West Coast Walking

Discover the breathtaking beauty of New Zealand's West Coast with this essential guide, perfect for both local adventurers and international travelers. Authored by Kerry-Jane Wilson and published by Canterbury University Press, this comprehensive paperback book details an extraordinary range of natural attractions found on the South Island's West Coast. Spanning forests, alpine heights, and stunning coastlines, this guide encourages exploration of the rich biodiversity unique to the region. With over 80% of New Zealand’s native species residing here, including endemic birds, reptiles, and plants, the West Coast is a paradise for nature enthusiasts. The guide provides in-depth insights into accessible walking paths, kayak routes on pristine lakes, and tips for observing wildlife. Whether you're looking for short, family-friendly walks or seeking longer, more challenging hikes, this book caters to all skill levels, including wheelchair accessible trails. Ideal for naturalists, bird watchers, and anyone captivated by the great outdoors, this reprinted edition includes updates for the finest experience possible. Explore hidden gems and well-preserved landscapes, making the West Coast of New Zealand a must-visit destination for any nature lover, as well as a source of inspiration for your next adventure.

Author: Kerry-Jane Wilson Publisher: Canterbury University Press
Bind: paperback
Dimensions: 152 x 228 mm
Pages: 368
Publication Date: 20-01-2018

The West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island arguably boasts the greatest range of the country’s natural attractions. From the warm, temperate nikau palm forests at Karamea to the cool beech forests of Haast, from the alpine heights of Arthur’s Pass to the dramatic Paparoa coast, glaciers that descend into valleys filled with unique podocarp rainforests, plus pristine lakes and lagoons - the West Coast has it all. New Zealand is a centre of endemicity, with over 80% of our native non-marine birds, reptiles, flowering plants, gymnosperms, land-snails and insects restricted to this country, and hundreds of those species are found on the West Coast. The Coast is an essential destination for any overseas naturalist or bird-watcher, and a place New Zealanders interested in nature should return to time and again. This remote part of the country is New Zealand as tourists and many Kiwis imagine it to be. Remote and wild it may seem, yet most of its natural attractions are accessible from sealed roads and well-formed paths, some even wheelchair accessible. This book presents an introduction to the West Coast’s physical environment, plants and animals, and a guide to the walks, lakes and highways of the region. Short easy paths are described in some detail, along with the plants, animals and natural features to look for along the way. Longer, more demanding trails are described in less detail. The lakes and lagoons are best explored by kayak, and guidance is given for the paddling naturalist. An essential guide to the region’s natural attractions since its publication in 2013, West Coast Walking has been reprinted and includes updates and minor corrections.