compare more experiences like this »
Step-by-step itinerary
West Coast sights and tastes tour
- Meet at Greymouth Town Square
- Travel along the Coast Road
- Walk Pancake Rocks trail
- Stop for photos on Coast Road
- Visit Tauranga Bay seal colony
- Lunch in Westport
- Taste craft beers at Shortjaw Brewery
- Explore Buller Gorge and take photos
- Taste spirits in Reefton and explore town
- Visit Brunner Mine site and memorial
- Return to Greymouth
The experience
The tour starts at 8:30am in Greymouth Town Square and heads north on the Coast Road, one of the world's top 10 scenic highways. The first stop is Punakaiki, where you walk the Pancake Rocks trail among captivating rock formations and look for Hectors Dolphins in the water below. The walk includes some tricky rocky stairs, so moderate fitness is needed. By 11am you reach Tauranga Bay, a secluded cove where a short walk up an easy incline leads to a viewing platform overlooking the seal colony: watch them lounging on rocks or playing in the water.
Lunch happens at noon in Westport, and you choose between two venues: the West Coast Pie Company, which uses wild or local ingredients in elevated versions of the New Zealand pie, or PR's Cafe for a more traditional cafe-style meal (both cater to vegetarian, vegan and dietary restrictions). From Tuesday to Saturday, the next stop is Shortjaw Brewery for a tasting of craft beers and a look at the brewing process. On Sundays and Mondays, the itinerary shifts to Reefton's attractions instead. Either way, you drive through the Buller Gorge with photo stops and learn about how early settlers built the road, and may visit Rotokuhu Lavender, a small cottage industry. By 2:45pm you're in Reefton, where Tuesday–Saturday brings a tasting of award-winning gin, whiskey and other spirits. On other days you can walk the town by the Inangahua River or cross the old swing footbridge to see the site of New Zealand's first power station.
The final stop is the Brunner Mine site and memorial walk, set in a small gorge surrounded by native forest, where you learn mining history and see evidence of historical workings. The tour returns to Greymouth by 5:15pm. Alcohol tastings are strictly for travelers 18 and over. Younger teenagers may join the tour with a parent but cannot participate in tastings.
What’s included
- Your choice of lunch at either the West Coast Pie Company or PR's Cafe in Westport.
- tastings of craft beer at Shortjaw Brewery (Tuesday–Saturday) or award-winning spirits in Reefton.
- a live English-speaking guide throughout the day.
Before you book
Prices and times updated today
Operated by West Coast Scenic Taste Tour
Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full West Coast loop in one day with brewery or distillery stops included: the fixed nine-hour itinerary covers Punakaiki, the seal colony, and scenic Highway stops without needing to plan separate transport between them.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the Pancake Rocks walk like at Punakaiki?
The Pancake Rocks walk shows you captivating rock formations and flora and fauna along the coast, with chances to spot Hectors Dolphins in the water. The trail includes some tricky rocky stairs, so you need moderate fitness to manage them safely.
Can I see seals on this tour?
Yes. At Tauranga Bay, a short walk up an easy incline takes you to a viewing platform above the seal colony, where you can watch seals lounging on rocks or playing in the water.
What are the lunch options in Westport?
You choose between the West Coast Pie Company, which makes elevated pies using wild or local ingredients, or PR's Cafe for a traditional cafe-style meal. Both cater to vegetarian, vegan and other dietary needs, and lunch is included in the tour price.
Do I get to taste beer or spirits on this tour?
Tuesday to Saturday, you taste craft beers at Shortjaw Brewery and learn about the brewing process, then taste award-winning gin, whiskey and other spirits in Reefton. On Sundays and Mondays, the brewery and distillery stops are replaced with other Reefton attractions. Tastings are for ages 18 and over only.
What is the Brunner Mine site?
The Brunner Mine site is a memorial walk and historic area set in a small, forested gorge. You learn about the mining history of the West Coast and see evidence of historical mining operations in the native forest landscape.
How much walking is involved in this tour?
You walk the Pancake Rocks trail (which has rocky stairs), take a short walk up an easy incline to the seal colony viewing platform, explore Reefton town, and walk the Brunner Mine site. The tour requires moderate fitness overall, though no single walk is strenuous.
West Coast tour Greymouth: Punakaiki seals brewery tastings
9h · EN
from NZ$ 340 per person
5.0025 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider