Haast is a tiny town nestled in the vastness of The South-West New Zealand World Heritage Area, or Te Wahipounamu. This is a stunning area of the West Coast which is nearly untouched.
The area is home to the Haast tokeoka, a very rare endangered kiwi. You can join the Department of Conservation at the Kiwi Sanctuary and watch kiwi dogs being trained to find tokeoka.
Near Haast up State Highway 6 is Thunder Creek Falls. This dramatic ninety-foot waterfall is just a short walk from the car park.
You could also try the Hapuka Estuary Walk, which starts at Haast Beach. Along the way you’ll encounter plentiful birdlife, and see massive 800 year old Rimu trees.
By boat, you can see bottlenose and Hector’s dolphins, fur seals, and also penguins at the Fiordland Crested Penguin breeding colony. You can also take a tour up the river in a covered jet boat, ensuring you stay warm and dry.
