Guidebook for Charleston
Food Scene
Jack’s is one of those iconic places that one infrequently stumbles upon. The main theme is that of a caravan park but Jack makes a mean pizza and to boot there is a tiny bar out back complete with a twirling disco ball. You can often find locals knocking back a few in the bar area and rumour has it that Saturday nights sometimes continue into the wee hours….
Jack’s is a 5-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge.
Jack's Pizza
State Highway 6Jack’s is one of those iconic places that one infrequently stumbles upon. The main theme is that of a caravan park but Jack makes a mean pizza and to boot there is a tiny bar out back complete with a twirling disco ball. You can often find locals knocking back a few in the bar area and rumour has it that Saturday nights sometimes continue into the wee hours….
Jack’s is a 5-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge.
If you are after breakfast or lunch, this restaurant/cafe is just a few minutes drive from the Lodge.
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Underworld Adventures
7368 State Hwy 6If you are after breakfast or lunch, this restaurant/cafe is just a few minutes drive from the Lodge.
Parks & Nature
Punakaiki Blow Holes: One of the highlights of a trip to the West Coast of New Zealand is a visit to the Punakaiki Blowholes and Pancake Rocks. Aim to arrive for high tide as that is when the blow holes are at the most spectacular.
Location: Punakaiki. 25-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
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Punakaiki
Punakaiki Blow Holes: One of the highlights of a trip to the West Coast of New Zealand is a visit to the Punakaiki Blowholes and Pancake Rocks. Aim to arrive for high tide as that is when the blow holes are at the most spectacular.
Location: Punakaiki. 25-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
You can find details of walks in the Charleston, Punakaiki and the Fox River areas here. Our favourite is the Nile River Walk that meanders along the train tracks of the Cave Rafting tour. The is a relatively easy walk that takes you through peaceful native forests, across a river sway bridge, and past majestic limestone cliffs finishing up at the cave entrance (caves are off limits unless you are with a tour). Round trip time is less than 2 hours.
Location: Charleston. 10-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge. Turn onto Darkies Terrace Road (next to the Charleston Motor Camp) and drive 4km until you arrive at the Underworld Adventures Train then follow the path alongside the tracks
Waitakere Or Nile River
You can find details of walks in the Charleston, Punakaiki and the Fox River areas here. Our favourite is the Nile River Walk that meanders along the train tracks of the Cave Rafting tour. The is a relatively easy walk that takes you through peaceful native forests, across a river sway bridge, and past majestic limestone cliffs finishing up at the cave entrance (caves are off limits unless you are with a tour). Round trip time is less than 2 hours.
Location: Charleston. 10-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge. Turn onto Darkies Terrace Road (next to the Charleston Motor Camp) and drive 4km until you arrive at the Underworld Adventures Train then follow the path alongside the tracks
Tauranga Bay, a 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge, has some of New Zealand’s best waves. Lessons are available here.
Location: Near Westport. 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
Tauranga Bay
Tauranga Bay, a 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge, has some of New Zealand’s best waves. Lessons are available here.
Location: Near Westport. 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
Experience an up-close encounter with the splendid fur seals of New Zealand in their natural habitat.
Location: Near Westport. 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
Seal Colony Road
Seal Colony RoadExperience an up-close encounter with the splendid fur seals of New Zealand in their natural habitat.
Location: Near Westport. 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
Sightseeing
Take a trip back in time with a visit to the well-preserved Mitchells Gully Gold Mine. The site takes you past the mining tunnels and much of the original equipment used to recover the gold remains in place.
Location: Charleston. 5-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
Mitchells Gully Gold Mine
Take a trip back in time with a visit to the well-preserved Mitchells Gully Gold Mine. The site takes you past the mining tunnels and much of the original equipment used to recover the gold remains in place.
Location: Charleston. 5-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
Coal was discovered on the west coast of New Zealand in 1846 and mining began in the 1860s. The coal town museum in Westport tells the story of how European settlers established the coal mining industry.
Location: Westport. 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
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Coaltown Museum
123 Palmerston StCoal was discovered on the west coast of New Zealand in 1846 and mining began in the 1860s. The coal town museum in Westport tells the story of how European settlers established the coal mining industry.
Location: Westport. 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge
Essentials
The nearby town of Charleston does not have grocery or convenience stores so it is essential that you stock up on food and drink in Westport, a 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge. There is a large New World grocery store in Westport.
If you are approaching Charleston from the south, you have the option of stopping in Greymouth (90km from Welcome Bay Lodge) and shopping at New World or Countdown
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New World Westport
244 Palmerston StThe nearby town of Charleston does not have grocery or convenience stores so it is essential that you stock up on food and drink in Westport, a 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge. There is a large New World grocery store in Westport.
If you are approaching Charleston from the south, you have the option of stopping in Greymouth (90km from Welcome Bay Lodge) and shopping at New World or Countdown
The nearby town of Charleston does not have grocery or convenience stores so it is essential that you stock up on food and drink in Westport, a 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge. There is a large New World grocery store in Westport.
If you are approaching Charleston from the south, you have the option of stopping in Greymouth (90km from Welcome Bay Lodge) and shopping at New World or Countdown
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New World Greymouth
128 High StThe nearby town of Charleston does not have grocery or convenience stores so it is essential that you stock up on food and drink in Westport, a 15-minute drive from Welcome Bay Lodge. There is a large New World grocery store in Westport.
If you are approaching Charleston from the south, you have the option of stopping in Greymouth (90km from Welcome Bay Lodge) and shopping at New World or Countdown
Drinks & Nightlife
Fancy a drink with some of the locals? Drop by the Goldfields Hall located 5 minutes drive from the Lodge on the main street of Charleston
Charleston Goldfields Public Hall
7354 Camp StFancy a drink with some of the locals? Drop by the Goldfields Hall located 5 minutes drive from the Lodge on the main street of Charleston