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Town on the West Coast, New Zealand
Photo: Pseudopanax at English Wikipedia, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Westport is the main town of the Buller District, in the northern part of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Westport has spectacular beaches at its back door, and the mighty Buller River, the largest river by volume in NZ, runs right beside the town. Breathtaking views of the Paparoa Mountains and the Brunner Range are the backdrop for this scenic town. Outdoor adventures abound, coupled with fabulous eateries and hospitable locals.
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Historic 1930's art deco building. A prominent landmark of Westport. Informal Saturday-morning market with local food and crafts can be found in front of the building (may be seasonal).
Historic cemetery used from approx. 1867 to 1893.
27 km east of Westport. Interesting exhibits, amazing views.
Wide sandy beach popular with picnickers, surfers and horseback riders.
Beautiful wide sandy beach perfect for walking, biking, horseback riding and of course swimming and surfing.
Access the beach from Omau Domain which overlooks it. Ramp leads to beach which is safe only at low tide. Beautiful beach with rock arch. (3/2021 Update: ramp is closed due to unsafe conditions.).
Access the beach from small parking area on the beach side, by the gate. Path and steps lead to beach. Find the cave at low tide.
A broad sandy shell-shaped beach. Sensitive habitat for little blue penguins. Dogs must be leashed.
Also provides private ensuite rooms and dorm rooms, as well as tent and campervan sites.
The Adventure HQ
Outfitter for Old Ghost Road and Paparoa Track.
Kiwi and international movies on this local screen. Venue also hosts concerts and other events.
Bike trail along the lower Buller River and continuing on to the Kawatiri Beach Reserve. 8 km of easy track in Westport.
A 55 km trail connecting Westport to Charleston is expected to be completed in 2022. The Pūwaha section connecting Westport to Carters Beach, the first 5km of the track, opened in December 2020. Trail has many historical signs, and travels through open farmland, over wetlands, through rain forest, and by the Buller River. Raised boardwalks and a new swing bridge make this an interesting and enjoyable journey on bike or foot. Wheelchair accessible.
27 km north of Westport. DOC and Buller Cycling Club have partnered to create 3 to 27 km loops (20 mins to 8 hours). No dogs. Tracks - Easy (Grade 2), Intermediate (Grade 3).
The Carters Beach Market is the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, off-season (winter) it may be monthly. Check their Facebook page to confirm.
Bring the kids to enjoy a fun playground next to the beach.
starts just a few km from town and follows the coast along a ridge from the Cape Foulwind Lighthouse to the Seal Colony and Tauranga Bay. It's a nice hike and if you're lucky the fog will be rolling in, the wind will be blowing and the surf pounding and you will see why Captain James Cook named the area Cape Foulwind. About two hours return, the non-stop views are well worth the time and effort.
The 10-minute track from the car park is suitable for wheelchairs and leads to viewing platforms directly overlooking the colony.
Comfortable cafe with outdoor seating offering freshly prepared breakfast and lunch items all day. Coffee, tea, house-made slices and muffins.
Full restaurant and bar for lunch and dinner. Offering day menu including breakfast items starting at 11am.
Golden Horse Chinese Takeaway
Fish & chips takeaway. Chinese food takeaway or eat-in.
Brews craft beers, including Green fern organic lager.
Indian eat-in and takeaway.
Cake and More
Walk-up coffee takeaway.
Nicely prepared food. Dark windows and entry.
Premium wild game pies. Shop online for delivery, and some locations along the West Coast. Check their Facebook page for updates: https://www.facebook.com/WestCoastPies.
Restaurant and event space.
Food cart.
Rainbow Cake Kitchen
Multi-generational family run bakery. Takeaway fresh milk and cream from a local grass-fed organic dairy.
Coffee and freshly prepared food using local organic ingredients, gluten free options available. All food and drinks are takeaway. Also offer locally made jams and jellies. Location for Saturday market, weather permitting.
Food cart with freshly prepared-to-order Thai and Indonesian style food that is worth the wait. May be closed in bad weather. No credit cards.
Takeaway Thai food. Ring to place order.
A historic tavern offers an outdoor beer garden in good weather, as well as indoor bar and restaurant. Open Tuesday-Friday from 2pm, Saturday-Sunday from 1pm. Also a park-over property, powered and non-powered caravan sites available. Owner Tania Newmans is your host.
The post office is inside the supermarket.
Luffy's Dairy
Mill House Dairy
Small grocery store with local produce.
Beautiful views of the beach, the Steeples and Cape Foulwind from this comfortable cafe serving freshly prepared food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Small convenience store offers baked goods and staples, and scoop ice cream. Across from the Domain and playground. Outdoor seating available in the front, to better enjoy the views.
Closest holiday park to Westport centre. Motel rooms, tent sites, powered camper sites. Park-like setting in 12 acres of native bush. Playground, mini-golf course.
Westport YHA
85-bed backpacker hostel in a historic 1860s building. Tent sites. Outdoor area. Bicycles available.
Jan and Ian Stevenson are your hosts at this homestay location.
Motel rooms. Laundry facilities.
Asure
Self-contained ensuite rooms for 1-3 people in this rural setting 10km south of Westport. Guest BBQ available. Guest laundry facilities. Hosts Bill and Cheryl Rodmell.
Budget motel near the centre of town.
Hotel, restaurant and bar.
In-town hotel within walking distance of town centre.
Hotel with restaurant and bar, pool tables and gaming room.
Beautiful historic home in garden setting in center of Westfield. Non-smoking. No children or pets.
Ensuite king and double rooms, one with disability access. Beautiful rural location overlooking expansive gardens and the Buller River. Venue for weddings and parties. Easy 8-minute drive to Westport. Hosts Kathleen & Jim Rea, lifetime locals.
Studio apartments with gorgeous views of the beach and Paparoa Mountains. Completed in December 2014, the studios are modern. Each studio has large sliding doors to a balcony. Passive heat capture from the northerly aspect make them cozy all year round.
Motel rooms, cabins, powered and non-powered camp sites.
Each unit has small kitchen facilities. Outdoor gas BBQ on the main deck is available.
Seasonal weekly farmer's market.
Gifts, NZ-made goods, cards, and large section of used books with return policy.
Gift shop with handmade New Zealand items. Find Owner's Utopia Farms hazelnuts.
Organic shop.
Surfing clothing and gear.
Bike hires, track shuttles. Fishing, hunting, biking gear. Over 20 lines of NZ-made goods.
Iconic shop. Chat with the owner, Phil Wood, who has a long history of West Coast exploration and knowledge.
Knit, sew, quilt and fabric shop.
Shoes, sandals, boots
Clothing, athletic shoes, accessories
Clothing shop.
Camping supplies.
By car
Westport is at the mouth of the Buller River, about 5 km up State Highway 67 from the junction with State Highway 6.
By bus
Intercity have a daily coach from Nelson via Murchison, arriving in the morning and going onwards to Fox Glacier.
Westport is an easy town to explore and navigate by walking or bicycle. Taxis are also available. Carters Beach is a few kilometres out of town, Cape Foulwind 12 km, and Tauranga Bay a further 5 km.
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Westport · Regional · WSZ
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