Where the trout die of old age

Lake and rivers teeming with trout mean you won't even have to lie to your mates about the one that got away. Lake Brunner and the village of Moana boasts the West Coast's largest lake and it is a popular holiday destination for locals in the know - it really is a trout fishing mecca. 

The world famous TranzAlpine train stops here and you can play golf, view arts and crafts, sail or go for a swim in the warmer months. There is an abundance of birdlife in the large wetland and rainforest ecosystems.

Getting here

Find out time and distance from Lake Brunner to other locations:

• Use 100% Pure New Zealand's travel and distance calculator.
• Print the West Coast Distance and Driving Time Calculator (PDF 244KB).

Lake Brunner and Moana

Lake Brunner, 37km inland from Greymouth, is the largest lake on the West Coast and a favourite playground for locals.   The town of Moana sits at the northern end of Lake Brunner and has a range of accommodation and dining options. One place even has its own golf course! There is a pottery studio, a service centre for motoring needs and grocery supplies and a variety of land and water based activities in Moana. 

You will find some of the best trout fishing in New Zealand at Lake Brunner. All the trout are wild browns and the average weight is 3-4lbs. The lake is open to fishing all year and the winter months can be very productive. Experienced fishing guides and licenses are available locally.There are many beautiful spots along the lake frontage for picnicing or birdwatching. The Velenski Track gives great views of the lake and is one of the many interesting walks in the Lake Brunner area.

Hear about all of exciting the things you can do in the West Coast

The TranzAlpine train stops at Moana and passengers can disembark for a three hour stopover while the train continues to Greymouth.

To experience a bit of the history of Lake Brunner, walk the Bain Bay Track to an historic lakeside logging camp or visit the Moana Rail Precinct, the site of the old station master's residence (now a cafe).

Between Jacksons and Arthurs Pass

40km away from Lake Brunner is Jacksons, which hosts an excellent holiday park and the turn off to Christchurch and Arthurs Pass.

Otira is the next small village along the Arthurs Pass road. It was built to house workers who built the Otira tunnel in 1923. If you fancy owning a small village, including the pub, houses and fire station, Otira is for sale – for offers over $1 million only!

The Otira Viaduct is an impressive scenic stop and engineering feat. The 440 metre viaduct made the highway an all-weather road that is now only closed for brief times to clear snow during the winter months.

The Taipo Valley offers a great scenic mountain bike on a rough farm track.

Arthurs Pass is a lovely small alpine village set in the Arthurs Pass National Park. It is a great stopping point to stretch your legs as there are numerous short walks for all abilities. Find your closest DOC information centre to find more information.

One of the main attractions of the town is the Kea watching. The fun-loving native New Zealand alpine parrot is often seen in the village, especially near the store. Enjoy watching their antics but please do not feed them. Learn about all the incredible wildlife you can spot on the West Coast.

There are great short walks in Arthurs Pass including the Devils Punchbowl Walk and Bridal Veil Walk.

Win a $10,000 gold bar

So where's the gold? That's the $10,000 question.

We've hidden a $10K gold bar close to one of six iconic locations on the West Coast. 

Read about each icon to find a number of clues buried in the text: www.pinandwin.nz