The road up to Charming Creek, just north of Westport on the West Coast, is a slice of rugged New Zealand. Winding through dense native bush and alongside the Ngakawau River, it’s a narrow, mostly gravel route that hints at the area’s mining past. Although the drive is short, the scenery quickly shifts from coastal views to thick, green forest, setting the tone perfectly for the famous Charming Creek Walkway that starts at the end of the road.