The Buller District brings together coastal limestone formations and surf, forests and high plateaus along its trails, and places shaped by a significant mining history. The area stretches from Punakaiki in the south to Kahurangi National Park at the northern tip of the West Coast, and includes Karamea and Reefton, among other places. When planning your trip, it is worth treating short walks, longer routes and historical discoveries as distinct experiences.
Coast, limestone and distinctive habitats
The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk passes through a limestone landscape featuring pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools. The track is open year-round and suitable for wheelchairs with assistance. Check current conditions before your visit.
A year-round colony of New Zealand fur seals, also known as kekeno, lives at Cape Foulwind. Information panels along the Cape Foulwind Walkway tell stories of Māori history, sea voyages and early explorers. Here, wildlife watching and regional history come together in one place.
The Ōparara Basin is a protected area for the spotted kiwi. Its habitats are also home to rare short-tailed bats, giant snails, cave spiders and whio, the blue ducks. At Ōpārara Arch, an easy, family-friendly track passes through beech and podocarp forests: it is 1.1 kilometres long and takes about 30 minutes. This makes it a clear contrast to the district’s extensive routes.
Walking and cycling trails on different scales
The Heaphy Track crosses vast tussock-covered high plateaus, passes through lush forests and stands of nīkau palms, and leads to the West Coast. There are six huts and nine campsites along the track; they must be booked well in advance year-round. Mountain bikes are permitted on the Heaphy Track from 1 May to 30 November. If you are planning a cycle trip, take note of this seasonal window and check current updates before setting off.
The Old Ghost Road also connects several kinds of landscape: the route passes through pristine forest, open tussock-covered high plateaus, river flats and forgotten valleys in the Buller District. It is a walking and mountain biking trail. Bookings are required for the Lyell Saddle, Ghost Lake, Stern Valley and Specimen Point huts, which are managed by the Mokihinui Lyell Backcountry Trust. The route and its huts make this a different kind of outing from the short walk to Ōpārara Arch.
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is a 50-kilometre, family-friendly cycling route. If you are weighing up shorter and longer distances, it offers a very different scale from the 1.1-kilometre walk to Ōpārara Arch. The Heaphy Track and The Old Ghost Road, meanwhile, focus on walking and mountain biking over extensive routes.
Mining history and experiences in the area
In Reefton, the School of Mines and the Oddfellows Hall have particular historical significance. The first installation of electric lighting in a public building in New Zealand took place at Oddfellows Hall. The Denniston Historic Area includes the heart of the original mine operations and the mining activity that followed in the Buller District. The Kawatiri Experience Centre and Pounamu Pathway showcase the history of coal mining and the region’s Māori heritage.
You can also discover the Buller Gorge through specific experiences. From Westport, the valley is about a 40-minute drive away; at Hawks Crag, the road passes through the rock face. Fishing and whitebait fishing are among the activities available there. There is a Cometline ride at Buller Swing Bridge; check the latest information before your visit.
In Charleston, Underworld Adventures offers an experience featuring glow-worm displays. Check availability before your trip. The Westport Whitebait Festival celebrates the town’s whitebait catches; it takes place in October. If you plan to attend, check the dates for the current edition.
Discover more destinations: Westport, Punakaiki, Charleston, Maruia, Granity, Little Wanganui, Grey District, Greymouth.
For the broader travel overview: West Coast.
