3 minute read
Hokitika Must-Do's
West Coast Treetop Walk & Café
Scuttle across a 450m-long platform elevated 20m above ground between ancient rimu and kāmahi trees, then climb Hokitika Tower, an extra 20m above.
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Lake Mahinapua
Lake Mahinapua © juergenschacke.com
Part of Mahinapua Scenic Reserve and a stone's throw from West Coast Treetop Walk, stay at the peaceful DOC campsite, swim in the lake and reconnect with nature.
Hokitika Gorge
Hokitika Gorge © West Coast Tourism
The water is an astonishing electric blue and you won’t want to leave without crossing the swing bridges to admire dramatic gorge scenery. Located 33km from central Hokitika.
Sunset Point
At day’s end, sit on the beach and watch whitebaiters cast their nets. Sit with a bag of fresh fish and chips before a sunset smeared in a kaleidoscope of golden hues. Magic.
Hokitika Beach
Beach in Hokitika © Adobe Stock
If you haven’t been to Hokitika Beach and taken a sunset selfie with its unmistakable driftwood sign – have you really even been to Hokitika?
Hokitika Heritage Trail Walkway
Tracing the town’s perimeter, every secret from Hokitika’s 19th century gold-rush days is revealed along this pathway for walkers and bike riders. Pick up a brochure detailing the entire walk from the local i-SITE.
Hokitika Driftwood and Sand Festival
Held every January, come and express your creative side with anything you can forage off the beach to create unique sculptures.
Hokitika Glass Studio
Admire the hypnotic art of glassblowing in the heart of Hokitika. Witness the workshop in action every weekday between 10:30am and 4pm.
Wildfoods Festival
Hokitika Wildfoods Festival © Westland District Council
Get your gnashers around a lamb’s testicle on 12 March 2022. A festival of both obscure foods and your favourite fare, good tucker and entertainment.
Rimu Lookout
Tear your eyes away from the scenery to learn more about the area's gold mining heritage via several displays dotted along this one-hour looped walk.
Glowworm Dell
You can walk here from town in less than 15 minutes. Well sign-posted from the main road, discover a fern grotto by day and a stunning galaxy of glowworms by night.
Hokitika Craft Gallery
Boasting works of art that are 80 percent locally made, come and admire a wealth of Hokitika talent.
National Kiwi Centre
In need of a family-friendly indoor activity? Say hello to various New Zealand species, including kiwi, tuatara and giant eels which you can feed.
Hokitika Historic Buildings
Visit the Regent Theatre, an Art Deco building that still shows the latest movies and live shows. The elegant St Mary’s Church is equally as captivating.
Lake Kaniere
Drive 24km inland from Hokitika for swimming spots, a jetty, biking and walking routes, and secret picnic nooks on this picturesque lake.
Honourable Roddy
In 1909, New Zealand’s largest gold nugget was discovered in Ross, weighing in at 2.81 kilogram. A replica of Big Rod sits in the Ross Goldfield’s Information Heritage Centre. The original was gifted to the English monarchy, melted into a tea set and subsequently ‘misplaced’!
Bonz ‘N’ Stonz
Join a master carver for a tutorial on chiselling pounamu, as well as paua shell or bone.
Ross
Just 20 minutes from Hokitika, this historic little town buzzes with quiet energy. Visit the museum, pan for gold, enjoy walks or saddle up: this is one end of the West Coast Wilderness Cycle Trail.
