Hokitika Gorge
EXPERIENCE NATURE’S COLOURS
A true photogenic gem — brilliant turquoise water fringed with stark white limestone cliffs and lush green rainforest — Hokitika Gorge is one of the West Coast’s most instantly recognisable scenes.
It’s also one of the easiest to access. An easy, well-formed forest trail leads to this visual feast representing nature’s most glorious colour palette.
Hokitika Gorge, West Coast
Hokitika Gorge is a photogenic gem of turquoise waters, white granite cliffs and lush green forest.
NATURAL FORCES & BEAUTY
Ice, water, rock and age-old natural forces helped create the visual beauty of the Hokitika Gorge.
Glaciers ground the fine rock sediment that adds the essential element for highlighting the super blue-green water and helped work its way through the white granite bedrock. A clear blue West Coast sky helps enhance those colours but any day is a beautiful day at Hokitika Gorge.
These same glacial waters also carry precious pounamu (New Zealand jade/greenstone) from the mountains down to the sea. It’s one of several river sources around Hokitika making this cool little town the pounamu capital of the world.
Hokitika Gorge walk
A gentle walkway through rainforest leads to several viewpoints over the stunning Hokitika Gorge.
HOKITIKA GORGE WALK
Everybody’s highlight destination, the Hokitika Gorge Walk offers the West Coast’s easiest, most scenically satisfying experience, accessible right through the seasons, rain and shine.
It’s an easy stroll following the trail through mature forest along the banks of the Hokitika River and to the sheer rocky gorge flowing with extraordinarily turquoise blue water. Other highlights include an impressive swing bridge across the river, several viewpoints with spectacular views, curving boardwalks and access down to a small beach.
The beautifully-formed walkway (2.4 km / 1 hr 30 in and out) is pushchair and child-friendly, and the track is accessible for wheelchairs with assistance.
Times and distances (one way)
- Upper Gorge suspension bridge: 900 m, 30 min
- Lower Gorge viewing platform: 1.2 km, 45 mins
Hokitika pounamu
Beautiful carved pounamu — New Zealand jade — from Hokitika ‘the pounamu capital’ and home to many accomplished artists.
HOKITIKA — COOL LITTLE TOWN
Hokitika Gorge is just one reason to visit Hokitika. This quirky little town, sitting pretty on the banks of the river and beside the mighty Tasman Sea, is a hub of creativity, where larger-than-life driftwood sculptures populate the wild beach and glorious sunsets complete the day.
Visit the workshops of pounamu, bone and glass artists or fossick for precious pounamu pebbles on the beach. A friendly little town with impressively wide streets harking back to gold rush days, Hokitika boasts a full range of accommodation and hospitality.
Out of town scenic highlights include luscious lakes — Kaniere and Mahinapua, the historic West Coast waterways and a tree top walkway experience. Hokitika is an important hub for cyclists on the West Coast Wilderness Trail.
Hokitika Gorge
Photo stop while crossing the 90 metre suspension bridge over the Hokitika Gorge.
GETTING TO HOKITIKA GORGE
Hokitika is on SH6, an easy 30-minute drive south of Greymouth and 1 hr 45 min north of Franz Josef. Tours to the gorge operate from Hokitika.
The Hokitika Gorge Scenic Reserve is a 33 km (30 min) drive east from Hokitika.
Top things to do near Hokitika Gorge
Deals, Accomodation and Activities
Hokitika Museum
The Hokitika Museum is a regional museum located in the heart of Te Tai Poutini - West Coast. What began in 1869, in the new Town Hall, as the “Museum Room” grew into the West Coast’s largest museum and archive.
Learn more
Explore Hokitika
Beachside Hokitika has a cool, quirky vibe fuelled by an arty community, vibrant hospitality scene, and inspiring West Coast landscapes.
Learn more
Hokitika Sandwich Company
Fresh cut Sandwiches made to order with quality local ingredients on the beautiful West Coast of New Zealand.
Learn more
Hokitika Museum
The Hokitika Museum is a regional museum located in the heart of Te Tai Poutini - West Coast. What began in 1869, in the new Town Hall, as the “Museum Room” grew into the West Coast’s largest museum and archive.
Learn more
Explore Hokitika
Beachside Hokitika has a cool, quirky vibe fuelled by an arty community, vibrant hospitality scene, and inspiring West Coast landscapes.
Learn more
Hokitika Sandwich Company
Fresh cut Sandwiches made to order with quality local ingredients on the beautiful West Coast of New Zealand.
Learn moreCheck out more highlights
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