A Complete Travel Guide to Westport, New Zealand

5 Best Things to Do in Westport

1. Hike the Cape Foulwind Walkway ❤️ Must Visit

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 at the parking lot of Cape Foulwind, you can go for a walk along the Walkway, which is an easy one-way walking trail that stretches along the coastline for about 3.4 km, starting at Cape Foulwind Lighthouse and ending at the Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay.

In total, it will take you around 2.5 hours to complete the trail from the Lighthouse to the seal colony and back. It is a great walk to do with stunning scenery all around and a great place to spend a few hours before you continue exploring 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?

Budget

Bazils hostel & Surf school

Dorm | $

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👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Carters Beach Bed and Breakfast

King Suite | $$

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High-End

Carters by the Sea Beachside Apartments

Studio | $$$

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2. Admire the Beauty of Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki

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 are taking the Intercity Bus from Westport to Franz Josef, they will stop at Pancake Rocks for you to take photos. So, if you do not have your own car, you can also take the Intercity Bus.

Looking for a complete travel guide to Franz Josef?The Ultimate Backpacking Guide To Franz Josef

3. Learn to Surf

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 often offers surf lessons every day for around 40 USD. They provide you with an instructor and a surfboard, and all you have to do is feel and ride the waves. If you have always wanted to learn how to surf, Westport is a great place to do so.

4. Visit the Coaltown Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

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 city 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 you visit the place if you are curious about the history of Westport. The museum's opening hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays and 10 AM to 4 PM on weekends.

5. Cross the Longest Swingbridge at Buller Gorge ☀️ Great Day Trip

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's opening hours are between 9 AM and 5 PM every day, and it will cost you around 10 NZD to cross. For more information on activities you can do at Buller Gorge, 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, and in order to get there, you will have to make your way to either Christchurch or Auckland, two of the main travel hubs of New Zealand, where most international flights fly in and out of the country.

From the US, there are no direct flights to Auckland or Christchurch, so you will have to rely on transit flights from airlines like Qantas, which often transit in Fiji and take about 19 hours.

From Europe, you can fly from most popular European hubs like London, Paris, or Frankfurt via Lufthansa, Qatar, Emirates, or Singapore Airlines, where you will then have to transit through their headquarters to get to Auckland or Christchurch. The flight will take over 24 hours, so gear up and prepare for a long ride.

From Asia, there are several airlines offering multiple routes from many hub cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Jakarta, Bangkok, and Hong Kong that will fly you directly to Auckland and Christchurch. Cathay Pacific, Air New Zealand, and Singapore Airlines are excellent options for traveling this route, with the fastest flight time being 9 hours.

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 city that you can fly into. Air New Zealand often flies from Auckland to Nelson 4 times a day. The journey should take around 1.5 hours and cost about 65 USD. You can book your flight here.

Once you arrive in Nelson, you can then take the bus to Westport. This route is operated by the Intercity, and they have one bus leaving from the Nelson Intercity Bus Stop at 7:15 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The bus journey from Nelson to Westport will take around 3.5 hours and cost 36 NZD per person. You can book the bus to Westport here.

If you are planning to travel longer in New Zealand via buses, I recommend you get the Flexipass, where you buy hours and can travel any route in the country depending on the bus's duration. It is a great way to hop around the country without having to pay a ton of money.

For more information about Flexipass, please visit the official Intercity Flexipass page here.

Getting from Christchurch to Westport

By Bus: From Christchurch, you can also take the Intercity bus to Westport, but you will have to transit at Greymouth, and the journey can take up to 8 hours and cost 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.

Renting a car in Christchurch will cost you around 25 USD per day, and it will take about 3.5 hours to drive from Christchurch to Westport. To rent a car, click the link below:

Rent a Car in Christchurch

How to Get Around Westport?

By Bike: If you are staying at Bazils Hostel, they will lend you a bike for free, and you can ride around Westport as well as easily visit places that are further away, like Cape Foulwind.

They also have electric bikes now, for a fee, so make sure to check with them before you go out and explore Westport. If you are planning to visit Buller Gorge and Pancake Rocks, you will need something faster.

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.

Rent a Car in Christchurch/Nelson

How Many Days Should I Spend in Westport?

One day is more than enough to see everything in Westport. Here's what your day will look like if you spend a day in Westport:

Day 1: Visit the Coaltown, hike the Cape Foulwind Walkway, visit the Museum, drive to the Pancake Rocks, and come back to visit Buller Gorge. Spend the rest of the day learning how to surf.

