Must see
Hokitika Gorge
About
The Hokitika Gorge is 33kms from Hokitika. The vivid turquoise water surrounded by lush native bush is well worth a visit.
Price
Free
More information
Sometimes you see photos of a tourist spot and think it can’t look as good as that in real life. The Hokitika Gorge really does look that good, if not better.
Hokitika Gorge is a short walk from the car park through a mainly rimu and podocarp forest to a viewing platform where the water has to be seen to be believed.
An awesome viewing platform is just 4 minutes from the car park and this part of the track is accessible for wheelchairs.
Carry on further to an impressive swing bridge and the granite rocks of the gorge's walls.
For good views further up the gorge, cross the swing bridge and when you come to the end, turn left (straight ahead leads to private farmland).
The track continues for another 200m through the bush to another viewing platform with looking out to the gorge upstream of the bridge.
Directions
The road is signposted the whole way - look for the yellow signs that say Hokitika Gorge and be prepared for a lot of turning. Turn inland (East) on Stafford St from SH6/Fitzherbert St - this changes into Kaniere Road. Veer right onto Kaniere-Kowhitirangi Road. At the T junction, turn right to stay on Kaniere-Kowhitirangi Road. Go over one-way bridge and at the first 4-way road junction, turn left to stay on Kaniere-Kowhitirangi Road, go one country block and turn right to stay on Kaniere-Kowhitirangi Road. Go one country block and turn left onto Johnston Road. Go one country block and turn right onto Nielson Road. Go one country block and veer left onto Whitcombe Valley Road. Follow this road until the Hokitika Gorge car park.
Get directions
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