What to See & Do

Scenic Highlights

• Cape Foulwind – A dramatic stretch of coastline with sweeping ocean views and rugged cliffs and the Kawatiri Coastal Trail and lighthouse.
• Carters Beach – A wide, windswept family firendly beach perfect for walking and sunsets. 
• Buller Gorge – a stunning 150 km scenic drive (SH6) along the Buller River, renowned for its dramatic steep valleys, dense rainforest, and clear green waters. Key attractions include New Zealand’s longest swing bridge, gold panning, high-speed jet boating, rafting, historic mining sites, and tranquil nature walks.
• North Beach – A rugged, uncrowded, and scenic coastline littered with driftwood. Ideal for surfing, walking, and fishing and viewing the ocean. A peaceful alternative to busier spots, often described as a tranquil, natural escape.
• The Tip Head – A coastal granite rock structure consisting of two breakwaters at the mouth of the Buller/Kawatiri River. It serves as a beacon of light for shipping and popular landmark for walking, viewing the river meet the sea, surfing, fishing and memorial.

Walks & Tracks

• Kawatiri Coastal Trail – An easy coastal track leading to the seal colony
• Tauranga Bay Seal Colony – A short walk to view New Zealand fur seals in their natural habitat
• Heritage Loop Walk – Trails through native forest leading to the site of the 1929 Murchison earthquake fault and historic mining sites.
• The Charming Creek Walkway – A 9.5 km, one-way trail near Westport, featuring historic coal mining/sawmilling remains and stunning gorge scenery
• The Old Ghost Road – An  85km, grade 4/5 advanced mountain biking and hiking trail, connecting Lyell in the Buller Gorge to the Mōkihinui River. It is a remote backcountry route following a revived 19th-century gold miners’ road, featuring rugged terrain, native forests, and steep mountain top traverses.
• The Constant Bay Loop – An easy 15-minute walking track in Charleston, offering dramatic views of the rugged West Coast and crashing waves, coastal rock formations and steep, exposed drops.
• Find your track on DOC website

Activities & Experiences

• Surfing, fishing, and beachcombing along the coastline
• River-based activities along the Buller River
• Museum of Kawatiri – An immersive experience that celebrates the heritage and endeavour of the people of the Buller District
• Buller Gorge Swing Bridge – Visitors walk 110 meters across the river, suspended 19 meters high.
• Buller Canyon Jet Boating – High-speed boat trips on the Buller River.
• Gold Panning – Visitors can pan for gold and keep what they find in a historic mining area.
• The Denniston Coal Mine – regarded for its dramatic, “eighth wonder of the world” incline railway history, breathtaking panoramic views from 518 metres up, and immersive historical relics. It is a top heritage site for exploring 19th-century mining, featuring remnants like the Banbury Arch, Coalbrookdale walk and panels of historic photographs and stories.
• Nile River Caves – Renowned for extensive limestone formations (stalactites/stalagmites) and vast glowworm displays, they are explored via guided tours, including “black water rafting” on tubes or walking tours
• Mitchell Gully Gold Mining – Learn about Charlestons prosperous goldmining history, unique geological structure and the goldmining process.

Wildlife & Nature

• Seals at Tauranga Bay
• Birdlife along the river and coastal areas
• Coastal great spotted kiwi (roroa) near the Kawatiri Coastal Trail
• Blue penguins near the coast
• Hector’s dolphins offshore
• Forest birds like tūī, fantails, and kererū in native bush areas.
• Dramatic convergence of the rugged Tasman Sea and the massive Buller River.
• Wild, windswept beaches, covered in driftwood.
• Native rainforests and unique limestone