Hokitika

LOCATION : Kumara

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.

LOCATION : Lake Kaniere

EASY 
Time: 2 minutes.
Access: Carpark beside bridge at Dorothy Falls Rd on eastern side of lake.
Features: Short path to pool at base of best local falls. Awesome in a good rain. 

LOCATION : Awatuna/Goldsborough

MODERATE 
Time: 4 hours one way. 8 km. 
Access: Starts at Goldsborough camping area. Ends on Callaghans Road. Walk back along road or return transport required.
Features: Both ends of track feature signs of historic goldmining, including fine tunnels on Shamrock Creek. The higher portions of the track are one of the best remaining local examples of hill-country rimu and miro forest.

"Kia ora - Welcome. Let us show you around our piece of paradise and tell you a little bit about us, what we do and why we love our piece of paradise".

Hokitika Scenic Tours is a personal, safe and friendly transport service, right here, in Hokitika - the heart of Westland, West Coast, South Island, NZ.

LOCATION : Lake Kaniere

HARD
Time: 7 hours return. 7.6 km
Access: Signposted on Dorothy Falls Rd just south of Hans Bay.
Features: Best local access to open mountain tops. Panoramic views of Southern Alps, Lake Kaniere, coastal plains and Hokitika. Must be fit. Good footwear required.

The Hokitika i-SITE Visitor Centre is part of New Zealand's official nationwide Visitor Information Network and provides booking services for accommodation, activities, attractions, and travel as well as AA and driver licensing services.

LOCATION : Hokitika Beach

EASY 
Time: Take as long as you like.
Access: Readily accessible from Beach St, via Weld Lane, Sunset Point Rd and several other access roads (see map).
Features: Wonderful wild beach, black sand and pebbles (including pounamu-jade), driftwood, mountain views, sunsets, sunrise, and starry nights. Walks, picnicking, fossicking for pebbles and driftwood, sandcastles, swimming (for the experienced only), surfing, and surfcasting. Keep your eyes open for the Little Blue Penguin but please respect their space!

LOCATION : Lake Kaniere

EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok
Time: 10 minutes return- 600 m
Access: Sunny Bight picnic area.
Features: Best short loop walk through fine virgin Kahikatea forest. Along the way you will notice small panels that identify tree and shrub species. 

LOCATION: Hokitika

GRADE 2

HALF DAY RIDES - FOUR DAY ADVENTURE

Half Day Rides

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

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

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

Full Day Rides

Greymouth to Kumara - An easy ride along coastline and along an historic tramway. 

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.

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. 

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

Four Day Adventure

Spin your own story as you visit interesting towns and see a variety of West Coast landscapes. Ride it either way - south to north is the easiest.

For more information, visit the West Coast Wilderness Trail website

LOCATION : Lake Kaniere

HARD MULTI-DAY 
Time: 4-5 days
Access: Turn off the Kokatahi/Lake Kaniere circuit road at the sign post “Access to Toaroha Valley”, cross the bridge over the Kokatahi River and follow the road as far as your vehicle will allow.  Farm gates should be left as they are found.  Permission to cross the farmland must be obtained from the leaseholder, Terry Sheridan, telephone +64 3 755 7967. Alternatively access can be gained from the Whitcombe Valley Road (Hokitika Gorge Road) and the route walked in the reverse order to that described below.
Features: This is a classic West Coast trail. This route traverses rugged river valleys and crosses two alpine saddles. The alpine sections demand experience and good route finding skills in other than fine weather conditions. Throughout winter and into late spring the alpine areas will have a cover of snow. 

See DoC for up to date track and weather information. 

LOCATION: Lake Mahinapua

EASY - Buggies / Strollers ok
Time: 10 minute loop
Access:  At southern end of camping area
Features: Pretty sand dune forest & circles an old black sand gold dredge pond. Abundant wildlife.

LOCATION: Ross

MODERATE / HARD 
Time: 7 hours return. 18 km
Access: Start from the Ross Goldfields carpark, along the DOC track from the left hand corner which joins the Mount Greenland 4WD road.
Features: Rough unmaintained road to the top of Mount Greenland. Old miner's pack track through tall rimu with cover of sub-alpine vegetation at top (905m). 360 degree views on a good day. This is a long tramp and good footwear is essential. NB: The road continues steeply downhill to the site of the old mining village at the back of Mt Greenland. This will add several hours to the journey and is therefore not recommended as a day walk.

LOCATION: Awatuna / Golsborough

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. 

