Leisurly activities from Birds Ferry Lodge

WESTPORT - 15 minutes drive North of Birds Ferry Lodge
The Westport area is a comfortable day’s drive from Nelson, Picton, Kaikoura (via the magnificent Buller Gorge), and from the South of the West Coast. This makes it an ideal place to stay overnight, and allows a relaxed journey and plenty of time to enjoy the sights and experiences on the way.

Westport, a port town near the mouth of the Buller River, is the largest town in the Northern West Coast. It offers a range of retail, banking and other services that you would expect in a larger centre, including an airport.

The mild climate and a great outdoors makes the area an ideal destination for travelers of all ages. The area offers some of the region’s finest heritage experiences, and a variety of quality restaurants, cafés and accommodation.

TAURANGA BAY AND CAPE FOULWIND WALKWAY- 15 minutes from Birds Ferry Lodge. Only a 20 minutes drive to the west of Westport is Tauranga Bay (Cape Foulwind), named by the explorer James Cook for the difficult sailing winds that he experienced while in the area. Here you will find one of the New Zealand's most accessible fur seal colonies. The seals can be easily viewed at the end of an 10 minute track (wheel chair access). Enjoy the gentle walk. Occasionally seals will climb the cliff and sit either on or near the walkway, please ensure that you walk around them. Seals are wild creatures and should not be approached.

CHARLESTON - 10 minutes South of Birds Ferry Lodge
25 Minutes drive south of Westport, on the Coast Road, is Charleston. The site of a major gold rush in the 1860s, Charleston is now famous for its extensive limestone caves and caving experiences, the Nile River, and the beachfront area around Constance Bay.The clifftop walk at Constant Bay is one of Charleston's attractions.

PUNAKAIKI - 25 minutes South from Birds Ferry Lodge
Punakaiki is most famous for the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes (internationally recognised as one of New Zealand’s visitor icons). Visitors are often less aware of the great many other experiences available. Located in the heart of the Paparoa National Park, the area offers great beaches, forest and mountain walks, family canoeing, wildlife, heritage sites, or simple rest and relaxation. There is a tavern, cafés and restaurants, and a great range of accommodation. The area also boasts a vibrant arts and crafts community and a cooperative gallery.

Punakaiki is located near the centre of the ‘Coast Road’, one of the most spectacular coastal drives in the world. The roads are well sealed all the way. To allow time to stop and enjoy some of the walks and coastal views, we recommend allowing much longer than the drive times given in most travel guides.

 

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Birds Ferry Lodge, Westport, West Coast, South Island, New Zealand.
Tel 021 337 217
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