Westport may not be on many travelers' lists of destinations to visit in New Zealand, but it is a great place to start your journey along the Great Coast Road, one of the top 10 best coastline roads in the world according to the Lonely Planet.
The Great Coast Road stretches for about 100 km between Westport and Greymouth along the western coastline of New Zealand's South Island. Westport sits at the northern end, making it a great place to spend a night or two before you begin your journey south.
Within this guide, you will find all the cool things you can do in Westport that will keep you occupied while you get ready to explore the Great Coast Road. Without further ado, let's take a look at all the things you can do here on a map.
Westport Things to Do Itinerary Map
Quick Summary
| ♥️ Must Visit: | Cape Foulwind |
|---|---|
| 🏛️ Best Museum: | Coaltown Museum |
| ☀️ Great Day Trip: | Buller Gorge |
| 🛌 Place to Stay: | Carters Beach Bed and Breakfast |
5 Best Things to Do in Westport
1. Hike the Cape Foulwind Walkway
- 📍 Location: Cape Foulwind [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "Be careful of the wind. I mean, they didn't call it Cape Foulwind for nothing!"
One of my favorite places in Westport is Cape Foulwind and the walkway that hugs along the coastline, taking you to see some really stunning cliffs, a lighthouse, and a seal colony.
Cape Foulwind is approximately 12 km away from Westport town, and you can reach it by bike in about 30 - 45 minutes, depending on the strength of the wind. Trust me, you will understand why it's called Cape Foulwind the moment you arrive at the cape.
Once you arrive, you can walk the Cape Foulwind Walkway between the lighthouse and the seal colony at Tauranga Bay. DOC currently lists the Tauranga Bay car park to Cape Foulwind lighthouse route as 5.8 km return / about 2 hours. If you only want to see the seal colony, the short walk from Tauranga Bay car park is about 1 km return / 30 minutes.
- Bazils hostel & Surf school (Budget)
- Carters Beach Bed and Breakfast (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- Carters by the Sea Beachside Apartments (High-End)
- Cruise Milford NZ Small Boutique Cruise Experience (1 hour 45 minutes) 🏅 Top Pick
- Milford Sound Scenic Fly-Cruise-Fly departing Queenstown (4 hours 30 minutes)
- Milford Sound Coach & Cruise tour from Queenstown (12 hours)
Allow around 2 hours for the full return walk between Tauranga Bay and the lighthouse, or longer if you stop frequently for photos and wildlife. It is a great walk with stunning scenery all around and one of the best places to spend a few hours around Westport.
Be very careful when you walk near a cliff at Cape Foulwind, as the wind can literally knock you off your feet. They don't call it Cape Foulwind for nothing, right? Wearing a windbreaker and some layers is recommended, as it can also get quite cold at the cape.
Where to Stay in Westport?
2. Admire the Beauty of Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki
- 📍 Location: Pancake Rocks [Map Link]
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "A nice stop as you drive along the Great Coast Road from Westport to Franz Josef."
If you drive down the Great Coast Road, one of the stops that you shouldn't miss is Punakaiki, a town located just south of Westport. It is home to the beautiful rock formation known as the Pancake Rocks.
These pancake-shaped rocks were formed millions of years ago when the limestone was lifted up above the sea due to seismic action. Water, wind, and salt spray heavily eroded the layers over time, leaving pancake-like stacks we see here today.
If you do not have a car, InterCity still serves Westport, Punakaiki, Greymouth, and Franz Josef along the West Coast. Check the current itinerary for your travel date to see whether the service gives you enough time at Punakaiki rather than relying on the old sightseeing-stop schedule.
The Pancake Rocks and Blowholes walk itself remains free, but DOC now charges for the Punakaiki car park: 2.50 NZD per 30 minutes or 20 NZD for the day. From September 2026, the first 10 minutes are free for drop-offs and pick-ups. The loop is about 1.1 km / 20 minutes, although you will probably want longer for photos, especially around high tide when the blowholes are at their best.
3. Learn to Surf
- 📍 Location: Bazil's Hostel & Surf School [Map Link]
- 💰 Surf Lesson: From 90 NZD per person
- ⚡ Pete's Take: "This is one of the prime places to surf here, and you can learn it at Bazil's Hostel."
