West Coast
SEDDONVILLE Karamea
CHARMING CREEK WALKWAY Bring your boots, bikes and dogs to enjoy this 5.5km walking track and Grade 3 bike trail. Venture past mining sites to a viewpoint over Mangatini Falls. Allow two hours each way (walking).
SEDDONVILLE
ghost towns speckle the 85kmlong road, connecting Lyell to Mōkihinui. The latter sits just 5km from Seddonville.
Westport
OLD GHOST ROAD This once forgotten gold miners’ route has been given a new lease of life as a four to five-day tramping trail and Grade 4 mountain bike track. Four forgotten
Westport Coaltown Museum Westport is famed for its coal mining past and port that shipped it worldwide. Making history fun, the museum has mine exhibits, videos and hands-on displays. Learn all about life underground and take a 50-cent coin to run the sand pump.
HECTOR BEACH 14km from Seddonville and just 650m from Charming Creek Walkway. Not surprisingly, it’s frequently visited by dumpling-sized Hector’s dolphins. OLD GHOST ULTRA Kicking off 19 February 2022, the 85km Old Ghost Road can also be
CHARLESTON
Whitebait Festival The Labour Weekend festivities include family friendly events, live music, food and entertainment. Partake in cooking demonstrations and eat like a king.
run! Undoubtedly one of the most remote, arduous backcountry marathons in the country. NGĀKAWAU AND GRANITY These two wonderfully remote townships sit 15-20 minutes south-west of Seddonville. No resorts, bus tours or throngs of tourists in sight. LEFT: Cycling the Old Ghost Road © Phil Rossiter
PUNAKAIKI
Carters Beach CHARLESTON
Cape Foulwind Walkway Spend just over one hour (one way 3.4km) negotiating the coastal bluffs, spotting a fur seal/kekeno breeding colony and handsome Cape Foulwind lighthouse.
Just 6km from central Westport, this coastal suburb is a great place for walking, bike riding, swimming, fishing and kite flying. There is a great beach, park, playground and nearby golf.
Kawatiri Coastal Trail A
PUNAKAIKI
Jewels and Gold Try your hand at
gold panning or head to the coast and try your luck fossicking for semiprecious stones along wild, West Coast beaches.
Grade 2 cycling and walking trail with well-kept boardwalks and bridges. connecting Westport with Charleston over 55km. The stretch between Buller River Bridge (just outside Westport) provides
Reefton
TOP TIP: Bazil’s hostel in
Westport also run Bazil’s Surf School – Surfing New Zealand Accredited, as well as daily paddleboarding trips.
Greymouth
Reefton
a picturesque and safe route to Kawatiri Beach Reserve.
Kawatiri River Trail An 8km family-friendly walking and cycle trail running alongside the BullerKawatiri River between Buller and nearby North Beach. Packed with flora and fauna.
Greymouth
BULLER DISTRICT
Beach in Westport © Adobe Stock
40
ULLER
Surf Seasoned surfers enjoy Tauranga Bay and Carters Beach, the latter is just five minutes from town. Wannabes can book lessons at two Westport surf schools or summer classes at Tauranga Bay. ABOVE: Charming Creek, Westport © Miles Holden
Charming Creek Walkway. A 25-minute drive north, discover beautiful forest scenery and waterfalls while negotiating disused train tunnels along this former rail track. Three hours, 9.5km return PAGE 7 - REGIONAL MAP
