There is so much to do at Lake Kaniere, it is worth spending a day there.
Here are some ideas.

Boaters can enjoy water skiing and fishing for salmon, perch, rainbow and brown trout.

Cycle the West Coast Wilderness Trail which goes by the lake.

The Lake Kaniere Walkway is a beautiful walk that traverses native bush along the western shore.

The more adventurous and fit can tackle the dayhike up Mt Tuhua or stay overnight at Mt Brown Hut.

Do one of the best half day scenic drives around. Head to Hokitika from the lake via Dorothy Falls and the stunning Hokitika Gorge.

There is easy access to untamed, natural wilderness in all directions. 
Grab a bike at one of the many cycle hire outlets in town and set out on one of the many half day or full day adventures.

Full Day Rides

Kumara to Milltown – The most challenging section through dramatic mountain landscape, passing old goldfields, historic reservoirs, water races and an old coach road. Amazing views.

Half Day Rides

Kawhaka Creek to Milltown: part of the more challenging section but well worth it. Great views of the Arahura Valley. 

Rimu and Woodstock are just inland from Hokitika and offer scenic views over the Hokitika River and to the mountains.
The road through Rimu and Woodstock offers amazing views of the Hokitika River.
Here are some ideas of how to enjoy them:

Stop at Rimu Point Lookout to overlook the river and the surrounding mountains. A short walk here has information panels about the history of the area. 

Do a popular half day scenic drive that includes Woodstock, the Rimu Point Lookout and Lake Mahinapua.

Woodstock is well-known for being the location of the annual Woodstock Rally, a must- do on the NZ motorcycle rally circuit and key Hokitika event.  

Lake Mahinapua is a tranquil lake just 10 minutes south of Hokitika. This scenic reserve is surrounded by native bush with views of the mountains and often visited by beautiful Kotuku.

Take a scenic driving loop takes you south from Hokitika along the coast. Take in the attractions around Lake Mahinapua before heading back to Hokitika via Rimu.

Experience a scenic boat cruise on Mahinapua Creek

Do a return walk/ride to the Mananui Tramline boardwalk (SH6 end)

Picnic and walk or just relax at the Lake Mahinapua DOC area

Do the treetop walk and overlook the lake

Loop back to Hokitika with a stop at the scenic Rimu Lookout overlooking the Hokitika River

If Sailing is your thing - Lake Mahinapua is the home to the Aquatic Club with regular regatta on the lake

This scenic driving loop immerses you in the golden days. Head up the coast towards Kumara and then loop back to Hokitika via Stafford Loop Road.

Drive up the coast to Serpentine Beach for great Aoraki Mount Cook views

Visit the massive Londonderry Rock near Kumara

Pan for gold at the public fossicking area at Goldsborough

Do the Tunnel Terrace Loop Walk

Stop at the Arahura Bridge Heritage Park

Do the Blue Spur Bushwalk

Shop for gold jewellery in Hokitika

Ross is the source of  'the Honourable Roddy Nugget', a fish-sized gold nugget weighing about 3.1kg! You can see why it is called Ross "Gold Town". Ross is a picturesque town and a worthwhile stop on your travels.
Here are some ideas:

Walk the Ross Water Race Walkway to see goldmining relics and the old Ross Cemetary.

Ross is a key starting or stopping point for the West Coast Wilderness Trail, a NZ "great Ride" cycle trail.

The Information Centre in Ross offers the opportunity to try your hand at gold panning and get your own Roddy nugget! 

The Arahura and Blue Spur areas are just north of Hokitika and offer a wealth of outdoor activities and historic places.
Arahura and Blue Spur offer a range of fun things to do:

Visit the Arahura Bridge Heritage Park for great views and to learn about the one-way rail bridge that used to span the river. 

Mountain bike Hokitika's single track network at Blue Spur.  Get a map from Hokitika Cycle and Sportsworld or the Hokitika i-SITE.

Walk the Blue Spur Bushwalk, where you can duck into tunnels and squeeze through a water race like the old gold miners did.

There are many ways to experience Hokitika's past and present day culture.
Here are some top locals' picks.

Walk the Points of Interest Loop in the town centre which features public art, unique Take-a-Seat art seats and historical buildings and monuments.

Read Eleanor Catton's 2013 Man Booker Prize winning novel The Luminaries. Set in Hokitika during the 1860s gold rush, it a rip-roaring tale of murder.

Visit the Westland Industrial Heritage Park for a look at the industrial machinery that helped build Westland, and experience wetland and forest on the Mudfish Miniature Railway.

Walk or Ride the Hokitika Heritage Trail - signposted from Town

10 kms North of Hokitika is the Awatuna and Goldsborough area, known for its gold mining history and scenic surrounds. Enjoy the view while camping and have a go at gold-panning yourself!

If you like the wilderness, this area is a great place to explore.

Do a scenic drive loop from Hokitika, taking in Goldsborough and Kumara.

There are great historic walks in this area with a local favourite the Tunnel Terrace Walk near Goldsborough. Beware...you are advised to stay strictly to tracks as there are mine shafts scattered throughout the bush.

Goldsborough is a public fossicking area so all you need is a gold pan to start collecting your riches.
There is a great DoC campsite here too.

Hokitika has some truly unique and fun experiences on offer. You can walk in the treetops, feed eels, cruise through serene wetlands and much more.

