Westport

Westport is a town in the West Coast region of the South Island of New Zealand. Established in 1861, it is the oldest European settlement on the West Coast. Originally named Buller, it is on the right bank and at the mouth of the Buller River, close by the prominent headland of Cape Foulwind. Wikipedia.
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Trip plannersNew ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast Region

Westport Trip Planner

Trip plannersNew ZealandSouth IslandWest Coast Region

Westport Trip Planner

Ready to plan your trip to Westport? Organize and map your itinerary with our free trip planner.

Top attractions in Westport

Cape Foulwind Walkway
1. Cape Foulwind Walkway
Outdoor Activities
Hiking Trails
The Old Ghost Rd
2. The Old Ghost Rd
4.8
(131)
Hiking area
Outdoor Activities
Slide 1 of 8
Superb trail with such a heartening community story/energy behind it. World-class MTB single track design also leads to gentle inclines for hikers. Huts were excellent. Marion Boatwright's book Spirit In The Stone details the awesome commitment of trail building/the whole vision. Beautiful vistas; (Mokohinui River is stunning. Meridian decided not to dam it, this river deserves to flow.) The Rough and Tumble lodge was excellent for coffee, couches and conversation and would be a lovely place to stay (legendary showers for hikers to use at end too). PS: The Dec24 slip near Lyell needn't stop your plans, we changed to using MTBs; we covered the trip to Ghost Lake with our existing tramp timing bookings (and bike down the recommended(!) way back to Specimen Point) then out next day. Several big groups used a chopper, great memories for hiking kids once big groups have made the effort to get to the region.
Charles D — Google review
Best 5 day tramp yet, great variety of terrain, beautiful native forest flora & fauna. Birdsong +++, very friendly This Robins, Tomtits & saw or heard most every native bird there is. Fungi fiesta! Huts comfortable, lovely & warm with fire going. Wild & mighty rivers!
Diane W — Google review
For day trippers- highly recommend doing the loop of Lyell walkway - Old Ghost Road. Easy access from the upper carpark, past the old cemetery, across the river bridge and then reverse back along the old ghost road trail to the lower carpark. This old mining track is well maintained and used by hikers and cyclists.
Sandy P — Google review
Incredible area with stunning views, wildlife and history!! Lovely huts, and well maintained track.
Donna B — Google review
Fantastic 5-day walk on Old Ghost Road. The terrain is not very difficult and well maintained as it's suitable for cycling. There are some long days with high kms though, so some ability to walk 18-25 km per day is required. I'm not sure I would cycle this trail in its entirety as there are some narrow, steep and rocky sections with scary drop offs and even a stairs sections where you need to carry your bike. For confident mountain bikers only, probably. Scenery was amazing. The huts were luxurious and equipped. I recommend this hike or cycle trail!
Marie-Pascale D — Google review
This trail takes you through the finest landscapes in New Zealand, It is such an incredible experience! The 28km from Lyell through lush bush opens up at the top with mind-blowing views across vast, unspoilt landscapes. The huts are immaculate, warm, well-stocked & maintained. The amount of work has been huge and continues with improvements like the recent bypassing of the stairs, such a blessing for mountain bikers. This is a genuinely world-class trail, make sure you don't rush through it!!
Chris W — Google review
Amazing hike through magical beech forrest, stunning ridge lines and mountainsides. The hut facilities were above expectations and toilets well maintained and clean (love composting ones!). Well graded trails for walking just be mindful of mountain bikers approaching. Two semi fit 70+ year olds we took enjoyed it! Lots of water along track depending on recent rains. $160 pp for up to 4 nights, bunk rooms vary by hut but everyone very welcoming and shared cooking facilities. Even a trickle shower available. Outdoor sleep outs good option for family or couples but not heated/no cooking - can use main hut facilities!
Kaitlin K — Google review
Superb walk, easy grades, spectacular exposure and great views. Excellent huts with lots of interesting points all through the hike. Great achievement to put this track through pristine country. It's a long walk but as it's built for bikes it's easy going.
Steve W — Google review
Pounamu Pathway - Museum of Kawatiri
3. Pounamu Pathway - Museum of Kawatiri
4.4
(227)
Museum
Specialty Museums
Slide 1 of 8
