The Best Day Trips from Westport© Sven Martin - Tourism New Zealand
The Best Day Trips from Westport

The Best Day Trips from Westport

© Sven Martin – Tourism New Zealand

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.

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.

The Best Day Trips from Westport© NZPocketGuide.com

Denniston

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.

The Best Day Trips from Westport© NZPocketGuide.com

Punakaiki

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.

The Best Day Trips from Westport© westcoast.co.nz

Karamea

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.

The Best Day Trips from Westport© www.nelsontasman.nz

Murchison

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.

The Best Day Trips from Westport© NZPocketGuide.com

Seddonville

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.

Author

Laura S.

This article was reviewed and published by Laura, editor in chief and co-founder of NZ Pocket Guide. Since arriving solo in New Zealand over 10 years ago and with a background in journalism, her mission has been to show the world how easy (and awesome) it is to travel New Zealand. She knows Aotearoa inside-out and loves sharing tips on how best to experience New Zealand’s must-dos and hidden gems. Laura is also editor of several other South Pacific travel guides and is the co-host of NZ Pocket Guide’s live New Zealand travel Q&As on YouTube.

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