Greymouth is on State Highway 6 between Hokitika and Punakaiki. Coal was a major mining activity on the West Coast, and Greymouth was historically a service town for the mines and farming. There is still some mining, but tourism is increasingly important, including the TranzAlpine Express tourist train from Christchurch.
The town's main feature is its centre and the walkway along the Grey River, all the way to the famously dangerous river mouth. Cool on a nice day, but the place lives up to the name when the weather is not so good! At least there are good cafes to compensate. There are also typically rugged West Coast beaches to the north and south of the river mouth.
If you want to take a side trip back in time, drive inland to Blackball. This is a dot of a place made famous by a hotel, its relationship to the New Zealand Labour Party, a local salami sausage business, and a couple of other interesting pieces of local history.
