Westport, gateway to the Coast

As gateway for the northern West Coast of the South Island, Westport offers an abundance of opportunity for exploration and adventure.

Start with visiting the world famous Coaltown Museum and immerse yourself in local and national history.


Then follow the Heritage Trail, take a day or a week to visit the places where history was made.

The Denniston Incline, the Granity cokes ovens, the famous Stockton aerial ropeway or follow the historic Charming Creek railway track on foot.

Let a 1.5 hour beach walk lead you to the Orowaiti Estuary for some bird watching or visit the Seal Colony at Tauranga Bay.

Spend a day in the limestone wonderland of the Oparara Basin - where the giant Powelliphanta snail still roams and the large carnivorous Spalangula spider can be seen from close range in its natural cave habitat.
Natural bridges are easily reached after a short walk through the splendor of the West Coast rain forest.


Visit Punakaiki, its Pancake Rocks, and venture into Paparoa National Park on foot or paddle up the Pororari River to appreciate nature at its best in the narrow limestone gorge.




Do not forget to pay a visit to Mitchells Gully historic gold mine on the
way.

For the more adventurous there is jet boating, whitewater rafting, caving, deep-sea fishing, mountain biking, land sailing and horse trekking commercially available.

State Highway 6 on the West Coast of the South Island has been recognised by the Lonely Planet Blue List as one of the ten best road trips in the world. Come to our coast and experience the magnificence of it all for yourself.

A visit to the northern West Coast is truly educational with a largely untouched environment that is yet to be discovered by the tourist masses.

Havenlee HomeStay in Westport offers accommodation at reasonable rates.