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westport
 The first town
established on the remote West Coast still retains its colonial
atmosphere, while developing as a base for today’s ‘wet
and wild’ outdoor adventures.
Westport began as a single trading post on the banks of the
Buller River. Today it is a coal and cement port, and the
administrative centre for the Buller farming region. The town has
an impressive backdrop of dense rainforest and the jagged peaks
of the Paparoa Range.
Mining continues as a mainstay industry
and the enterprise of ‘Coasters’ ensures that Westport
also thrives as a transport interchange, and an outdoor adventure
base. Westport is the place
for energetic action and great fun. You can descend underground,
tramp overland, float through rapids, explore the mountains, go
rafting, diving, fishing or sightseeing by helicopter. At the end
of a hectic day there are opportunities to wine and dine in
Westport’s trendy restaurants.
Underground rafting in the Metro Cave system is especially
popular, and has a dramatic float-trip, exploring a glow-worm
cave and deep ravine. The Buller, Karamea and Mokihinui Rivers
are all good for rafting adventures. The Tauranga Bay seal
colony, 12 km out of town, and the Cape Foulwind Walkway, provide
an interesting look at this unspoiled coastline and its
inhabitants.
 The Main visitor attraction in Westport is
Coaltown, a well presented museum reconstructing the coal
miner’s life. It includes a realistic walk through a
simulated coalmine, with all the clanking sound effects and musty
odours of the mine. It is definitely worth a visit. If you find
Coaltown interesting, you may like to explore the fascinating
ghost towns, long abandoned mine sites and rusting relics, deep
in the inhospitable coal country behind Westport. Denniston was
once the coast’s most productive coalfield, and Millerton
and Seddonville are mere remnants of their former glory, but all
offer pleasant heritage walks into the past.
Westport is a good place to enjoy the untamed beauty of the West
Coast. It is especially satisfying for the adventurous visitor
who seeks a physical challenge in the rugged mountain terrain
behind the town.
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