West Coast Whitebait Season Festival

New Zealand whitebait is a delicacy that brings people flocking to the West Coast during season.

So with the season coinciding with Rugby World Cup 2011 and a range of events and activities on offer, your visit to this beautiful region will be packed with options to explore the best that the West Coast has to offer.

The West Coast is known for its rugged yet stunning scenery and warm local hospitality, whitebait season is a great opportunity to experience both. From Karamea to Haast, the West Coast Whitebait festival activities will include a photography competition, a whitebait menu challenge, a rugby video competition with airline travel to the Coast and glacier activities as prizes, a history of whitebait competition and lots of chances to sample the delicacy.

You be the judge!

Throughout Rugby World Cup 2011 and from the top to the bottom of the Coast, restaurants and eateries will be presenting special menus in The Great West Coast Whitebait Challenge you have the challenge (and the pleasure) of becoming world-famous whitebait judges — make sure you try the famous New Zealand whitebait pattie. Look out for the Whitebait Menu Challenge cook offs happening in many West Coast communities for a chance to meet the locals and sample the whitebait dishes.

As you travel, you can also enter your photos simply by emailing them into the West Coast Whitebait Photography Competition.

Download the West Coast Whitebait Festival Guide (PDF 2.47mb)

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