The West Coast: glaciers, rainforest and empty road
The West Coast is the wild side of the South Island — a long, thin strip between the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea, with glaciers running down into rainforest and more rain than anywhere else in the country.
What it's known for
- Franz Josef and Fox glaciers reaching down towards rainforest
- Dense temperate rainforest and moss-hung bush
- Wild, driftwood-strewn beaches and dramatic surf
- Alpine passes crossing from Canterbury
- Small towns with a strong gold and coal mining history
- Genuine remoteness — long stretches with very little on them
Getting around
- Reached over the alpine passes from Canterbury, or up from Wānaka and Queenstown
- The coastal highway is long, scenic and slow
- Weather closes passes occasionally and rain is frequent
- Fuel, food and mobile coverage are sparse between towns
The West Coast is the part of a South Island trip that most rewards not rushing, and most punishes an optimistic schedule. The highway hugs the coast, the corners are constant, and every viewpoint asks you to stop.
It also has the least infrastructure of anywhere on the main tourist circuit. That is exactly the appeal, but it means fuel stops, phone coverage and food need a bit of thought — or a driver who has already thought about them.
We drive the coast and the alpine passes year round, including in the weather it's famous for. It works as a leg of a longer trip or as a full touring day.
Towns and cities we drive in West Coast
Travelling it without a rental car
Highway 1 Tours & Transfers runs private vehicles with local drivers right across New Zealand — single transfers, full touring days, or a driver who stays with you for the whole trip. You get a fixed price agreed before you travel, no left-hand-side driving to learn, and someone who knows the roads and the weather.
Common questions
Keep exploring
Other services we offer
A private transfer is only part of what we do. The same NZTA-licensed drivers and vehicles cover tours, hourly hire, airport and cruise work, corporate travel and group bookings throughout New Zealand.
Private, luxury & multi-day travel
Private touring, chauffeur hire, honeymoon travel and a driver for your whole New Zealand trip.
Explore private travelArriving in New Zealand
First-time visitor guides to landing at Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington and Dunedin.
Read the arrival guidesIsland & region guides
What each part of New Zealand is known for, how long the drives really take, and how to travel it without a rental car.
Explore destinationsVisiting New Zealand
Driving on the left, kilometres to miles, money and tipping, the seasons, and travelling without a rental car.
Read visitor infoAirport shuttle alternative
Private airport transfers instead of a shared shuttle — your group alone, direct to the terminal, price agreed first.
Compare the optionsCity taxi, upgraded
A fixed-price private car instead of the taxi rank — city-by-city guides across New Zealand.
See your citySuburb airport transfers
Local detail on the run to Auckland, Christchurch or Wellington Airport from your own suburb.
Find your suburbPrivate day tours & sightseeing
Keep the same driver for the day and shape the route around what you'd like to see nationwide.
See private toursBy-the-hour driver hire
A driver and vehicle held for a block of time — best when your travel starts and finishes in the same town.
Book hourly hireAirport transfers
Flight-tracked pickups and drop-offs at every main New Zealand airport, door to door.
Airport transfersCruise port transfers & shore days
Met at the terminal in Auckland, Tauranga, Akaroa or Picton — back on board well before all-aboard time.
Cruise transfersSki field transfers
Winter-ready vehicles and alpine drivers for Queenstown, Wānaka, Mt Hutt and Ruapehu — gear included.
Ski transfersCorporate & executive travel
Business accounts, client and staff runs, event movements and consolidated invoicing.
Talk to usGroups, fleets & rental car alternative
Multiple vehicles on one booking for larger parties, or a driven alternative to hiring a car.
Rental car alternativeWhat transfers and taxis cost
Plain answers on what moves the price of an airport run in New Zealand, and how a fixed total compares with a meter.
Fares & costsWeddings, balls & big occasions
Private transport for weddings, school balls, corporate events, funerals, large groups and accessible travel.
Occasion transportConcerts & event transport
Ride there and ride home for the big nights — concerts, festivals and events across New Zealand.
Event transport
Please note: by-the-hour driver hire is only suitable when your travel starts and finishes in the same town. If you're finishing somewhere else, book a private transfer or a day trip so your fare covers the driver's travel.