Fantastic museum to read about the history of the area. Incredibly informative and well presented. The displays were amazing and included a video you could sit and watch. $25 to enter the museum (cheaper for seniors and children) but well worth the money to learn about the history and support the local economy. The gift shop had plenty of souvenirs. I particularly liked the coal figurines and purchased a couple. Wheelchair friendly.
Steph W — Google review
This is a modern museum, that children will be fascinated with as well. We only had 1 hour to spend which wasn’t enough. It is a place you must see when visiting Westport. Well done to everyone who has contributed to its design.
Christine W — Google review
What a great museum! Full of great exhibits and loads of information about the rich mining history on the west coast. There is a mine exhibit you can go into and watch a neat video showing the old mine operations. We spend about an hour here but you could spend a bit longer if you read everything. Adults $10, children under 5 are free. If you are visiting Westport make sure you pop in here and brush up on the history.
Bronson D — Google review
a lot of reading to find our more about the history of mining on the coast. some really interesting machinery on display, but all in all a bit disappointed by lack of exhibits. the video is fascinating and worth a watch. The counter staff were really amazing and helpful however. knowledgeable, friendly and patient. if there was a way to give them an independent five star review I would totally be doing that.
Darryn J — Google review
This is the 2nd Pounamu Pathway I've done. This one pulled together some of the local mines I had visited, so I found the display and information informative and definitely worth the visit. A good insight into the history of the region. Would have been nice to pull more Maori history.
Johnathan M — Google review
Very informative and well presented museum! Well worth the visit. Go to Denniston after the museum. Interesting and amazing views!
Bev B — Google review
We braved the bridge, not for the faint hearted or scared of heights, remembering you've got to get back the same way! There are walking tracks with historical info to do whilst you prepare for your return trip.
Judith J — Google review
Very cool walk in the forest. Great part of history
Crawford M — Google review
Westport isite Visitor Information Centre
4. Westport isite Visitor Information Centre
4.5
(168)
Tourist information center
Visitor Centers
Slide 1 of 8
Great visitor centre with very helpful and knowledgeable staff, highly recommend paying this place a visit.
Em J — Google review
Best i-site in the south island alongside Blenheim's one. Very kind and helpful staff. Thanks heaps for the great recommendations.
Ana G — Google review
Carol, you did great on the radio today. Hope your region sees an increase in visitors because of it. What's Denniston? For real? I imagined it was world famous, as it should be. A fabulous place to visit.
Diane S — Google review
A real asset to this community. Staff know their stuff, with many extra local insights. Well run, a professional team. A MUST if you really want a good in depth expose' of Westport.
Leon D — Google review
The lady was very helpful and stared me in the right direction
Sandi R — Google review
Go visit this museum at the i-site before or after a visit to Denniston plateau. Very good displays and very informative.
Roger M — Google review
I called into the isite to inquire about a map. ( I forgot to pick up one before leaving the Uk) The staff were friendly and very helpful. Decided on the right map and while chatting away just paid for it without thinking!! 39 dollars that is absolutely extortionate. I realize this is no fault of the staff. I have since seen them in a garage for 12 dollars. I just feel it’s so sad that holiday makers get subjected to these extortionate prices!! I only bought a map!! My partner didn’t buy anything!! I took 20$ note of purse and then had to take another one out!! Most definitely!! Paid 39$ for 1 map. I just wished I’d returned to shop to question it!!
Hilary W — Google review
Wow it is a great place. The staff were friendly and helpful; there's heaps of info for tourists; the shop is stocked with lovely clothing and gift items and as for the museum, well it is so worth going to, it's such an interesting, well presented and informative place. Thanks for the experience.
Christine H — Google review
West Coast Brewery
5. West Coast Brewery
4.7
(23)
Permanently Closed
Brewpub
Food & Drink
Slide 1 of 8
Great brewery and great beer (and cider). The chilli cider, and west coast dark lager are brilliant.
Garth H — Google review
Host, beer and recommendations were spot on. Amazing experience and a lovely dog as well it doesn't get better than that! Make sure to come grab a dark lager if you are around.
