Hokitika

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.

Built in 1908, the historic Carnegie building currently houses a number of the district’s museum exhibits and treasures. Located in the heart of Hokitika, the building is easily accessible to visitors and entry is free. Come and explore our region’s colourful history!

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.

LOCATION: Hokitika Town

EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok
Time: 1-2 hours
Access: From i-Site or any point along the walk. 
Features: A great way to see the town centre and learn about Hokitika's history and culture. This self-guided walk features Take-a-Seat artseats, public art displays and historical monuments and buildings. Get a town map showing the whole walk and a Heritage Trail brochure which provides information about the historical points of interest. Both available from the Visitor i-Site.

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.

If you are a person who desires a culturally authentic experience that is reflective of the local people, and shares their history and ancient legends in a way that resonates with you, by being hands on and actively involved, yet at one with the river.

Then join us and our guides for a tour that is led from the heart and let the pounamu call to you as a gift from the river.

Our tours cannot be replicated anywhere else in the world, as the connection to the river and local people is interwined in history and holds true to the values of Kati Waewae tribe, guardians of the Arahura river.

The last private river on earth.

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: 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 : 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.

LOCATION: Hokitika Town

EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok 
Time: 30 min for quayside and central town features, longer if you want to see the whole thing.
Access: From i-Site and Museum, or any point along the walk. 
Features: Goldrush and river-port town historic heritage sites, buildings and statues. Brochure and information panels bring history to life. Many sites included on the Town Centre Points of Interest Loop. Request a brochure showing the whole walk from the Visitor i-Site.

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

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 : 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 : 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.

Beautiful refurbished Art Deco Theatre and Cafe. See all the latest movies on the Big Screen with latest digital projection technology and surround sound. Check hokitikaregent.com for movie session times, live shows, other events and online bookings.

Hokitika’s swimming pool is an iconic place for the town, where much of the community has treasured memories and learned to swim. The facility offers training lanes, a hot tub, toddler pool, swimming lessons, fitness classes and is available for private hire. Opening hours are 6am – 8pm Monday to Thursday, 6am – 5pm Friday and 8am – 5pm weekends.

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. 

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 : 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.

LOCATION : Ross

EASY 
Time: 10 min one way
Access: Walk starts from the top of St James Street near Visitor Centre.
Features: Part of the Ross Water Race Walkway. Short zig zags uphill before entering the Cemetery. Interesting headstones and great views.

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 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.

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/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 : 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.

Mahinapua Links

Play on one of New Zealand’s few true links courses at Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island with views of Aoraki / Mount Cook, Mt Tasman and the majestic Southern Alps.
Cool Idea | Putt around

Grab your clubs and play on a links course with amazing views of Aoraki Mount Cook.

• Just 3 minutes south of Hokitika, (first right turn over the Hokitika River bridge).
• The links are open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year and bookings are not required.
• Greens fees on this unique links are a modest for all players except students under 18 who get an even better deal.
• Club hire - Heritage Highway Motels, Ph. 03 755 8098

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 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 : 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.

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 : 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. 

Easy access for all to enjoy along a steel platform 20 metres high and over 450 metres long.
An exhilarating treetop adventure among temperate rainforest giants. Experience life with the birds high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. Gently sway in harmony with the forest on the Mahinapua Springboard. View the exquisite Lake Mahinapua through the richly diverse forest foliage. Thrill seekers will feel their heart pump and the adrenalin rush as they climb to the top of the Tower 47 metres above the forest floor. Be inspired by a sensational vista of the majestic snow-capped Southern Alps, Lake Mahinapua and the Tasman sea.

Bonz n Stonz provides a traditional jade, cone or shell carving experience. Design and carve your own piece or shop online.

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.

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.

LOCATION: Hokitika Town

EASY
Time:  A 10 minute ride for quayside and central town features, longer if you want to see the whole thing.
Access: From i-Site and Museum, or any point along the sign posted trail. 
Features: Goldrush and river-port town historic heritage sites, buildings and statues. Brochure and information panels bring history to life. Many sites included on the Town Centre Points of Interest Loop. Request a brochure showing the whole walk from the Visitor i-Site.

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.

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.

Holidays are all about new experiences, relaxation and having fun. Take the advice from the local experts at the i-SITE and you are guaranteed the best deal, because we’ve done NZ from top to toe. Open 7 days.

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. 

Westland Industrial Heritage Park is a working museum with a variety of displays and ongoing projects. The dedicated volunteers' passion for restoring Westland's industrial past to running condition for public display has resulted in the park becoming a vibrant and dynamic family tourist attraction.

"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: 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.

The Pounamu Pathway is an immersive storytelling experience delivered in four unique and linked hubs across the West Coast/Te Tai o Poutini, with hubs Westport/Kawatiri, Māwhera/Greymouth open NOW and opening SOON in Haast/Awarua and HOKITIKA

Immerse yourself in the natural and cultural beauty of the West Coast/Te Tai o Poutini.

Follow the website link to Book Your Experience at the Māwhera/Greymouth Pounamu Pathway Hub.

HOKITIKA POUNAMU PATHWAY EXPERIENCE COMING SOON!!!

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 : 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: 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. 

Hokitika History Walk with Ann.

Join me in a 1.5 hour guided walk of Hokitika Town. Here we’ll view the buildings the goldrush created. You’ll hear how Hokitika’s port was a main entry point into New Zealand and how life was from the 1860s onwards.

Contact me directly phone 0276589088

e: annstours234@gmail.com or book via the Hokitika i site.

Tours are on demand. Minimum of 2 people.