Photo: Highway 6 New Zealand

State Highway 6 or Glacier Highway is the longest state highway on the South Island of New Zealand.

When watching for highway markers on the roads in New Zealand, look for the red shield shaped signs that have white numbering to identify the highway you are looking for. Highway 6 is a scenic route that follows along the coastline of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand with lush green coastal scrub bordering the edges.

As you drive along Highway 6 on the South Island there are three national parks to explore, white heron breeding grounds, fur seal colonies and two of New Zealand's most magnificent glaciers.

The main towns of interest to stop at while traveling Highway 6 is Westport, a historic gold mining town where a fur seal colony resides and caves that are fascinating to explore. Greymouth is another town where you will find beautiful lakes for fishing, gold panning, surfing, caves and parks full of wildlife native to New Zealand.

The next town is Hokitika which is home to stunning waterfalls, lakes, gorges, museums, rafting and kayaking adventures and last but not least is Franz Josef. ... continue below the picture...

This picture is part of the photo album "Road Pictures" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.

... This is a world heritage park where you can explore glaciers, view a seal colony and a heron colony, enjoy lakes and beaches where you will find total privacy.

Highway 6 is still very much left untouched by humans and the road is never extremely busy. The trip along the West Coast on the South Island of New Zealand may take longer than expected just to catch a glimpse of everything but if time is of no essence, then you will thoroughly enjoy this drive.

Highway 6 the Glacier Highway along the West Coast fringed by dense coastal scrub, Westland, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.