- Est. Median Value
- $473K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $250/wk
- Safety Score
- 83/100
- Green Space
- 13%
- Current Weather
- 4.9°C
- Median Age
- 52 yrs
~42 crimes/1k/yr
few clouds
Living in Carters Beach
Carters Beach is Westport's beach suburb, the settlement on the long sand beach 5 km north of town where the Westport residents go when the inland streets need a break and the Tasman Sea needs an audience. Around 800 people live in the baches, holiday homes and permanent residences along the beach front, in the relaxed coastal community that a working West Coast town generates when it has a decent beach close enough to use regularly and far enough away to feel like going somewhere.
The beach is the kind of West Coast beach that nature provides when it's not trying to be picturesque and ends up being spectacular anyway: a long, dark-sand surf beach with the Tasman arriving in full, the ranges behind, and the kind of light that overcast West Coast days produce - flat, diffuse, excellent for photography, indifferent to tourism planning. The surf is consistent. The crowd is manageable.
The Cape Foulwind Walkway's northern end begins near the beach, and the seal colony at Tauranga Bay is within easy range. Westport's full services sit 5 km south, close enough to remove the provisioning anxiety that more remote beach settlements generate.
Carters Beach is Westport's outdoor living room, with the sea doing the decorating.
Is Carters Beach a good place to live?
Carters Beach is home to roughly 1,446 people across 7.2 km². On Suburb's overall livability scale, Carters Beach scores 53 out of 100, with a safety score of 83/100 and 13% green space.
Schools: Carters Beach has 4 schools in or near the suburb, spanning early-childhood through to secondary education. See the Schools tab below for the full list.
Housing: The estimated median value is around $473K, and weekly rent typically sits around $250.
Lifestyle: Carters Beach has cafés, shops and things to do nearby. The current temperature is 4.9°C. See the Weather tab for monthly averages.
Whether Carters Beach is right for you depends on what you’re looking for. Use the data and community tips below to decide if it suits your lifestyle, family and budget.
Map
Livability Breakdown
- Safety83
- Amenities10
- Schools57
- Housing Affordability79
- Green space43
- Community67
- Transport15
Property & Economics
- Est. Median Value
- $473K
- Median Weekly Rent
- $250/wk
- Median HH Income
- $74K/yr
- Pop. Growth (5yr)
- +14.8%
- Data Year
- 2023
Key Financial Indicators (NZD)
† Est. Median Value is suburb.co.nz's own estimate, modelled from available public data. We aim for accuracy, but where data is limited, estimates may be imprecise.
Nearby Suburbs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is Carters Beach?
- Carters Beach is 5 km north of Westport on the West Coast, the town's main beach settlement on the Tasman Sea, accessible via the Cape Foulwind Road.
- What is Carters Beach like?
- A long dark-sand surf beach with the full Tasman weather experience, a mix of permanent residents and holiday homes, and Westport's services 5 km south. The Cape Foulwind Walkway begins nearby.
- Can you swim at Carters Beach?
- Swimming is possible in calmer conditions but the beach is exposed to Tasman swell. Check surf conditions and be aware of rips - there is no permanent lifeguard service.
- What is near Carters Beach?
- Cape Foulwind Lighthouse and the fur seal colony at Tauranga Bay are accessible via the walkway, and Westport's full services are 5 km south.
- How do I get from Westport to Carters Beach?
- By car, around 10 minutes north on the Cape Foulwind Road from Westport.
- Which schools are in zone for Carters Beach?
- Carters Beach is not covered by a school enrolment zone. Nearby schools may accept enrolments under open enrolment or by application.
- How do I check my school zone in Carters Beach?
- Use the School Zone Checker on this page. Enter your address to check your school zone and see which schools you have a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Schools & Enrolment Zones in Carters Beach
Schools in zone for Carters Beach
No enrolment-zoned schools cover Carters Beach. The schools below are the nearest options — many operate open enrolment.
Check your school zone
School Zone Checker
Enter your address to check your school zone in Carters Beach. School enrolment zones (home zones) decide which schools your child has a guaranteed right to enrol at.
Address matching is approximate and based on OpenStreetMap geocoding — confirm an exact result near a zone boundary directly with the school.
Other nearby schools
Schools close to Carters Beach that you may be able to enrol at under open enrolment or by application (outside your home zone).
Buller High School
Secondary (Year 9-15) · roll 364 · decile 5 · 3.7 km away
St Canice's School (Westport)
Full Primary · roll 141 · decile 5 · 3.7 km away
Westport South School
Full Primary · roll 232 · decile 5 · 3.9 km away
Westport North School
Full Primary · roll 199 · decile 5 · 4.0 km away
Eat & Drink in Carters Beach
Places to eat & drink(2)
Donaldos Cafe & Bar
Donaldo's
Stay in Carters Beach
Places to stay(3)
Carters by the Sea
Carters Beach Bed and Breakfast
Carters by the Sea Motel
Carters Beach Weather
Current conditions: 4.9°C, few clouds
| Month | High (°C) | Low (°C) | Rainfall (mm/day) | Sunshine (hrs/day) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Jan | 20.53 | 14.36 | 6.79 | 11.67 |
| ☀️ Feb | 19.53 | 13.11 | 4.84 | 11.01 |
| 🍂 Mar | 17.28 | 11.72 | 8.71 | 8.88 |
| 🍂 Apr | 16.61 | 11.27 | 8.18 | 7.76 |
| 🍂 May | 14.67 | 9.36 | 9.91 | 5.8 |
| ❄️ Jun | 13.69 | 7.95 | 6.23 | 6.75 |
| ❄️ Jul | 12.62 | 6.79 | 4.68 | 6.72 |
| ❄️ Aug | 12.32 | 6.12 | 9.64 | 7.57 |
| 🌸 Sep | 13.73 | 8.49 | 8.96 | 7.75 |
| 🌸 Oct | 14.41 | 8.74 | 8.57 | 9.3 |
| 🌸 Nov | 15.92 | 10.01 | 6.69 | 9.87 |
| ☀️ Dec | 18.22 | 13.03 | 8.57 | 10.08 |
Carters Beach Community
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Local tips
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