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 30 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: If you are planning to learn how to surf here, you can expect to pay around 40 USD, and if you wish to cross the longest swing bridge, you will have to pay around 7.31 USD. In total, you will be paying around 47.31 USD for activities.

Total budget for one day in Westport: 166 NZD (121.31 USD).

Which tourist SIM card is best for New Zealand?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Westport, New Zealand without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Westport, New Zealand:

Don't expect much from New Zealand's WIFI. They are terribly outdated, with some cafes offering free 25 MB and 15 minutes time-limited WIFI to their customers. Yes, really!

For a more reliable internet connection, I would recommend that you get yourself a local SIM card, where you will be able to find a 4G connection in all the major cities around the country now.

Spark is a recommended carrier with the most coverage throughout the country. You can purchase their prepaid sim card "Data Lover" package at the airport in Auckland, which comes in 2 price points: 20 NZD for 1 GB (+1 GB for social) and 40 NZD for 4.5 GB (+1 GB for social), both valid for one month.

With Spark, you can top up your data via stores around the country, or you can simply do it online with your credit card. Very easy and convenient.

For more information about SIM cards in New Zealand, visit: New Zealand's Prepaid Data SIM Card

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.

What to Pack for Westport?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Westport, New Zealand:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for New Zealand? Check out:What to Pack for New Zealand - The Essential Packing List

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Busbud when traveling in Westport, New Zealand while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Backpacking in New Zealand

I've spent 5 weeks backpacking in New Zealand, and I have written a ton more about my journey traveling throughout New Zealand, from the North Island to the South Island, that might help in your trip planning.

Here's a selection of articles about New Zealand:

• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for New Zealand? Check out One Month Itinerary for New Zealand.
• Don't have one month in New Zealand? How about spending 2 weeks visiting all the highlights of New Zealand on the South Island? Check out our 2-Week Itinerary for the South Island, New Zealand.
• Want to visit New Zealand but unsure of what to pack? Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for New Zealand.
• Planning a trip to New Zealand? Here are the 12 Best Places to Visit in New Zealand.
• New Zealand has a special place in my heart. It is one of the most memorable trips I have ever done, and here are 10 things I love about New Zealand.
• If you are planning to travel from North to South in New Zealand, Rotorua is a great place to start your journey from Auckland. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Rotorua.
• Did you know that you can climb Mount Doom from Lord of the Rings in real life? Check out: The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Tongariro Crossing.
• Planning to travel across Cook Strait from Wellington in the North Island to Picton in the South Island? Here's How to Get From Wellington to Picton.
• Nelson is one of the most laid-back and sunny cities in New Zealand, making it a great place to relax and enjoy the abundant sunshine. Here are the 7 Best Things to Do in Nelson.
• Did you know that you can do parts of New Zealand's Great Walks in one day? The Abel Tasman Track offers a wide range of hiking trails to choose from. Here’s The Ultimate One Day Hiking Guide to the Abel Tasman Track.
• Want to go hiking on a glacier in the Glacier Country of New Zealand? Here is the Ultimate Backpacking Guide to Franz Josef.
• Wanaka is a must-visit lakeside town full of incredible nature and wonderful mountains waiting for you to explore. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Wanaka.
• Queenstown is the adventure capital of the world, and whatever extreme activities human bodies can endure, they probably have them in Queenstown. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Queenstown.
• Queenstown is also one of the best places in the world to go skydiving. Here's my experience skydiving with NZONE in Queenstown.
• The Milford Sound is one of the most popular attractions in New Zealand, and it would be a shame to miss it when you are in New Zealand. If you want to visit the Milford Sound, check out: A Day Trip from Te Anau to the Milford Sound.
• One of the best Great Walks in New Zealand is the Routeburn Track, and if you have to pick one Great Walk to do, make it this one. Here’s The Ultimate Hiking Guide to the Routeburn Track.
• Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook are some of the most photogenic places to visit in New Zealand, and it is best to do so together. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Lake Tekapo and Mt Cook.
• Dunedin has so much to offer for nature lovers. From the sight of the world's largest birds to the beautiful cliffs of Tunnel Beach, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Dunedin.
• Not convinced by my words about New Zealand? Come follow me, and I'll show you New Zealand in 70 photos.
• You can see all my New Zealand travel guides and related articles on my New Zealand Travel Guide page.