Visit the National Kiwi Centre. Feed the giant eels, catch a crawly, see live Kiwi, and aquariums.

Hire a bike from Glory Days and experience the local Heritage Trail or half day rides on the West Coast Wilderness Trail - or just cruise around Hokitika Town on your retro cycle.

Head out to Woodstock/Rimu and walk the Treetops - an exhilarating treetop adventure among rainforest giants.

Visit the Westland Industrial Heritage Park and explore the machines that drove the west Coast and meet the locals restoring them Ride the Mudfish Bush miniature railway.

Get creative and visit the Hokitika Craft Gallery or the Wilderness gallery next door in Tancred Street for New Zealand made art, giftware and jewellery.

"Would you like a slice of history with that?" Dine at the Pioneer Hotel.

NZ Possum Fur and Possum/Merino products - for a distinctly New Zealand experience see what "the Possum People" have to offer.

Need a "Natural Place to Take a Break"? Take the kids to Hokitika Holiday Park and let them explore the great playground.

The Beachfront Hotel with the Tasman Sea right on it's doorstep offers a true Hokitika - beach town, accommodation and dining experience. Check it out after exploring our driftwood strewn beach.

Hokitika is centrally positioned on the coast, offering opportunities to explore more of the West Coast.

Do a day trip to Ross or Franz Josef Glacier.

Do a tramp into the surrounding mountains - either a good long day trip or multi-day. 

Hit the rivers for kayaking, rafting or fishing.

Hokitika is the only large West Coast town centre located next to the beach. To be honest it’s hard to ignore - the water practically laps the main street!

Our beach is a place to relax, fossick and enjoy the view.

Get awesome views of New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mount Cook.

The kids love scouring the sand for pounamu (NZ jade), washed down from nearby rivers.

Get that perfect sunset shot at Sunset Point. See examples at Hokitika Sunset Photos Facebook Page

In January, participate in the annual Driftwood and Sand Beach Sculpture Festival event. Anyone can enter and are encouraged to build sculptures from what they can find on the beach.

Grab a bike at one of the many cycle hire outlets in town and set out on one of the many half day or full day adventures.

Full Day Rides

Milltown to Hokitika – Relaxed riding (except for one hill!) along a picturesque valley and Lake Kaniere. Follow an historic waterway and cruise through native forest. 

Half Day Rides

Sunny Bight at Lake Kaniere to Hurunui Jacks – a fun, mostly flat section following an old water race and weaving through beautiful bush.

This has got to be one of the best scenic drives on the West Coast if not all of New Zealand. Packed with awe-inspiring moments.

Take a scenic drive to the Hokitika Gorge

Loop back to Hokitika via the eastern edge of Lake Kaniere

Stop at the pullouts for postcard lake views

See Dorothy Falls, right off the road

Picnic and swim at Hans Bay

Do the Kahikatea Walk at Sunny Bight

There is easy access to untamed, natural wilderness in all directions. 
Grab a bike at one of the many cycle hire outlets in town and set out on one of the many half day or full day adventures.

Full Day Rides

Hokitika to Ross – Easy riding with historic railway bridges, wetlands and views of the Southern Alps. 

Half Day Rides

Mananui Walkway (Mahinapua Walkway) to Rimu/Woodstock Road – see old timber-milling relics, Mahinapua Creek wetlands and regenerating bush.

Hokitika is centrally positioned on the coast, offering opportunities to explore more of the West Coast.

Do a day trip to Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks or Arthur's Pass.
Do a tramp into the surrounding mountains - either a good long day trip or multi-day.
Hit the rivers for kayaking, rafting or fishing.

28kms north of Hokitika, Kumara is a former gold mining town that has enjoyed a recent revitalisation and is a key stop on the West Coast Wilderness Trail.

Kumara has some interesting history on display and is a convenient location on the State Highway and West Coast Wilderness Trail.

Kumara is a major stopping point along the scenic West Coast Wilderness Trail, one of NZ's "Great Rides" for cycling.

Kumara hosts some of the West Coast's largest events, including the annual Coast to Coast endurance race and Kumara Horse Races.

See a boulder too big for gold miners to move (it's REALLY big) on the Londonderry Rock walk

No car required! If you are short on time, you can easily enjoy it around Hokitika's town centre.  Be aware, lots of people say they wished they had spent more time here!

Wander town and browse the shops and galleries for unique gifts.

Try the delicious, local delicacy whitebait

Search for pounamu and picnic on the  Hokitika Beach

Walk the self-guided Points of Interest Loop to get a feel for the past and present culture of Hokitika

Watch the sunset over the Tasman Sea at Sunset Point

Visit the glow-worm dell at dark for a magical natural light show

Hokitika's town centre is an easy place to walk around. Located next to the beach, it's packed with gift stores, galleries and all the services you could want. For a little town, there is heaps of cool things to do.

Walk the Points of Interest Loop to see public art, unique Take-a-Seat art seats and historical monuments and buildings.

Head to the beach! Driftwood strewn, awesome views of Aoraki Mount Cook and unforgettable sunsets over the Tasman Sea.

Wander round town and watch the artists at work in their galleries.

Shop for all your essentials  - Hokitika is a full service town so take advantage of stores before heading south.

Enjoy great coffee and good food including whitebait which is on offer at selected cafes and restaurants.