LOCATION : Lake Kaniere

EASY
Time: 15 minutes one way.
Access: Carpark opposite Milltown Road.
Features: Small inlet on the north eastern shores of the lake. Best short walk through fine rimu forest. Ends at sheltered swimming and picnic beach.

Stay with us at Scenic Waterways Retreat! We are an eco-tourism business providing accommodation, wholesome food, eco cruises and freedom kayak hire on one of New Zealand's most highly valued wetlands. We provide bike hire to cycle a spectacular section on the west coast wilderness trail, and hire out our wonderful hot tubs.

We aim to enrich our clients' appreciation of our natural surroundings, it's unique biodiversity, and provide them a setting to relax, recharge, and restore before returning to their daily pressures of life.

Whether you're looking for an action-packed zipline rush or a serene forest walk, we've got you covered for an unforgettable experience. Step off our 47m high tower and Zip through the lush native forest at heart-racing speeds of over 60km/h for the ride of your life! After your thrilling zipline adventure, take a peaceful stroll along our tree-tip walkway that meanders through beautiful native forests, 20m above the ground. Cap off your incredible experience with a relaxing drink or bite to eat at our cafe, and a browse through our retail space.

LOCATION : Hokitika Town

EASY 
Time: 10 minutes return
Access: Carpark on Town Belt East.
Features: Best example of the kahikatea forest that once covered most of Hokitika township area. Regrowth forest but already 20+ metres high. Also delightful native ferns and orchids. 

LOCATION : Lake Kaniere

MODERATE 
Time: 4 hours one way
Access: Carpark just south of southern end of lake. Follows western shore of lake. Ends at Sunny Bight at northern end of lake. 
Features: Lush forest, great lake and mountain views, bays and beaches. Open to mountain biking. 

LOCATION: Lake Kaniere

EASY/MODERATE
Time: (Walk) 3-4 hours return or 1 hour return (option)
Access: Carpark at the landing at the Northern end of Lake Kaniere. Ends at Kennedy Creek near the Kaniere Forks Power Station. A shorter, easier section from the landing to Wards Road (1 hour return) is most popular.
Features: This track follows an historic, but still used, Kaniere Forks power station water race, through virgin and regrowth forest. Freshwater mussels, cray and the odd trout may be spotted. Open to mountain biking.

LOCATION: Hokitika

MODERATE / HARD
Time: Make a day of it!

A network of excellent tracks maintained by the West Coast Mountain Bike Club. All are within easy biking distance of Hokitika township. Information on these tracks and the maps are available at Hokitika Cycles and Sportsworld. These tracks, including one built for the Nationals, offer intermediate and advanced riders access to great views of the mountains and sea, jumps, and fun challenges including a ride through an old gold mining tunnel. 

Whether it is a multi-day or just a day ride, Cycle Journeys is your local cycling tour specialist personalising your adventure on the West Coast Wilderness Trail and the Paparoa Track. Their worry-free service includes bike hire, shuttle service, luggage transfer and accommodation booking. The team is also doing a tonne of good. With their 'Leave Better' Programme they give back to their trails, so the trails can give back to you.

LOCATION : Lake Kaniere

HARD MULTI-DAY 
Time: 3-4days one way to Whitcombe Pass
Access: Access from Hokitika is via the Kaniere/Kowhitirangi Road travelling toward the Hokitika Gorge some 30 km inland from Hokitika. After leaving the sealed road, cross two concrete bridges (Diedrich and Granite Creeks). A side road to the left some 100 metres past the second bridge leads to the Whitcombe road end. This side road is signposted “Access to Whitcombe Valley”. The road is prone to flooding part way along and is sometimes left impassable to vehicles. A gate part way in is sometimes locked. At this point there is good parking for vehicles. Beyond the gate the road is suitable for 4WD vehicles only.
Features: This is a classic Trans Alpine trail. The Whitcombe Pass Track takes you through the very rugged bush clad valleys of the lower Hokitika and Whitcombe Rivers to the Main Divide for stunning views. Image: Brian Dobble

See DoC for up to date track and weather information. 

LOCATION : Rimu / Woodstock

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.

Greenstone Retreat: An enchanting Wellness Retreat with boutique simple accommodation and camping nestled among organic gardens and rainforest in Kumara. “In the middle of everywhere and away from it all!”. Regular yoga, holistic events and therapists to compliment the West Coast Wilderness Trail and other relaxing adventures. Dogs and children welcome.

We offer breathtaking tours to New Zealand's most beautiful untouched destinations. Our helicopter tours are based out of Hokitika. Wherever you want to go, whatever you'd like to see, we can take you there.

