Geography of West Coast
Geography of West Coast: location, coordinates, elevation, terrain and the places around it.
Geography of West Coast
Aoraki / Mount Cook is 96 mi to the south-west, Christchurch is 104 mi to the south-east, Canterbury is 104 mi to the south-east and South Island is 110 mi to the south.
Map of West Coast
Interactive map with nearby places. Switch between street, terrain and satellite views.
Coordinates: 42°27′0″S 171°12′36″E (-42.45, 171.21)
Quick facts about West Coast
| Type | Region |
|---|---|
| Country | New Zealand |
| Continent | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 42°27′0″S 171°12′36″E (-42.45, 171.21) |
| Population | 32.000 |
| Local time | 5:49 PM (UTC+12:00) |
| Best months | February |
| Climate | Temperate |
Summary
West Coast is a region in New Zealand. West Coast is a region of New Zealand. It has a population of about 32.000.
Right now it is 47°F (9°C) in West Coast with thunderstorm. It feels like 35°F. Today runs from 43°F to 55°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 3.1/10 - poor - consider another day.
The best time to visit West Coast is February. The climate is temperate. June, July and September tend to be the least comfortable months. January is the warmest month with average highs near 68°F, while August is the coldest with lows near 39°F.
The closest major airport is Queenstown Airport (ZQN), about 216 mi away. Nearby highlights include Aoraki / Mount Cook, South Island, Lake Wakatipu and Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 55°F is in line with the 54°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 9 AM to 12 PM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. fishing is the strongest bet in West Coast today at 7.7/10. Visibility is down to 1,2 mi - use low beams and leave extra following distance. Gusts to 63 mph will push high-sided vehicles on exposed roads and bridges. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Climate in West Coast month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 68° | 55° | 8,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| February | 67° | 54° | 5,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| March | 64° | 52° | 6,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 62° | 50° | 11,9 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| May | 58° | 45° | 6,5 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| June | 55° | 43° | 11,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| July | 54° | 41° | 8,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| August | 54° | 39° | 7,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| September | 56° | 45° | 14,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| October | 58° | 46° | 14,5 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| November | 62° | 49° | 9,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 65° | 54° | 11,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
Climate type: Temperate. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Explore West Coast
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Frequently asked questions
Where is West Coast?
West Coast is a region in New Zealand. Its coordinates are -42.45, 171.21. It lies in Oceania.
What is the weather like in West Coast right now?
It is currently 47°F (9°C) with thunderstorm. Humidity is 80% and wind is 24 mph.
When is the best time to visit West Coast?
February offer the most comfortable conditions in West Coast, which has a temperate climate. June, July and September are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is West Coast in?
West Coast observes Pacific/Auckland (UTC+12:00). The local time is 5:49 PM.
How many people live in West Coast?
West Coast has a population of approximately 32.000.
What is the nearest airport to West Coast?
The closest airports are Queenstown Airport (ZQN), 216 mi away.
What are the top things to do in West Coast?
Popular options include Aoraki / Mount Cook, South Island, Lake Wakatipu, Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand and Milford Sound.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (nz-regions) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Map tiles | OpenStreetMap contributors, CARTO and Esri. |
| Elevation | Open-Meteo digital elevation model where the dataset has no value. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 23, 2026 at 5:49 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
