Westport Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Tauranga Bay Seal Colony which includes general coastal views
For a humble fishing and mining town, Westport does a great job of standing out, although its biggest attractions actually hide under the surface.

Laid out in a neat grid, framed by the Tasman Sea and Buller River, with the Southern Alps in the background, Westport was planned to perfection. Venture underground, in the coal mine, to see how Westport survives. Head to nearby Cape Foulwind to discover what lies beneath the waves. Fur seals, orcas and dolphins are known to visit this rocky coast. Also see what’s hiding in the forests and caves of Kahurangi and Paparoa national parks.

Where to stay in Westport

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Carters Beach

Visitors to Carters Beach enjoy its beaches, and if you want to do some exploring, Carters Beach is worth a stop.

Carters Beach
Westport Spa Motel
Westport Spa Motel
3 out of 5
239 Palmerston Street Street, Westport
The price is AU$141 per night from 19 Nov to 20 Nov
AU$141
includes taxes & fees
19 Nov - 20 Nov
Stay at this 3-star motel in Westport. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (357 reviews)
"We were attended out of hours as we were late ,really appreciated. Room was ok ,we checked out day early.rooms are bit outdated .Shower water pressure was very low. Hand towels were not replaced they were re hung on the rail even though they were dirty .Bed wasn’t made . Probably short staff !"

Reviewed on 21 Sep. 2024

Westport Spa Motel
Buller Court on Palmerston
Buller Court on Palmerston
4.5 out of 5
235 Palmerston Street, Westport
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$139 per night from 10 Nov to 11 Nov
AU$139
includes taxes & fees
10 Nov - 11 Nov
Stay at this 4.5-star motel in Westport. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (216 reviews)
"Had a good stay here. Comfy and clean."

Reviewed on 22 Oct. 2024

Buller Court on Palmerston
Westport Holiday Park And Motels
Westport Holiday Park And Motels
3 out of 5
31-37 Domett St, Westport
The price is AU$103 per night from 19 Nov to 20 Nov
AU$103
includes taxes & fees
19 Nov - 20 Nov
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly holiday park in Westport. Enjoy free parking, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Solid Energy Centre and ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (140 reviews)
"Everything was so nice"

Reviewed on 2 Aug. 2024

Westport Holiday Park And Motels
See all 48 properties in Westport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Beachside, with bike trail access, fibre and chromecast. Big weekly discounts.
Beachside, with bike trail access, fibre and chromecast. Big weekly discounts.
Carters Beach
Book a stay at this golf cottage in Westport. Enjoy free WiFi, a water park, and a garden. Popular attractions NBS Theatre and Miner's Brewery are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (38 reviews)
small but very nice accommodation
"good size room for couple but could do with separation from bedroom/sunroom for privacy for any other adult. Nice modern kitchen and good bathroom. Clean ,tidy and quaint accommodation. Handy having café across the road"

Reviewed on 26 Oct. 2024

Beachside, with bike trail access, fibre and chromecast. Big weekly discounts.
Seaside with sheltered garden, cycle trail access and undercover bike storage.
Seaside with sheltered garden, cycle trail access and undercover bike storage.
Carters Beach
Stay at this cottage in Westport. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and patios. Popular attractions NBS Theatre and Miner's Brewery are located nearby.
8.6/10 Excellent! (20 reviews)
Carter's Beach
"tidy compact unit with everything needed. Very handy and close to Kawatiri Cycleway"

Reviewed on 26 Oct. 2024

Seaside with sheltered garden, cycle trail access and undercover bike storage.
Waterfront Retreat - Westport Self-Contained Unit
Waterfront Retreat - Westport Self-Contained Unit
Westport
Stay at this vacation home in Westport. Enjoy a garden. Popular attractions Solid Energy Centre and Miner's Brewery are located nearby.
10/10 Exceptional! (4 reviews)
mini break
"We were attracted online to this property by its immaculate presentation and when we got there we certainly weren't disappointed. Fresh, comfortable and well appointed this cottage is perfectly located over looking the Orowaiti Lagoon. There is plenty of bird life right in front of you, pied oyster ..."

Reviewed on 6 Jan. 2024

Waterfront Retreat - Westport Self-Contained Unit
See all properties in Westport
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

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NBS Theatre

3.5/5(3 reviews)

You can enjoy a show at NBS Theatre on your trip to Westport. Wander the gardens and seaside in this relaxing area.

NBS Theatre
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Coaltown Museum

4.5/5(13 reviews)

You can enjoy some culture when you stop by Coaltown Museum in Westport. Wander the gardens and seaside in this relaxing area.

Coaltown Museum
Image for Solid Energy Centre

Solid Energy Centre

5/5(1 review)

Catch an event at Solid Energy Centre during your trip to Westport. Wander the gardens and seaside in this relaxing area.

Solid Energy Centre

Reviews of Westport

4.1
Top destination
5 - Excellent
15
" "5 - Excellent 25%
4 - Good
36
" "4 - Good 60%
3 - Okay
9
" "3 - Okay 15%
2 - Disappointing
0
" "2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

There could be more open on the weekend. Had to go to Reefton for breakfast on way out of town. I would have thought that cafes would have been open in Westport but the place was shuttered. not a good look on a holiday weekend with all motels full.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

very friendly residents, lots of easy to find public loos, lovely tidy town, would like to live there

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

It was a nice town.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

The Copper Pot restaurant in Palmerston St was brilliant. Breakfast options were limited and I struggled to find anything aside from a full cooked breakfast with a the meat (I’m vegetarian). I ended up with a perfectly good coffee and toast w jam.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Close to so many great destinations and attractions on the West Coast including Old Ghost Road (great hike!), Karamea caves and bush walks, Denniston visit was very special.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Seemed more alive then some news articles suggested. Lot of colour