 Our tours take you to remarkable destinations off the beaten track. 

All our pilots have fantastic local knowledge and can assist you when choosing the best flight to suit your plans. We operate a range of tidy Helicopters, with spacious seats and great viewing windows. While on your flight, we will give you running commentary on the local history of the area.

LOCATION : Awatuna/Goldsborough

MODERATE 
Time: 1.5 hour loop
Access: Starts at Goldsborough camping area, crosses creek and climbs via German Gully Track to Scandinavian Hill Road. Turn north here and return by Goffs Track and part of the Goldsborough Track.
Features: Historic goldmining features in regrowth native forest.

LOCATION: Ross

EASY / MODERATE
Time: 1 hour loop.
Access: Walk starts from Ross Visitor Centre.
Features: Follows Mt Greenland Rd up Jones Creek and 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.

National Kiwi Centre is situated in the heart of Hokitika in an undercover facility that provides viewing of kiwi in a nocturnal house that replicates their natural environment. View New Zealand’s oldest living dinosaur, the tuatara.  Take part in the giant eel feeding (10am, 12 noon and 3pm daily). After the eel feedings, watch the Kiwi being feed. Catch & release a freshwater crayfish (koura) in our lake area - fun for all ages! We have plenty of other to look at, and it's all inside so no getting wet on that rainy day.

LOCATION : Hokitika Gorge

EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok
Time: 1 hour loop track
Access: The Hokitika Gorge is 33kms from Hokitika. The road is signposted the whole way - look for the yellow signs that say Hokitika Gorge and be prepared for a lot of turning!
Features: Sometimes you see photos of a tourist spot and think yeah right, it can’t look as good as that in real life. The Hokitika Gorge is one of those places. Wheelchair accessible viewpoint overlooking a magnificent granite gorge with milky blue-green pools, backed by cliffs and fine rimu forest. Head further along to a swingbridge and then the edge of the Gorge itself. Take care as some dropoffs on the south bank.

LOCATION : Mahinapua

EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok
Time: 20 minutes return.
Access: Carpark 9km south of Hokitika just off SH6.
Features: Intriguing walk through rare remnant of sand dune totara forest. Wonderful lonely driftwood-strewn beach.

Located on the State Highway 6 roadside at the northern town entrance. Parking available but can be walked to from town.
A 50 meter track leads to Glow-worm Dell - 5 minutes return. Buggies/Strollers ok. Free viewing of glow-worm colonies. Please note that Glow-worms can only be seen at night! Flashlight recommended.

LOCATION: Mahinapua

EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok
Time: 2 hours (walk) one way. 6 km
Access: 8km south of Hokitika on SH6, or start 3km from Rimu on Rimu-Ross Rd
Features: Follows old logging tramway route through a cross section of West Coast bush history. It crosses a diverse range of landscapes including board walked wetlands, natural terrace rimu forest and regenerating native forest and pine, eucalypt and monterey cypress plantings. Detour to lakeside Picnic Point along fine rimu-forest ridge worthwhile (40 minute return trip detour to Picnic Point). Open to mountain biking as well. 

LOCATION : Lake Kaniere

HARD DAY HIKE OR MULTI-DAY
Time: 1-2 days
Access: Access to Mount Brown is off the eastern Lake Kaniere gravel road near Slip Bay.
Features: Steep climb up to amazing views of the Alps, Lake Kaniere and the coast. Mount Brown Hut (4-bunk) was relocated by DOC from the Lower Arahura and that and the track are now maintained by a group of volunteers (Permolat). Hike up to the hut for lunch or stay overnight. Loop available via the Styx River.

See DoC for up to date track and weather information.

LOCATION : Lake Mahinapua

EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok
Time: 15 minutes one way
Access: From lake access road. Ends close to camping area
Features: Tree ferns, kamahi and totara forest on old sand dunes. Small panels identify tree and shrub species. Fun for the kids.

LOCATION : Lake Mahinapua

EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok
Time: 15 min one way

Access: North of the main lake carpark and camping area.
Features: Leads to a very small but secluded beach through native bush.

LOCATION : Hokitika Beach

EASY 
Time: 5 minutes walk from town centre.
Access: By foot, along beach, beach track, or Quayside section of Heritage Walk. By road via Sunset Point Rd.
Features: Sunsets, sunrises & starry nights. Hokitika rivermouth & beach. Views of Aoraki Mount Cook & Tasman (Horo Kawau). Tambo ‘shipwreck’. Information panels. Walks, picnicing, beach fossicking, fishing, & whitebaiting.