Westport: Coastal Trails, River Paths and History

Westport brings together routes along the coast and river with a strong historical theme. The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is a cycling and walking route between Westport and Charleston; in town, the clock tower of the Municipal Chambers stands out on Palmerston Street, the main thoroughfare. Active trails and history sit side by side. When planning your trip, consider whether you want to discover Westport mainly for its trail sections or its historical sights.

Cycling and Walking Trails in Westport

The Kawatiri Coastal Trail connects Westport and Charleston and has a historical focus. Its first section begins near the Kawatiri or Buller River and passes through native forest and wetlands. A long boardwalk is also part of the trail. Along the way, the section passes significant Māori archaeological sites. Nature, the route and history come together in one experience here.

The PŪWAHA section runs for 5.0 kilometres from Westport to Carters Beach and is rated Grade 2 throughout. Check the official trail status before setting out. The Kawatiri River Trail offers another option: this walking and cycling trail follows the Buller-Kawatiri River and connects Westport with nearby North Beach. The Millenium Track is one section of it; it is 1 kilometre long and takes 12 to 15 minutes to walk. This lets you compare two routes of different lengths without inferring a walking time for the longer PŪWAHA section.

River Landscapes and Easy Trails

Westport Domain is on Menzies Street. Its easy gravel paths pass through remnants of lowland podocarp forest along the Buller River. The landscape here differs from the sections of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail that pass through native forest and wetlands. If trail length is a factor in choosing your activities, the 1-kilometre-long Millenium Track is also an option with a stated walking time.

Historical Sights and Art

The clock tower of the Municipal Chambers is considered Westport’s most distinctive landmark and stands out on Palmerston Street. The Chambers are privately owned and are not open to the public. Historical Westport offers a walking tour for information about Westport’s history, historic buildings and streetscapes.

Palm Street Gallery is a community gallery featuring works by local and regional artists. Exhibits include paintings, wood and bone carvings, driftwood sculptures, flax works and pounamu jewellery. As the gallery is run by volunteers, opening hours may vary; check them before planning a visit. The Kawatiri experience focuses on Kawatiri’s history, as well as its past, present and future. Check whether the experience is currently available before visiting.

Getting There and Choosing Your Focus

Westport can be reached via Great Coast Road, Lewis Pass or State Highway 6. When choosing accommodation in Westport, you can first consider what you want to shape your stay: cycling and walking trails such as the Kawatiri Coastal Trail and Kawatiri River Trail, or the historical themes of the walking tour and gallery. This way, you can tailor your search to the experiences that interest you in Westport without assuming that any particular accommodation has specific amenities.

Westport in the Wider Buller District Destination

The Buller District 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. In the Buller District, the Kawatiri Coastal Trail is a 50-kilometre, family-friendly cycling route; this regional context complements the specific information about its sections in Westport. Also in the Buller District, an easy, family-friendly 1.1-kilometre trail leads through beech and podocarp forests to Ōpārara Arch; the walk takes about 30 minutes.

Other regional highlights include the limestone landscape along the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk, with its pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools. The trail is accessible year-round and suitable for wheelchairs with assistance; check conditions before visiting. New Zealand fur seals, also known as kekeno, live at Cape Foulwind year-round. Information panels along the Cape Foulwind Walkway tell stories of Māori history, seafaring and early explorers. The Buller Gorge is about a 40-minute drive from Westport; at Hawks Crag, the road passes through the rock face.

Discover more destinations: Charleston, Granity, Punakaiki, Little Wanganui, Maruia.

Return to the wider travel guide: Buller District.