One of the best things about Westport is the abundance of beaches here, and if you are looking to do something you have never done before, you can learn how to surf here with the great instructors from Bazil's Hostel.
Bazils Hostel still runs its accredited surf school. Lessons currently start from 90 NZD per person and include an instructor, surfboard, wetsuit, and transport to and from the beach. Surfboard and wetsuit hire is also available from 45 NZD per day.
4. Visit the Coaltown Museum
Photos by Mike Dickison
- 📍 Location: Coaltown Museum [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 9 AM - 4 PM weekdays
- 💰 Entry Fee: 41 NZD
Westport is an old town that was built as a center point for coal extraction, where the coal is efficiently extracted from the mines in the surrounding mineral-rich areas, transported, and sent out to the world from the main port in Westport.
The town has quite an interesting history to tell, and there is no better place to learn more about it than at the Coaltown Museum in the town center. I highly recommend visiting if you are curious about Westport's coal-mining and port history. Opening hours are 9 AM - 4 PM on the week days, 10 AM to 2 PM on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays.
5. Cross the Longest Swingbridge at Buller Gorge
- 📍 Location: Buller Gorge [Map Link]
- 🕐 Opening Hours: 9 AM - 5 PM
- 💰 Entry Fees: 12.50 NZD adult / 5 NZD child
Buller Gorge is a beautiful gorge located just south of Westport where the Buller River runs through the deep canyon between Murchison and Westport. There is a road that hugs along the deep canyon, and it is a wonderful place to drive around and check out the beautiful scenery around the canyon.
Buller Gorge is also home to the longest swingbridge in New Zealand, measuring 110 m in length. There are also several other adventurous activities you can enjoy in Westport, such as zip-lining, jetboat rides, and walks.
Buller Gorge Swingbridge is currently open from 9 AM to 5 PM daily except Christmas Day. The swingbridge crossing and walks cost 12.50 NZD per adult and 5 NZD per child, with no advance booking required. Other activities such as the Comet Line and jet boat cost extra. For more information, visit the Buller Gorge official website.
When to Visit Westport?
The best time to visit Westport is in the summer months, beginning from November to March, when the weather is warmer. This allows you to enjoy the outdoors more, which is essential for a country as beautiful as New Zealand.
It will also get quite touristy, so if you want to avoid the crowds, I would recommend you visit the shoulder season instead, which is from September to November and March to May.
You will see considerably fewer travelers during this time, while most accommodations will offer discounted prices, making your trip way more cost-effective than if you visit during the summer.
How to Get to Westport?
Westport is located on the West Coast of the South Island. Most international travelers will first fly into a major New Zealand gateway such as Auckland or Christchurch, then continue overland or via a domestic flight.
From the US: There are nonstop flights from several US gateways to Auckland, so the old advice that every trip requires a connection is no longer correct.
From Europe: There are no nonstop flights from Europe to New Zealand. You will normally connect through Asia, the Middle East, North America, or Australia.
From Asia: Auckland has direct connections with several major Asian hubs, while Christchurch also has international connections from selected hubs. Routes vary by season, so compare the current schedules from your departure city.
To find a cheap flight to New Zealand, I would recommend that you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.
Getting from Auckland to Westport
By Air and Bus: Nelson is the closest major airport with useful scheduled connections for this route. Air New Zealand currently operates up to 9 nonstop Auckland-Nelson flights per day, with a flight time of about 1 hour 25 minutes. You can compare flights here.
Once you arrive in Nelson, you can then take the bus to Westport. This route is operated by the Intercity, and they had one bus leaving from the Nelson Intercity Bus Stop at 7:15 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, when I was there, but the schedule varies, so be sure to check while you are there.
The main Westport stop is outside the Westport i-SITE at 123 Palmerston Street. You can check the current timetable and fare here.
If you are planning to travel longer in New Zealand by bus, InterCity's FlexiPass still lets you buy travel time in hours and use it across the network. As of 2026, passes start from 199 NZD for 15 hours. Compare the pass price with individual fares for your itinerary before buying.
