Full steam ahead at the Westland Industrial Heritage Park!

Check out the latest West Coast visitor attraction – the Big Engine Sound and Light Show. 

A West Coast must-see for anyone interested in things mechanical is a visit to the Westland Industrial Heritage Park in Hokitika. View the rare operational Ruston, giant Blackstone and Mirrlees engines of the forestry era, and hear their stories through the latest sound and light show. Meet the team who undertake the restoration work, and take the kids for a ride on the Mudfish Railway. View the fascinating collection of historic industrial equipment, including early engines, fire appliances, one of New Zealand’s last stage coaches in regular service, horse drawn vehicles, tractors, trucks, an extensive range of old chainsaws and other logging equipment, historic wooden boats and much more!

Directions: 9 Brian Waugh Lane, Hokitika (off Airport Drive); open Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10-3pm and other days on request. 

The brilliant Big Engine Sound and Light Show at the Westland Industrial Heritage Park.

All aboard the Mudfish Railway at the Westland Industrial Heritage Park.

The breathtaking Blaketown Breakwater

Taking a short detour off the trail to experience the breakwater at the Grey River mouth is exhilarating in both calm and stormy weather.

Constructed between the 1880s and 1950s, this impressive and enduring entrance has withstood the pounding of furious seas and witnessed many shipwrecks and maritime dramas.

Steeped in history and the sheer ruggedness of the Tasman Sea, riders can take in Mt Cook and the Southern Alps from the viewing platform, the World War Two machine gun lookout post, the Signal Station and memorial plaques remembering the many folk lost to the ocean.

Watching spectacular waves crashing over the breakwater, fishing boats leaving and returning across the bar, and surfers and body boarders playing in the ocean are popular thrills for visitors and locals alike. Riders can also amble around the Aramahana bird sanctuary before retuning back to the trail, or just hang at the breakwater to enjoy the West Coast’s famous sunsets after a day in the saddle.

Directions: After you've skirted around the port in Greymouth, the trail heads towards the Tasman Sea. The breakwater is straight ahead of you, just after the Blaketown Rugby Club and playing fields. 

Cyclists on the Blaketown Breakwater (Jason Blair Katabatic Creative)

Enjoying a famous West Coast sunset on the Blaketown Breakwater (Stewart Nimmo Photography)

Download the Great Rides App

This awesome (and free) app will help you locate this Great Ride of New Zealand's hidden secrets, and track your adventure using GPS (no mobile signal required). It also has maps, trail descriptions and info on trail services. 

Download the app from:

 

Find out more about the West Coast Wilderness Trail here.