Westport

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.

Explore Westport

Cape Foulwind

It was a wary Captain Cook that gave this unfortunate name to a beautiful place, one he couldn’t quite reach due to offshore winds.

Tauranga Bay Seal Colony

Ocean waves lap on the rocky shores of this beautiful bay where you can see multitudes of New Zealand fur seals basking in the sun.

Where to stay in Westport

Westport Motels

32 The Esplanade

Rated 4.0 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Coaltown Museum and Miner's Brewery. Solid Energy Centre is 1.6 mi (2.5 km) away.

Buller Bridge Motel

32a The Esplanade

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the airport, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Coaltown Museum and Miner's Brewery. Solid Energy Centre is 1.6 mi (2.5 km) away.

Bella Vista Motel Westport

314 Palmerston Street

Rated 4.3 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a rural location, this eco-friendly motel is 0.6 mi (0.9 km) from Coaltown Museum and 4.8 mi (7.7 km) from Carters Beach. Denniston Experience is 16.3 mi (26.3 km) away.

Birds Ferry Lodge Luxury Accommodation

Birds Ferry Road

Rated 4.8 / 5 by Guests

Situated on a lake, this eco-friendly bed & breakfast is 4.9 mi (7.9 km) from Paparoa National Park and within 12 mi (20 km) of Underworld Adventures and Coaltown Museum. Miner's Brewery and Cape Foulwind Seal Colony are also within 20 mi (32 km).

Bazil's Hostel & Surf School

54-56 Russell St

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Situated near the beach, this hostel is within 1 mi (2 km) of Miner's Brewery, Solid Energy Centre, and Coaltown Museum. Carters Beach and Cape Foulwind Lighthouse are also within 9 mi (15 km).

Westport Motor Hotel

207 Palmerston St

Rated 3.8 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Westport, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Miner's Brewery and Coaltown Museum. Solid Energy Centre is 1.3 mi (2 km) away.

Westport Holiday Park And Motels

31-37 Domett St

Rated 3.9 / 5 by Guests

This family-friendly Westport campground is within a 15-minute walk of Solid Energy Centre and Miner's Brewery. Coaltown Museum is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) away.

Ascot Motor Lodge

74 Romilly Street

Rated 4.1 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Westport, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Miner's Brewery and Solid Energy Centre. Coaltown Museum is 1.1 mi (1.7 km) away.

ASURE Chelsea Gateway Motor Lodge

330 Palmerston Street

Rated 4.4 / 5 by Guests

Situated in a rural location, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Coaltown Museum and Miner's Brewery. Solid Energy Centre is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) away.

Buller Court on Palmerston

235 Palmerston Street

Rated 4.5 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Westport, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Coaltown Museum and Miner's Brewery. Solid Energy Centre is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) away.

Westport Spa Motel

239 Palmerston Street Street

Rated 4.6 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Westport, this motel is within a 15-minute walk of Coaltown Museum and Miner's Brewery. Solid Energy Centre is 1.4 mi (2.3 km) away.

Archer House B&B

75 Queen Street

Rated 4.9 / 5 by Guests

Situated in Westport, this luxury guesthouse is within a 15-minute walk of Miner's Brewery and Coaltown Museum. Solid Energy Centre is 0.9 mi (1.5 km) away.

See all Hotels in Westport

Wotif's insider tips for Westport

Travel Time:

1 - 2 hours

Recommended Stay:

A half day or so

This is rugged shoreline at its best. Cape Foulwind even on a sunny day can show how the wind and waves create huge sprays along the shore. (Imagine trying to boat in this!) The "pancake rocks" at Punakaiki in Paparoa National Park look like tall skinny stacks of pancakes, but they're 30-million-year-old layers of limestone. Neat blowholes here too.

Nancy, 62. Truckee, California, US

Learn more about Westport

Cities near Westport

Cape Foulwind

It was a wary Captain Cook that gave this unfortunate name to a beautiful place, one he couldn’t quite reach due to offshore winds.

Greymouth

Although the biggest town on the West Coast of the South Island, remote Greymouth still has the small-town feel of the mining hub it once was.

Havelock

The “Green-lipped Mussel Capital of the World” in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds makes the most of nature’s gifts.

Mount Hutt

Rising over 2,000m from the Canterbury Plains, Mount Hutt demands your respect. Welcome to the Capital of Speed.

Westport Hotels

Flights to Westport

Westport Car Hire

Westport Holiday Packages