For more information about Flexipass, please visit the official Intercity Flexipass page here.
Getting from Christchurch to Westport
By Public Transport: From Christchurch, one useful option is to travel to Greymouth and connect with InterCity's West Coast service to Westport. InterCity also sells connections using the scenic TranzAlpine train between Christchurch and Greymouth. Timetables and fares vary, but then I was there, it took 8 hours and costs 195 NZD.
By Car: If you are looking for a more comfortable journey to Westport, you can also rent a car from Christchurch Airport and drive to Westport yourself. That way, you can explore the Great Coast Road at your own leisure.
The drive from Christchurch to Westport takes roughly 4 to 4.5 hours in normal conditions. Rental-car prices vary substantially by season and vehicle, so be sure to compare the prices here.
How to Get Around Westport?
By Bike: Westport has become much better for exploring by bike thanks to the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, a 40 km walking and cycling trail connecting Westport with Carters Beach, Cape Foulwind, Tauranga Bay, and Charleston. All eight sections are currently open, mostly Grade 2 with a few short Grade 3 sections.
Bazils Hostel currently advertises bicycle and e-bike hire, so check its latest rates and availability. For Buller Gorge and Punakaiki, a car or scheduled coach is still more practical.
By Car: One of the reasons why many travelers visit Westport is to start their journey along the Great Coast Road, and you will need your own car to do that. So, I recommend you rent a car from either Christchurch or Nelson and drive to Westport. Then, you can explore the surrounding area easier. Click the link below to rent a car from Christchurch/Nelson.
How Many Days Should I Spend in Westport?
You can see Westport's main highlights in one full day, but I would allow 2 nights if you also want to surf and make side trips to Punakaiki and Buller Gorge without rushing.
Day 1: Explore Westport and Coaltown Museum, then head to Cape Foulwind for the coastal walk and seal colony. If you want to surf, leave a few hours for a lesson at Bazil's.
Day 2 or onward: Continue south along the Great Coast Road to Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks. Buller Gorge lies inland toward Murchison, so it makes more sense as a separate side trip or as part of your route to/from Nelson rather than trying to squeeze it into the same day as Punakaiki.
How Much Does It Cost To Travel to Westport?
Since we will be spending only 2 nights in Westport, we can calculate how much you will be spending in Westport for one day as follows:
Accommodation: For 2 nights in Westport, you will be spending around 44+ USD on accommodations.
Food: An average meal in Westport costs around 10 USD, so you will be spending around 40 USD on food.
Transportation: You can borrow a bike for free at Bazils Hostel if you are a guest there, so you will spend 0 USD on transportation.
Activities: Bazil's surf lessons currently start from 90 NZD. The Buller Gorge Swingbridge costs 12.50 NZD per adult. Cape Foulwind and the Pancake Rocks walk are free, although Punakaiki now charges 2.50 NZD per 30 minutes for parking if you arrive by car.
Total budget for one day in Westport: 300+ NZD.
Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?
Mobile data is widely available around New Zealand, although coverage can become patchy in remote parts of the West Coast. The main mobile networks include Spark, One NZ, and 2degrees.
Spark offers visitor Travel Packs, with current options starting from 15 NZD for data-only or 29 NZD for a Travel SIM with data, calls, and texts. Compatible phones can also use eSIM.
Skinny is another budget option using Spark's network, with a current 24 NZD / 28-day travel plan including 2 GB. Compare the latest plans for your trip length and data needs rather than relying on the discontinued Spark "Data Lover" packages previously listed here.
Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.
Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy.
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2 Comments
I really had a great time reading this post. Love the fact that you tried to do the most of everything with the thought of "i'm not here often" and survived thru all the obstacles! anddd I love that you explored all the places that not most tourist go to. I went to NZ in 2015 and I can regretfully say that I never hear of Cape Foulwind and looking at your photos, this place is incredible!! Such a special gem
Thank you for the comment, Farah. Yes, people were confused as to why I went to Westport but it was on the way and I'm glad I did. I got to see a different perspective of New Zealand that is not just Queenstown and Auckland, and because of that, my New Zealand is still one of the most memorable trips I made in my life. :)