A West Coast
Adventure
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is a Grade 2, family friendly cycling and walking heritage trail and will connect the Buller District towns of Westport and Charleston.
ABOUT THE TRAIL
This extraordinary West Coast adventure journeys between the mountains to the east and the coastline to the west, with views towards the majestic Paparoa Mountain Range.
Diverse landscapes combine to create a memorable journey across 42 km. Comprising of eight gentle Sections, with multiple access points, the Trail is manageable for riders to fully complete, at each turn revealing unrivalled and ever-changing coastlines.
The breathtaking route meanders an enviable mix of rugged cliffs, crashing seas, wildlife, forest, suspension bridges, boardwalks, pristine wetlands, shelters and interpretive signage brimming with remarkable stories and local secrets. With views from mountains to sea, the trail traverses highlights such as Carters Beach, Cape Foulwind, Tauranga Bay, Ōkari, Tōtara and Charleston.
The Kawatiri Coastal Trail is under construction and is opening in stages. Currently there are four consecutive Sections open from Westport to Ōkari Lagoon, and also the Waitakere Section in Charleston. A map of the current Trail can be found here.
Trail
Sections
Kilometres
of Trail
Grade 2
Family Friendly
Trail Sections
PŪWAHA
Section 1
5.5 km
Westport - Carters Beach
OPEN
KAWAU
Section 2
7 km
Carters Beach - Cape Foulwind
OPEN
Omau
Section 3
3.5 km
OPEN
Tauranga
Section 4
5 km
OPEN
Ōkari
Section 5
7 km
Ōkari Lagoon - Virgin Flat Road
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Tōtara
Section 6
5 km
Virgin Flat Road - Tōtara River
PLANNED
Rahui
Section 7
5.5 km
Tōtara River - Nile River
PLANNED
Waitakere
Section 8
1 km
OPEN
The area’s unique geology, diverse ecology, extensive Māori and European history and vast seascapes make this one of New Zealand’s finest day or multi-day rides.
Following a dedicated cycle path between Westport and Charleston, the awe-inspiring heritage trail offers riders an invigorating experience along a truly spectacular coastline. Along a wide, smooth path through podocarp forest, nikau palms and expansive beaches, riders journey back in time to the days of Māori Pounamu gatherers and the glittering gold rush era.
Once complete all sections of trail can be ridden in either direction, with the option to slow down the pace and split into shorter rides, taking in major highlights along the way.
Tales from the Trail
Celebrating Half-way To Charleston
In February this year we celebrated reaching the halfway mark of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, with 22km of continuous trail completed from Westport to Ōkari Lagoon. The opening was attended by representative project partners, including the trail construction team from...
Tales of Bush & Beer With Shortjaw Brewery
Words: Luke Robertson - Shortjaw Brewery My memories of growing up in Westport are filled with the outdoors. Swimming in tide-pools and oceans, surfing, riding bikes through the bush, floating down the Buller River, and jumping off things we probably shouldn’t have...
Kawatiri Coastal Trail Has Special Ties With Westport Mitre 10
There’s a fascinating connection between the Mitre 10 Westport store, owned by Troy and Casey Scanlon, and the spectacular Kawatiri Coastal Trail - a new cycling and walking heritage trail that will soon connect the Buller District towns of Westport and Charleston. In...