4 minute read
TRIP 9 A JOURNEY TO HOKITIKA
Greymouth to Hokitika
Greymouth to Hokitika via SH6 - 32min, 39.4km
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SIDE TRIP - Kumara Junction to Jacksons via SH73 - 34min, 45.7km
© AA Traveller 2021
The Greymouth to Hokitika stretch of road falls roughly in the midway point of the region. It takes you between lush rain forests on one side of the road and farming land that stretches out to the ocean on the other. Millennia of floods and erosion has brought down silt from the upper reaches of the Alps that was then deposited in the valleys has created flat terraces of fertile soil along the coastal lowlands.
Roughly five minutes out of Hokitika, the Arahura River meets the sea. It is here where you can take a spiritual Māori-led guide of the river and scour for your own piece of pounamu with Arahura Greenstone Tours.
Beach in Hokitika
© Adobe Stock
HOKITIKA
Hokitika is a vibrant tourist town and the point where SH73 emerges from Arthur’s Pass, making it a busy hub.
At the height of the gold rush in the late 1860s, Hokitika was throbbing with people and the country’s second largest port. Take a self-guided heritage tour, embark on The Rimu Lookout walk or German Gully Pack Track; both trails provide gold-mining insight and the latter features mining remnants.
The streets are lined with attractive buildings dating back to their 1860 heyday and by day are abuzz with the sale of greenstone, glassware, textiles and other crafts. The National Kiwi Centre celebrates every West Coast critter: view kiwi in the nocturnal house, take part in feeding giant eels and try your hand at catching (and releasing) crayfish.
Hokitika is also home to the famous Wild Foods Festival. Get ready to eat snails, grubs and mountain oysters – the latter being lambs’ testicles. Obscure foods abound.
Seddon statue, Hokitika
© Adobe Stock
HOKITIKA MUST-DO'S
> Hokitika Beach Sign
> Glow Worm Dell
> National Kiwi Centre> Greenstone / pounamu
> Wild Food Festival in March
> Lake Kaniere> Hokitika Gorge
HIGHLIGHTS ALONG THE WAY
TARAMAKAU BRIDGE Share the single-lane bridge with a railway track. Give way to any traffic on the bridge and when the bridge is free, proceed with care.
BLACKBALL Blackball’s museum tells the story of the Labour movement and how Blackball played a huge part in shaping our politics.
HOKITIKA GORGE SCENIC RESERVE The water is an astonishing electric blue and crossing the swing bridges toad mire its dramatic scenery is a must. Located 33km from Hokitika. In summer, there is also a safe swimming spot.
WEST COAST TREETOP WALK & CAFÉ Scuttle across a 450m steel platform elevated 20m above the ground in dense forest, then climb to the top of Hokitika Tower, an extra 20m above.
HOKITIKA’S ART & CRAFT TRAIL Master carvers open their workshops while they work on pounamu. Visitors can design, cut, shape and polish their own piece.
HOKITIKA BEACH The town is right on the coast and its wild, weather-beaten stretch of beach is strewn with bleached driftwood.
LAKE KANIERE Drive 24km inland from Hokitika for swimming spots, a jetty, bike tracks, walking routes, and secret picnic nooks.
SIDE TRIP - KUMARA & JACKSONS
Being a stop on the West Coast Wilderness Cycle trail has given Kumara a new lease of life; it’s a colourful, lively little town these days. Historic Kumara has excellent cycle trails, hunting and fishing spots and an array of short walks amongst the native bush where you can discover gold-mining relics and pan for gold. Hunting for greenstone is another attraction on offer. The village itself has creative craft shops and cafés and there are various accommodation options, including overnight stays in beautifully restored heritage buildings such as as the Theatre Royal Hotel. This is the West Coast’s only fully restored gold miners’ hotel and was once a renowned theatre.
Another 38km up the road is Jacksons. Also a stop for the Tranz Alpine train. This is a small historic town and something of a time warp. Nevertheless, it never fails to charm its guests.
Trans Alpine Cass Bank
© Kiwi Rail
HOKITIKA: ALL THAT SHINES
GLOW WORM DELL: You can walk here from town in 15 minutes. Well sign-posted from the main road, discover a fern grotto by day and a galaxy of glowworms by night.
HOKITIKA GLASS STUDIO: Admire the hypnotic art of glassblowing at this family business in the heart of Hokitika. Witness the workshop in action every weekday between 10.30am and 4pm.
