Beaches, lakes & coastline
Lake Kaniere
About
Lake Kaniere is one of the most beautiful lakes in New Zealand and offers opportunity for a number of water sports. There are also several picnic places, a camping area, and numerous short walks.
Price
Free. Campsite fees apply.
More information
Lake Kaniere activities:
- Boating with a boat ramp
- Jumping off the jetty
- Water skiing
- Fishing for perch, salmon, rainbow and brown trout
- Mountain biking
- Walks
- Birdwatching for bellbird, kereru and tui
- Dorothy Falls
- Tramping
- Camping
Kaniere Water Race Walkway
This track is part of the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Bike or walk the twists and turns and follow the water race of the historic power station. Start at the Landing and end at Kennedy Creek. For an easier 1 hour option stop at Ward.
Canoe Cove Walk
15min one way, 650m.
Canoe cove is a small inlet at the head of Lake Kaniere. It is accessed via a track which begins at the carpark opposite the Hans Bay Road/ Milltown Road junction. This walk leads through dense stands of rimu and kahikatea forest to a sheltered sandy beach suitable for picnics and swimming.
Dorothy Falls
2 mins one way. About 3.5 km from Hans Bay along Dorothy Falls Road, a short walk leads to the base of Dorothy Falls - a lovely spot for a refreshing dip.
Dorothy Creek Beach Walk
5 mins one way, 250m.
Opposite Dorothy Falls another short section of track takes you on a five minute walk to the lake edge.
Kahikatea Forest Walk
10min loop walk, 600m.
From the Sunny Bight picnic area this is an easy 10 minute loop walk. The walk follows Sunny Bight Creek and passes through virgin Kahikatea forest before returning to the picnic area via a boardwalk over a flax swamp.
Mount Tuhua Track
This is a steep tramp to the open tussock peak of Mt. Tuhua (1125 m) and is suitable for fit people only, allow 7 hours.
The track begins at Lake Kaniere, from the southern end of Hans Bay. The signposted entrance is on the southern side of Tuhua Creek Bridge.
This track to the open tussock peak of Mt Tuhua (1,125 m) is steep and is suitable for fit trampers only. The track is marked with orange triangles for its entire length. Check weather and track conditions before setting out.
This is a large, grassy lake-front campsite beside beautiful Lake Kaniere. Fish from the jetty, boat or swim in the lake.
Fees per night, per person:
- Adult (18+ years) $8
- Child (5-17 years) $4
- Infant (0 - 4 years) free
Directions
Turn at the Bella Vista Hotel on Fitzherbert Street, follow Stafford Street past Westland Milk Products factory where the road will change to Lake Kaniere Road. Past the petrol station you will come to 2 options in the road, take the left along Lake Kaniere Road. The Landing is where the road splits to Sunny Bight (many locals use this side of the lake for boating, bbqs and picnics) and the other option is to go to Hans Bay. In Hans Bay is a jetty, an island on the lake, swings, grassy area for sitting, holiday homes and a campsite. If you choose to follow the one lane gravel road you will go to Dorothy Falls and on to the Hokitika Gorge, please take care on this road.
Get directions
Related Listings
Hokitika
Junction Cafe and Honey Centre freedom camper site
Parking for self-contained vehicles to say in overnight.
FREE
Learn more
Hokitika
Accommodation
Hokitika's Kiwi Holiday Park and Motels
We offer brand new accommodation options for all groups and budgets and also cater for cyclists riding the West Coast Wilderness Trail.
$40 - $175
Learn more
Hokitika
See & Do
West Coast Cycling - Jade Country
Walk or mountain bike along the western shores of Lake Kaniere through lush lakeside forest, passing many picturesque bays and numerous forest streams.
Learn more
Hokitika
See & Do
Arahura Greenstone Tours
This unique and original tour will lead you on a journey of discovery along the Arahura River - known as one of the richest sources of Pounamu (Greenstone) in New Zealand.
Learn more
Hokitika
Accommodation
Ross Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Welcome to our boutique, funky, couple friendly retreat with up cycled quirky shipping containers for accommodation, we are also Pet friendly if you have your own accommodation.
$40 - $210
Learn more
Hokitika
Accommodation
Beachfront Hotel Hokitika
The stunning Beachfront Hotel Hokitika is located in central Hokitika on New Zealand's West Coast and offers a wide range of quality accommodation, full dining, event facilities.