Hokitika, gateway to the South Westland World Heritage National Park, is on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island.
- Glowworm Dell. Located just off the main highway north of Hokitika, visit this dell at night to be surrounded by sparkling glowworms. They're about a minute walk in from the road, and while the path is dark, using a bright torch will make some of the glowworms turn off. The light of a phone screen is totally enough to see by.
- Hokitika Gorge. Some thirty minutes away from the town by car. Cross a swingbridge over stunning blue waters, on the 15 minute walk through forest to a viewing platform.
- The National Kiwi Centre, 64 Tancred St, Hokitika, +64 3 755 5251. summer 9AM–5PM; winter 9:30AM–4:30PM. An aquarium and kiwi house. Given that kiwis are so elusive, a kiwi house such as this is likely to be your only chance to see one in real life. You can also take part in feeding the giant eels which are approximately 85 to 100 years old, and learn a lot about them in the process. adult $26.
- Hokitika Museum, 17 Hamilton St, +64 3 755 6898. Museum has closed for an extended period for seismic strengthening starting in September 2019.
- Westland Industrial Heritage Park, Industrial Road. Volunteer run museum, with large machines in working order including sawmill engines, fire engines and tractors.
Glowworm Dell. Located just off the main highway north of Hokitika, visit this dell at night to be surrounded by sparkling glowworms. They're about a minute walk in from the road, and while the path is dark, using a bright torch will make some of the glowworms turn off. The light of a phone screen is totally enough to see by.
Hokitika Gorge. Some thirty minutes away from the town by car. Cross a swingbridge over stunning blue waters, on the 15 minute walk through forest to a viewing platform.
The National Kiwi Centre, 64 Tancred St, Hokitika, +64 3 755 5251. summer 9AM–5PM; winter 9:30AM–4:30PM. An aquarium and kiwi house. Given that kiwis are so elusive, a kiwi house such as this is likely to be your only chance to see one in real life. You can also take part in feeding the giant eels which are approximately 85 to 100 years old, and learn a lot about them in the process. adult $26.
Hokitika Museum, 17 Hamilton St, +64 3 755 6898. Museum has closed for an extended period for seismic strengthening starting in September 2019.
Westland Industrial Heritage Park, Industrial Road. Volunteer run museum, with large machines in working order including sawmill engines, fire engines and tractors.
- Wildfoods Festival. Annual food festival serving foods that range from the benign to the absolute wildest (paua titties (roe), bull, lamb and goat testicles) you could consider. Usually held in March.
- Carve some greenstone (jade).
- West Coast Treetop Walkway, 1128 Woodstock-Rimu Road. Oct - Apr 9AM – 4:15PM; May - Sep 9AM – 3:15PM. Walk along a 450m long steel platform at tree-top height (20m off the ground). Adult $32.
Wildfoods Festival. Annual food festival serving foods that range from the benign to the absolute wildest (paua titties (roe), bull, lamb and goat testicles) you could consider. Usually held in March.
Carve some greenstone (jade).
West Coast Treetop Walkway, 1128 Woodstock-Rimu Road. Oct - Apr 9AM – 4:15PM; May - Sep 9AM – 3:15PM. Walk along a 450m long steel platform at tree-top height (20m off the ground). Adult $32.
- Hand blown glass. Watch them make beautiful pieces of glass and then make a few purchases at the Hokitika Glass Works.
- Pounamu. This nephrite jade is found only on the West Coast, and its harvest and sale is governed by Ngai Tahu. There are a variety of pounamu stores, mainly along Weld and Tancred Streets. Beware some shops selling Canadian jade carved in China - if the price looks too good to be true, it's probably not pounamu. You can see Ngati Waewae carvers in action and buy verified pounamu carvings at Te Waipounamu Maori Heritage Centre, on the corner of Weld & Sewell.
Hand blown glass. Watch them make beautiful pieces of glass and then make a few purchases at the Hokitika Glass Works.
Pounamu. This nephrite jade is found only on the West Coast, and its harvest and sale is governed by Ngai Tahu. There are a variety of pounamu stores, mainly along Weld and Tancred Streets. Beware some shops selling Canadian jade carved in China - if the price looks too good to be true, it's probably not pounamu. You can see Ngati Waewae carvers in action and buy verified pounamu carvings at Te Waipounamu Maori Heritage Centre, on the corner of Weld & Sewell.
- Hokitika New World, 116 Revell Street. daily 8AM - 9PM. supermarket
- Four Square, 140 Stafford St. M-F 7AM - 9PM; Sa-Su 8AM - 9PM. small supermarket
Hokitika New World, 116 Revell Street. daily 8AM - 9PM. supermarket
Four Square, 140 Stafford St. M-F 7AM - 9PM; Sa-Su 8AM - 9PM. small supermarket
North:
- Greymouth and Shantytown (a bit before Greymouth and 20 minutes drive from Hokitika)
- Punakaiki Blowholes – an hour and a half drive South:
- Ross
- Franz Josef Glacier – two hours drive on State Highway 6
- Fox Glacier – the bigger and less crowded glacier, 2.5 hours drive