Hokitika was founded on goldmining in 1864. And some hit it rich! The largest gold nugget ever found in New Zealand was unearthed in Ross (south of Hokitika) in 1909. It was as big as a man’s fist and weighed 2.8kgs.
Browse the listings below to see Hokitika places that feature gold.
EASY Time: 20 minute loop Access: Signposted on Stafford-Goldsborough roadside with carpark. Features: Track enters and exits through old goldmining tailrace tunnels and meanders through old gold workings. Passes through regenerating rimu, kamahi and tree fern forest. A great place to see glowworms at night.
EASY / MODERATE Time: 1 hour loop. Access: Walk starts from Ross Visitor Centre. Features: Follows Mt Greenland Rd up Jones Ck & loops back following water race. Replica miner's hut, several dam sites and tunnels. Passes through old Ross cemetery with views overlooking Ross and the Tasman Sea. Goldmining area relics to be seen on walk and at visitor centre.
MODERATE Time: 1.5 hour loop walk Access: Carpark on Blue Spur Road Features: Old Chinese goldmining workings: races, stone walls and shafts in regrowth native forest. Great fun for kids to explore but care required due to steeper sections, hidden drops and shafts. Stick to the track, wear good footwear as parts can be slick.
EASY Time: 10 min one way Access: Turn off SH73, 1 km east of Kumara onto a metalled road running alongside a water race Features: Walk passes through stone-fields of old goldmining tailings & manuka forest to huge glacier-deposited boulder, too big for the early miners to move or break.
EASY Time: 1 hour loop walk. Access: Carpark at the top of Rimu Hill, 4km over Kaniere Bridge. Features: Panoramic views of the Hokitika valley, and access to displays on the gold mining heritage of the area.
NATURAL GOLD NUGGETS. As found, natural West Coast gold nuggets & flakes sourced from present day gold mines. Watch our jeweller working with the as found gold, creating beautiful gold nugget jewellery. Hold a large gold nugget in your hand and experience the amazing weight of gold. Studio & Gallery Open 7 days.