Westport combines riverside trails with a historic coastal cycling and walking trail. The Kawatiri Coastal Trail leads to Charleston, while the Kawatiri River Trail connects Westport with North Beach. Other highlights include a distinctive clock tower, a community gallery and walking tours exploring the town’s history. You can tailor your stay to your interests in nature, outdoor activities or heritage.
Trails between Westport, the river and the coast
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is a cycling and walking trail with a focus on history, connecting Westport and Charleston in the Buller District. Its PŪWAHA section runs for 5.0 km from Westport to Carters Beach and is entirely graded Grade 2. Check the official trail status before setting out.
The first section of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail starts in Westport near the Kawatiri (or Buller) River. It passes through native forest and wetlands, crosses a long boardwalk and goes by significant Māori archaeological sites. Visitors interested in the landscape and Māori history will find both on this section.
The Kawatiri River Trail runs along the Buller-Kawatiri River and connects Westport with nearby North Beach. One section of this walking and cycling trail is the Millennium Track: it is 1 km long and takes 12 to 15 minutes to walk. In Westport Domain on Menzies Street, easy gravel paths wind through the remnants of a lowland podocarp forest beside the Buller River.
Getting there and finding your way
Westport can be reached via the Great Coast Road, Lewis Pass or State Highway 6. Check current road conditions before setting out. For getting your bearings locally, the trails offer different reference points: the Kawatiri River Trail follows the river towards North Beach, while the coastal trail connects Westport and Charleston.
History and art in Westport
The clock tower of the Municipal Chambers is Westport’s most distinctive landmark and stands on Palmerston Street, the town’s main thoroughfare. The building is privately owned and not open to the public. For a walking tour of the town’s history, Historical Westport provides information about Westport’s history, historic buildings and historic street scenes.
Palm Street Gallery is a community gallery featuring works by local and regional artists. Exhibits include paintings, wood and bone carvings, driftwood sculptures, flax work and pounamu jewellery. As the gallery is run by volunteers, opening hours may vary; check the hours before your visit. The Kawatiri Experience is also located in Westport. Check its current operating status before visiting.
Westport in the wider Buller District destination
The Buller District stretches from Punakaiki in the south to Kahurangi National Park in the north of the West Coast and includes Karamea and Reefton, among other places. The Buller Gorge is also in the Buller District, about a 40-minute drive from Westport. At Hawks Crag, the road passes through the rock face.
Also in the Buller District is the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk. It passes through a limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools. The track is open year-round and suitable for wheelchairs with assistance; check conditions before visiting. These regional destinations are distinct from Westport’s local attractions and offer a separate insight into the Buller District’s varied landscapes.
Discover more destinations: Granity, Maruia, Little Wanganui, Punakaiki, Charleston.
Back to the main travel overview: Buller District.
