Landmark
Westland Explorers' Monument
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The Westland Explorers' Monument is a stone obelisk located in Hokitika, commemorating the European explorers who charted the rugged West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. Key figures honored include Thomas Brunner, who completed the first crossing of the Southern Alps, and Charles Heaphy, a surveyor and later Victoria Cross recipient. The monument stands in a small park with benches and native plantings, offering a quiet spot for reflection. Visitors can read the inscribed names and learn about the challenges these explorers faced in the dense bush and rivers.
Don't miss
- View the obelisk inscribed with names of notable West Coast explorers
- Read about Thomas Brunner's epic journey across the Southern Alps
- Enjoy the peaceful park setting with native greenery
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Westland Explorers' Monument
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
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