Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
it's all hearty and homemade. Occasional bands and DJs raise the excitement level to
somewhere under fever pitch.
Information
10am-3pm Sat & Sun)
has helpful staff, and a compact re-creation of the Quartzopolis Mine
(gold coin entry). There's internet at the library, which doubles as the postal agency.
Getting There & Away
day except Saturday on the run between Westport (1¼ hours) and Christchurch (3¾
hours).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Westport & Around
POP 5600
The port of Westport made its fortune in coal mining, and coal still makes a considerable
contribution to keeping the town stoked up. Beyond some respectable hospitality, the
town contains little of prolonged interest, but makes a good base for exploring the fascin-
ating coast north to Karamea, Oparara and the Heaphy Track.
Sights & Activities
Westport is good for a stroll - the i-SITE can direct you to the
Millenium Walkway
and
North Beach Reserve
. The most thrilling adventure in the area is cave rafting with Nor-
west Adventures (
Click here
), although mountain biking is gaining momentum as a pop-
ular pastime among local and visiting backcountry adventurers. The folk at Habitat
Sports (
Click here
)
offer bike hire, maps and advice.
Coaltown Museum
MUSEUM
(
www.coaltown.co.nz
;
123 Palmerston St; adult/child $15/7; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat &
Sun)
Re-opened in 2013, the new-look Coaltown Museum retells the same old yarns of
hard times, but this time with well-scripted display panels alongside an excellent selec-
tion of photographs, surrounding relics of local industries and general pioneer ephemera.
The Denniston displays are a highlight.
