The Top Places to Visit Near Westport
There’s much to explore at the top of the West Coast where Westport is your closest and largest town. Discover its historic mining areas taken over by nature, ride iconic mountain bike trails, and visit various caves and arches in the Kahurangi National Park. Plan your ideal road trip with this guide to day trips from Westport.
For more trip-planning success, check out The Complete Guide to Westport.
Table of Contents
The Top 3 Best Day Tours From Westport
To explore the surrounding Westport area without your vehicle, jump on one of the local tours for a day tour from Westport.
- Denniston Tour with Outwest Tours
- Surf lessons with Bazil’s Surf School
- Bike hire and shuttle to The Old Ghost Road, Charming Creek, etc. with Habitat Sports.
© NZPocketGuide.comDenniston
The Best Day Trip from Westport for Families
Travel time by car: 30 minutes one-way
What was once the leading coal mine of the West Coast is now preserved as a historic area to explore. Take on some of the short walks passing mining relics and railways, while also enjoying some of the most magnificent coastal and mountain views on the West Coast.
Learn more about the Denniston Plateau on the Department of Conservation website.
© NZPocketGuide.comPunakaiki
The Best Day Trip from Westport for Families, Couples and Budget Travellers
Travel time by car: 50 minutes one-way
After a scenic drive along the Great Coast Road, you’ll reach the tiny coastal settlement of Punakaiki. Aside from admiring the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, there’s the Punakaiki Cavern to explore, horse trekking on the beach, kayaking up the Porarari River and more.
Check out the 9 Awesome Things to Do in Punakaiki to add more activities to your day trip from Westport.
© westcoast.co.nzKaramea
The Best Day Trip from Westport for Budget Travellers
Travel time by car: 1h30mins one-way
Get well and truly off the beaten track by venturing to the northernmost town on the West Coast, Karamea. Explore amazing limestone caves and arches at the Oparara Arches, as well as the Honeyhill Caves. You can also enjoy the ruggedly beautiful Scotts Beach and watch the estuary birds from the Karamea Riverbank Walkway.
Take a look at the 7 Amazing Things to Do in Karamea for more day trip activities.
© www.nelsontasman.nzMurchison
The Best Day Trip from Westport for Luxury Travellers
Travel time by car: 1h20mins one-way
Getting to Murchison is the main part of what makes it great, as you venture through the Buller Gorge with its dramatic river and mountain scenery. Stop by the Buller Gorge Swingbridge for a zipline and jet boat ride or head all the way to Murchison for super scenic white water rafting.
For more ideas on what to do, check out the 10 Super Things to Do in Murchison.
© NZPocketGuide.comSeddonville
The Best Day Trip from Westport for Couples and Luxury Travellers
Travel time by car: 40 minutes one-way
Mountain bikers (or hikers, for that matter) have a couple of awesome rides close to Seddonville. The Old Ghost Road, which traverses forest, tussock tops, river valleys and more, might be a multi-day ride but parts can be done in a day. Alternatively, the Charming Creek Walkway is a half-day excursion following old mining tunnels and tramways along a rugged river gorge.
More About Westport Day Trips
Sources:
The information in this guide has been compiled from our extensive research, travel and experiences across New Zealand and the South Pacific, accumulated over more than a decade of numerous visits to each destination. Additional sources for this guide include the following:
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (Road and transport tips - Updated [2025])
- DriveSafe (Road safety - Updated [2025])
- Tourism New Zealand (General travel advice - Updated [2025])
- Department of Conservation (Tracks, hikes, campsites and more - Updated [2025])
- AdventureSmart (Know before you go - Update [2025])
- Tiaki Promise (Care for people place and culture - Updated [2025])
- Council websites and freedom camping maps (Local travel advice region by region - Updated [2025])
- Tourism Export Council New Zealand (Tourism trade association - Updated [2025])
- TIA (Independent tourism association - Updated [2025])
- NZ Māori Tourism (Official Māori Tourism platform - Updated [2025])
- Immigration New Zealand (Visa and immigration advice - Updated [2025])
Our editorial standards: At NZ Pocket Guide, we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure accurate and quality content.
