Greymouth is situated in the South Island’s West Coast, which has a rugged beauty that inspires the many creative people who enjoy the region’s low cost of living. Greymouth is the commercial, industrial and communal heart of the West Coast and is the base for many of the region’s industries – most notably mining (coal and gold), forestry and timber processing, farm processing, and food and beverage products.
The West Coast is the most isolated part of New Zealand with only four passes available for road travel. This has bred an independent but welcoming community and often the West Coast is seen as the soul of the way New Zealand used to be. However, this has not meant that the Coast is behind the times – indeed on community matters and lifestyle, the Coast is ahead of many other regions.