WELCOME TO WESTPORT
Real Coast. Real People. Real Good.
Raw coastlines, rich stories, and real community.
Wild by nature, and proud of it.
Westport is a small coastal town on New Zealand’s West Coast, set at the mouth of the Buller River.
Known for its rich heritage and rugged surroundings, it offers a unique blend of history, community, and natural beauty. With mountain ranges, beaches, and rivers close at hand, Westport is easy to explore and gives visitors an authentic sense of life on the West Coast.
About
Westport is a vibrant coastal town covering about 11.5 km² with a population of around 4,300+
Travel Information
Events
Find inspiration, discover what to see and do around Westport and the wider buller region.
EXPLORE
Our little slice of paradise
Punakaiki to Charleston
Punakaiki is the gateway to the dramatic limestone country and glow worm caves of the Paparoa National Park. Charleston has a rich mining history, beautiful walks, and river swimming and fishing. Both are connected by a spectacular coastal highway.
Westport to Cape Foulwind
Westport is the Northern West Coast regions largest town and offers a range of services you’d expect from a larger centre. Cape Foulwind is a popular place to spend time enjoying the sea, the seals and exploring the coastline.
Denniston to Karamea
As well as its incredible coal mining history, Denniston offers a complete range of walking tracks and interpretation of the engineering feats and hardships endured in the extraction of coal. Karamea has a relaxed ‘off the beaten track’ feel. The area is a natural wonderland, with the beginning or end of the famous Heaphy & Wangapeka tracks.
Buller Gorge to Reefton
Reefton is Buller’s only inland town and is a curious mix of old and new. Its gold and coal mining heritage is still evident in many of the historic buildings. Reefton also features world class trout fishing, 4WD tracks, walking and mountain biking trails.
Getting to Westport is a journey through some of New Zealand’s most scenic landscapes.
Whether you arrive via Arthur’s or Lewis Pass, and the rugged Buller Gorge. Through glacier country and onto the world‑renowned Coast Road, each route offers its own mix of forests, rivers, and dramatic vistas. No matter which way you come, the drive is part of the adventure.
From the blog
Latest News
New and noteworthy. What’s been going on around Westport.
A New Era for Big Game Fishing in Westport
Buller Bluewater Classic Westport is gearing up for something big, and not just the fish. After a summer that saw marlin, swordfish, and monster...