Major city · New Zealand
Granity
Give Granity one night only if you are walking or riding the Old Ghost Road or want a quiet beach base; otherwise pass through on SH67.
Granity is a former coal town of about 168 people on State Highway 67, 31 km north of Westport. It is the gateway to Millerton's mine heritage and the northern end of the Old Ghost Road, with a beach and a handful of historic buildings. Most travellers use it as a stop, not a destination.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NZD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr
- avoid Jun–Aug (wet and cold)
- Airport
- WSZ
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- New Zealand ↗Visa-waiver visitors need an NZeTA (with the tourism levy) before travel, including many transit passengers; others need a visa. Apply only through Immigration New Zealand or its official app, and check the rules for your passport.
- New Zealand ↗Declare all food, plant and animal products, and used outdoor gear such as hiking boots and tents, on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration; undeclared risk items bring instant fines.
- New Zealand ↗Drive on the left; give way as signed at one-lane bridges; an English-language licence or one with an approved translation or International Driving Permit is required.
- New Zealand ↗Freedom camping is restricted: sleep in a vehicle only where signed as allowed, and in many places only in certified self-contained vehicles.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Granity111 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Granity, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the New Zealand dollar (NZD, NZ$).New Zealand-wide
- SIM or eSIMOne NZ, Spark and 2degrees sell tourist SIMs at Auckland and Christchurch arrivals and in supermarkets; passport not required.New Zealand-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe almost everywhere; follow boil-water notices in small rural schemes.New Zealand-wide
- TippingCafé or restaurant: Nothing expected; 10% for very good service at dinner is a bonus.New Zealand-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.New Zealand-wide
- SafetyGranity is a small, quiet village and feels safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in every town and at most lookouts; DOC long-drops on tracks.New Zealand-wide
- Emergency numbers111 police, fire, ambulance · 105 Non-urgent police · *555 Traffic (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 17:00 and on Sunday afternoons…Shops closed Good Friday, Easter Sunday, ANZAC Day morning and Christmas Day by law; small-town shops close by 5:00 PM and on Sunday afternoons…New Zealand-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckWSZ Westport Airport (About 40 min south by road; Sounds Air flies to Wellington, one to three times a day, Su–F (check)).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeNZ$5–7 (≈ US$3–5)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekNZ$20–50 (≈ US$12–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry (donation)checkNZ$2–5 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedHostel or lodge bed, a night, per personNZ$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomNZ$190 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel or lodge double room, a night, per roomNZ$320 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NZ$80 (≈ US$50) · Mid NZ$150 (≈ US$90) · High NZ$250 (≈ US$150)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- WSZ Westport Airport (About 40 min south by road; Sounds Air flies to Wellington, one to three times a day, Su–F (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Mar
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Apr
Best
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Jul
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Aug
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Sep
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Dec
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jul (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Granity: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Feb
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
10 rd
Mar
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
Apr
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
13 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Jun
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
16 rd
Jul
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
16 rd
Aug
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
15 rd
Sep
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
15 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
16 rd
Nov
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
14 rd
Dec
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. State Highway 67 runs through the village and becomes Torea Street; Westport is 31 km (about 25 min) south. Millerton is 5 km uphill on a narrow road; no public transport serves the village.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 25 min
Drive south on State Highway 67
The nearest town with fuel, shops and the i-SITE visitor centre.
Door to door: About 1 h 45 min
Drive south via Westport, then State Highway 6
Pancake Rocks and blowholes; a long half-day from Granity.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive south-east via State Highway 69
Better as a stop on the way to or from the coast than a return trip.
Karamea
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h (65 km)
Drive north on State Highway 67
Gateway to the Heaphy Track and Kahurangi National Park; stay a night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Granity village (Torea Street)
The only real base: lodge and beach access, walkable to the museum and library.
Millerton
Hilltop former mining village 5 km (3.1 mi) above Granity; a few stays, steep access road (check).Hilltop former mining village 3.1 mi (5 km) above Granity; a few stays, steep access road (check).
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- NZ$80–130 (≈ US$50–80) excl. bed
- Mid
- NZ$130–220 (≈ US$80–130) excl. bed
- High
- NZ$220 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or lodge double room1 × 1 night × NZ$190 | NZ$190 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × NZ$150 | NZ$300 |
| Petrol, Westport and back plus local driving1 × NZ$40 · check | NZ$40 |
| Sounds Air Wellington–Westport, one way2 × NZ$199 · check | NZ$398 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NZ$30 | NZ$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NZ$99 |
| Trip total≈ NZ$544 per person per day, bed included | NZ$1,087≈ US$650 |
2026 estimate in New Zealand dollars; fuel and ferry excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | NZ$5–7 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Café meal | NZ$18–30 (≈ US$11–18) |
| Petrol, per litrecheck | NZ$2.50–3.00 (≈ US$2) |
| Museum entry (donation)check | NZ$2–5 (≈ US$2–3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | NZ$20–50 (≈ US$12–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No fuel, no supermarket and no ATM in Granity: fill up and stock up in Westport.
- The Millerton hill road is narrow and unsealed in places; drive it in daylight.
- Mobile coverage is patchy north of Westport; download maps before you leave.
- The beach and river mouth have strong currents and no lifeguards: do not swim.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 111
- Non-urgent police
- 105
- Traffic
- *555
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GranityGranity
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance111
- Non-urgent police105
- Traffic*555
Embassy
No embassies in Granity. Nearest consular help is in Wellington; the US, UK, Canada and Australia have embassies or high commissions there (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sounds Air Wellington → Westport: about NZ$199 (≈ US$120) adult, one way (check)
- Westport → Granity by car: 31 km (19 mi), about 25 min19 mi (31 km), about 25 min
- Westport i-SITE: 123–25 Palmerston Street, +64 3-789 6658 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Kia ora — Kia ora (hello)
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
No fuel, ATM or supermarket in the village: sort these in Westport before you drive north.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Granity. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Apr · avoid Jun–Aug (wet and cold) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for WSZ: Sounds Air schedule, taxi or shuttle fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: village centre, Millerton hill, the beach and river mouth.
- Place pages with verified hours (Northern Buller Museum, Lyric Theatre, Granity Library) and Old Ghost Road logistics.
- Weather and road-closure fixtures for the SH67 and Millerton hill routes.
Sources
- officialWestport i-SITE Visitor Centre
- officialOld Ghost Road
- officialGhost Lodge Granity
- officialThe Lyric Theatre
- secondaryWikivoyage: Granity, revision 5244934 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Granity
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