Tracks & walks in the Buller area
Steeped in goldmining history, the Buller area is home to Punakaiki Rocks, the temperate forests of Oparara Basin, along with Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay.
The Buller Kawatiri Area manages about 300,000ha of public conservation land in the northern West Coast. Hunting for red deer, goats, feral pigs is popular throughout much of the area.Location: The area includes Paparoa National Park and part of Kahurangi National Park, many small reserves and large areas of stewardship land. These can be accessed from SH6.
At Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay you can explore the coastline and visiting the main attraction - the New Zealand fur seal. A close but safe view allows you to watch the seals swimming, dozing in the sun and feeding their young.Location: Cape Foulwind and Tauranga Bay are on the coastline about 16 km southwest of Westport.
Denniston was the main township of a collection of mining towns built to service the nearby coal mines. It offers magnificent views down to the coastal plains of the Karamea Bight and the mouth of the Waimangaroa River.Location: The turnoff to Denniston is at Waimangaroa, 15 km north of Westport along State Highway 67.
Oparara Basin is one of the finest features of the Kahurangi National Park. The 35 million-year-old complex of limestone caves, arches and channels is popular with walkers, cavers and nature lovers.Location: The basin is about 20 km north of Karamea.
The famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes are just a 20 minute loop walk from where you park your vehicle on the main highway at Punakaiki.Location: These are located at Dolomite Point, near the little settlement of Punakaiki which is located on SH 6, 40 minutes drive north of Greymouth and 50 minutes south of Westport.
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