Location

Getting to Karamea involves taking one of the most beautiful drives in the world: North from Westport along the coastal road, which affords stunning views of the Tasman sea, river valleys and jagged mountain ranges.

The road then crosses the Mohikuniui River and goes up into the densely forested mountains of the Kahurangi.

You’ll pass ancient tree giants, pass beneath majestic tree ferns and go high over the Karamea Bluff before dropping into the broad alluvial coastal plain at Little Wanganui. You’ll pass happily grazing dairy herds on lush green pasture, the expansive Otumahana Lagoon and then over the mighty Karamea River before arriving in the quaint township of Karamea.
There is also a bus service that operates daily (except Sunday) between Westport and Karamea.

Arrival by air is also a popular option, with Karamea boasting both an airport and a heliport, with options catering specifically to the tramper or those wishing to combine getting to their destination with magnificent scenic viewing. Westport has a larger airport servicing flights from major New Zealand cities.