Jose M — Google review
A brewery with no BEER??? Made a slight detour to fill up riggers with their lovely IPA. Brought the riggers only because we knew we could fill them in Westport. When we arrived, we found they had not only no beer, but no brewmaster??????? Dead man (pub) walking...
Lauren J — Google review
This place was magic the beers were yum and the service was awesome and informative a cold beer and good conversation with locals after riding our motorcycles from Franz Josef was choice
Native 6 — Google review
Great hostess...helping us out with a gorgeous platter so close to lock up time. 👏 Thank you for feeding us tired Heaphy Track trekkers :)
Carmel A — Google review
Awesome locally owned brewery, friendly service and delicious drinks!
Jaimi F — Google review
Great service, very friendly & lots of beers to choose from
Nick M — Google review
Good range of beers and the host was friendly and knowledgable.
John P — Google review
Denniston Coalmining Historic Area
6. Denniston Coalmining Historic Area
4.8
(602)
Historical landmark
Museums
Slide 1 of 8
I was doubting if this place worth the extra hour drive from Westport, and I'm pretty happy I made it here. It showcases the past of a unique coal mining town that was once a close community living in the mountains when the vehicle road wasn't built. The surroundings are beautiful and there are a few tracks to hike. I was the only person during my visit on a cloudy Saturday yet still got to enjoy the view and some quiet time. There are parts from the machineries and scrap metals everywhere in the area and you could still smell coal here.
Paul T — Google review
Long winding drive up the mountainside. the altitude change made my ears pop. Very historical mining site, which was still kn operation in the 1960s. You may well meet someone who actually worked there while ot was still in operation. Fascinating
Steve R — Google review
Fantastic area littered with relics of coal mining days gone by. Surrounded by some great walks and a comprehensive history of the work here... well done to those who have contributed. The drive up is spectacular, but it's very narrow and winding, and very steep. Keep yr speed down, and concentrate on the road. We are in a 7m Mercedes Campervan, no issues driving up.
Ian-Lorraine ( — Google review
this is one of the best place in NZ. incredible view..it's a carpark enough for 4 campers van. Sadly the trees and bush are growing. so probably in a couple of years the view will be gone. DOC should come up and trim the trees now before they get too big.But still there is lot to see. This place has so much to give. If you go to Westport you must go to Deniston. the best sunset ever .
Patricia L — Google review
Very impressive historic area. Informative signs and photos which gave a good feel for conditions on the plateau in the mining days.
Rosemary H — Google review
Beautiful historic setting. You can just drive up yourself, but to get the most out of everything, I 100% recommend going with Mickey from Outwest Tours who will take you all over the area and give you the real stories of the place.
Sarah E — Google review
Worth a visit! Plenty of information signs about the history of the area. Easy tracks to navigate. Spectacular views from up the hill of the surrounding area. It is a free experience. Plenty of parking. Public toilets available. It is also worth travelling further up the road to visit Burnett’s Face. There are more information signs, historic sites, and walks that can be completed.
Steph W — Google review
This was gorgeous! Incredible views, amazing history, stunning vegetation! I wish I had been able to spend more time here. I'd highly recommend reading up on the place before you go, just so that you have a better mental map, although it's still amazing without it! The drive up the Hill had a few challenging spots, but it's fine if you take your time. It's totally worth it!
Nomes L — Google review
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Other notable attractions

Seal Colony Tauranga Bay
Sights & Landmarks
Scenic Walking Areas
Kawatiri Coastal Trail
Hiking area
Outdoor Activities
Best-of categories in Westport
Restaurants
Family restaurants

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Westport throughout the year

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Weather in Westport

Here's the historical average temperature in Westport over a full year based on data compiled by NASA: for more details by month, see the weather in Westport in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, or December
Monthly temperature highs and lows in Westport
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