From Nelson to Westport via Nelson Lakes and the Buller Gorge
A three-day route on SH6 from Nelson through beech forest and the Buller Gorge to Westport and the Karamea coast.
- Distance
- 347 km (216 mi)
- Driving
- 3 h 47 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 11
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 8, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 347 km (216 mi) with 11 stops, from Nelson to Kohaihai Campsite and Heaphy Track End. About 3 h 47 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
SH6 climbs from Nelson through Richmond and the Hope and Wakefield area, then follows the Motueka and Tadmor valleys to Kawatiri Junction, about 100 km. SH63 leads from there to St Arnaud and Lake Rotoiti. Kerr Bay has a DOC campsite and lake walks; fuel is limited in the village, so fill up in Nelson. Check the forecast for snow in winter, since the saddles above Murchison can be icy.
From the junction, SH6 follows the Buller River to Murchison, a small supply town. A sealed side road from Gowan Bridge reaches Lake Rotoroa, a quieter lake. Past Murchison the highway enters the Buller Gorge: about 80 km of narrow road and bridges, with long straight sections and slow trucks. Leave early and use laybys for photos. Fuel is available in Murchison, but check opening hours in the evening.
Westport is the starting point for the coast. Just south-west, the Cape Foulwind walkway passes a fur seal colony. To the north-east, a steep and narrow road climbs to the Denniston Plateau; avoid it with long vehicles. Check the weather first, as mist often covers the plateau. Fuel and supplies are best bought in Westport. The coast is among the wettest parts of the country, so plan indoor options.
SH67 runs north from Westport to Karamea, about 100 km of coast and bush; it passes Mokihinui and has several one-lane bridges. In Karamea, the Oparara Basin road is narrow and partly unsealed, so choose a smaller vehicle if possible. The road ends at the Kohaihai campsite, 15 km further; sandflies are bad, so bring repellent. Fill the tank in Westport and carry food, since the shops in Karamea are small.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Nelson
New Zealand - 283 km
St Arnaud
New Zealand - 31 km
Lake Rotoiti, Kerr Bay Campsite
NatureSt Arnaud, New ZealandA DOC campsite on the shore of Lake Rotoiti in Nelson Lakes National Park, with a jetty, beech forest and tracks into the mountains. Spaces are limited in summer, so check booking requirements; the lake is cold but clear and good for a quick swim.
- 422 km
Lake Rotoroa
NatureSt Arnaud, New ZealandA long, quiet lake surrounded by forested slopes at the western edge of Nelson Lakes National Park, reached by a sealed side road from Gowan Bridge on SH6. Short walks lead along the shore, and it is quieter than Lake Rotoiti.
- 530 km
Murchison
New Zealand - 673 km
Westport
New Zealand - 712 km
Cape Foulwind Walkway and Tauranga Bay
NatureWestport, New ZealandA 4 km clifftop walkway between the lighthouse and Tauranga Bay passes a New Zealand fur seal colony; pups can be seen from the lookout in summer. Allow about 90 minutes one way and a car shuttle if you prefer not to retrace your steps.
- 832 km
Denniston Plateau and Incline
HistoryWestport, New ZealandA bleak coal-mining plateau 600 metres above Westport, with the remains of a steep incline railway and a heritage centre. The access road is steep and narrow; skip it with long vehicles, and bring a warm layer, as mist and wind are common.
- 972 km
Karamea
New Zealand - 108 km
Oparara Basin Arches
NatureKaramea, New ZealandHuge limestone arches and caves carved by tea-stained rivers, with short forest tracks to each. The access road is narrow and partly unsealed, so check conditions and avoid large campervans. Bring a torch for the cave tracks, as the paths can be muddy.
- 1115 km
Kohaihai Campsite and Heaphy Track End
NatureKaramea, New ZealandA DOC campsite at the end of the road north of Karamea, where the Heaphy Track meets a wild beach of rata and nīkau palms. A half-hour walk gives estuary and coast views; sandflies are persistent, so bring repellent and check the track status.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Nelson → Lake Rotoroa · 106 km · 1 h 09 minOn the way: St Arnaud, Lake Rotoiti, Kerr Bay Campsite.
- Day 2: Lake Rotoroa → Cape Foulwind Walkway and Tauranga Bay · 115 km · 1 h 15 minOn the way: Murchison, Westport.
- Day 3: Cape Foulwind Walkway and Tauranga Bay → Kohaihai Campsite and Heaphy Track End · 126 km · 1 h 23 minOn the way: Denniston Plateau and Incline, Karamea, Oparara Basin Arches.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is From Nelson to Westport via Nelson Lakes and the Buller Gorge?
3-day road trip of about 347 km (216 mi) with 11 stops, from Nelson to Kohaihai Campsite and Heaphy Track End. About 3 h 47 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for From Nelson to Westport via Nelson Lakes and the Buller Gorge?
We suggest 3 days: about 3 h 47 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does From Nelson to Westport via Nelson Lakes and the Buller Gorge start and end?
It starts in Nelson and ends in Kohaihai Campsite and Heaphy Track End.
Which states does From Nelson to Westport via Nelson Lakes and the Buller Gorge pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for From Nelson to Westport via Nelson Lakes and the Buller Gorge?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
