Hokitika is a small, vibrant town, situated on the west coast of the South Island. There’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. Scratch below the surface and you’ll find the best sunsets in NewZealand,greenstone carving, glacial rivers of vibrant blue, and enough walks to satisfy the adventurous spirit in anyone.
If you’re road tripping New Zealand, consider Hokitika as more than just a pitstop. There’s plenty of stuff in town worth doing and loads of cheap accommodation options if you’re travelling on a budget. With so much to do in Hokitika, we’ve narrowed it down to a few must-dos.
Watch the Sunset on Hokitika Beach
The sunsets on New Zealand’s west coast can be absolutely spectacular. And there’s no better place to witness the light declining the sun descending than on Hokitika Beach. When the evening is clear, the sun sets on the horizon with a fiery intensity, displaying a spectrum of awesome colours. Hokitika Beach is also a hotspot for driftwood signs, which makes for some great photo opportunities when the sun is going down.
Visit Hokitika Gorge
The beautiful Hokitika Gorge lies 33kms from the town of Hokitika on the west coast. Here you’ll find an otherworldly landscape. A steep sided gorge drops down to a glacial river where perfectly turquoise-blue water and incredible rock formations make for postcard worthy scenes. After a gravel road adventure, it’s only a 15-minute walk down to the river below the iconic Hokitika Gorge swing bridge. Be sure to take insect repellent if you plan to stay a while and take photos.
Get to Grips with Some Greenstone
Hokitika is also famous for its pounamu, which is more widely known as jade greenstone. Pounamu holds great significance within Māori culture, and Hokitika is home to a plentiful supply of this precious stone. While you’re in town, you can observe master carvers work stones into fantastic shapes and sculptures. You’ll also get the opportunity to have a go yourself and carve your own memento of your New Zealand travels.
Visit Lake Kaniere
Just 30kms southeast of Hokitika lies Lake Kaniere, a vast stretch of pristine wilderness, with a wealth of outdoor activities, family-friendly experiences, and easy access to nature. It’s perfect for hiking, camping, mountain biking, or just relaxing in the peace, quiet and perfect stillness of nature and the remarkable landscape. There are a number of short walks and day-long walks in the area. When evening comes, the lake also witnesses more of Hokitika’s magical sunsets.
Hokitika is at the centre of the west coast road along the Southern Alps, which makes it a perfect base from which you can further explore some other wonders of the South Island, including the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks, and Arthur's Pass.
For the best way to see it all, jump in a Hertz rental car and explore at your own pace.
