LITTLE EXPLORERS, BIG ADVENTURES
23 JANUARY 2024
Hokitika is such a cool town! It's located in the West Coast Region in New Zealand and even though it's a small town, it has so much to offer. We love staying in Hokitika (or Hoki, as the locals call it) because of the rugged beaches where we can toast marshmallows on the fire, collect pretty rocks and make driftwood huts, as well as spending time by the beautiful blue rivers and lakes in the area. It's home to one of our FAV sandwich shops in New Zealand and we love all of the lush rainforest walks too.
Get Bluewn Away
Hokitika is most famous for the Hokitika Gorge - a gorge surrounded by native bush and filled with the most beautiful milky blue water. It's a natural attraction that draws in thousands of visitors a year... and for good reason... just look at that water!
The track takes around 1.5 hours and is mostly flat and through the forest, over swing bridges and alongside the river, which makes it the perfect track for families. Do note that the water isn't always this blue, usually only if it hasn't rained for a couple of days, otherwise it can be a milky grey colour!).
The track takes around 1.5 hours and is mostly flat and through the forest, over swing bridges and alongside the river, which makes it the perfect track for families. Do note that the water isn't always this blue, usually only if it hasn't rained for a couple of days, otherwise it can be a milky grey colour!).
Become a T
Getting a photo with the Hokitika sign is almost a right of passage for travellers.
Step 1: Stand in front of the T
Step 2: Stretch out your arms to pretend to be the T
Step 3: Smile for the camera!
It's located along the beachfront and is made entirely of driftwood. We ended up making one down by the shipwreck (Bella's idea!) and loads of tourists were taking photos of it, which Bella thought was THE BEST THING EVER!
The other signs all light up at night, which is super pretty to look at!
Step 1: Stand in front of the T
Step 2: Stretch out your arms to pretend to be the T
Step 3: Smile for the camera!
It's located along the beachfront and is made entirely of driftwood. We ended up making one down by the shipwreck (Bella's idea!) and loads of tourists were taking photos of it, which Bella thought was THE BEST THING EVER!
The other signs all light up at night, which is super pretty to look at!
Cool Off At The Carew Falls
Tucked away in the wilderness around Lake Brunner, Carew Falls is a real hidden treasure. The 45 min walk (one way) through the rainforest is incredibly beautiful and there are always things to see along the way and it's ideal on a hot or wet day as the track is mostly covered.
The showstopper is the Carew Falls at the end of the track, where water falls from high above, cascading down the rocks, creating clear pools of water at the base of the waterfall. We did this track in one of the cooler months but imagine it would be a great place to cool off on a hot day.
The showstopper is the Carew Falls at the end of the track, where water falls from high above, cascading down the rocks, creating clear pools of water at the base of the waterfall. We did this track in one of the cooler months but imagine it would be a great place to cool off on a hot day.
Get Ya Books Shaking!
Walking high above the West Coast rainforest is a pretty cool experience, especially when you can see the snowy Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea in the distance. It's something really unique to do while you're in Hokitika and the tower is the highlight of the trip for most (NOT me!).The tower is 47 metres high (cries in acrophobia) and is sure to get your legs shaking a bit! I didn't make it to the top, I tried, but Lath took the girls up... I was more than happy to stand at the base and get pics of them all! There is also a zipline that goes from the top of the tower back to the start of the track.
It took us around 20-minutes to do the track, so it's a quickish walk for a high cost but it's all about the experience, right? Especially if you're looking for a bit of thrill mixed with lovely views.
It took us around 20-minutes to do the track, so it's a quickish walk for a high cost but it's all about the experience, right? Especially if you're looking for a bit of thrill mixed with lovely views.
See Little Blue Bums
This is one of our favourite spots in Hokitika and we're stoked that it's free! At night, the glowworm dell comes alive with little blue glowworm bums shining brightly and it's a hit for all ages. I remember doing a couple of nighttime events when I was a kid that was waaaay past my bed time and it was so much fun! In summer, the kids have to wait up super late to experience the dell, but in winter you should be good to go just after dinner!
The dell is just a 1-minute walk from the carpark and is fenced off so you can't touch and/or destroy the glowworm threads. Remember to take a torch to see where you're going!
The dell is just a 1-minute walk from the carpark and is fenced off so you can't touch and/or destroy the glowworm threads. Remember to take a torch to see where you're going!
Search For Greenstone At The Beach Or River
The beaches and lakes surrounding Hokitika are a hot spot for finding New Zealand jade, also known as pounamu/greenstone. It comes in all different shapes, sizes and colours, so do a Google search of what to look for, before you head out. The best place to see them clearly is at the tide line where the rocks are all wet. You'll most likely be one of many walking along in search of greenstone! This is a great activity on a rainy day too, just pop ya raincoat on and Bob's ya uncle!
We have found a few along Hokitika Beach as well as lots of other cool rocks we have collected.
We have found a few along Hokitika Beach as well as lots of other cool rocks we have collected.
Watch An Incredible Sunset At Hokitika Beach
The West Coast in New Zealand has some of the best sunsets to experience. Sunsets which fill the sky, land and bush with an incredible golden glow. Every sunset here is different and never seems to disappoint (unless it's raining, of course!).
To top it all off, there is so much driftwood on the beach to make a fire with, so you can enjoy that while the sun goes down.... best evening ever!
To top it all off, there is so much driftwood on the beach to make a fire with, so you can enjoy that while the sun goes down.... best evening ever!
Build A Beach Hut
There is a crazy amount of driftwood on Hokitika Beach, which is perfect for making huts with - it's dry, decent lengths and not likely to crumble once you've made your hut. Seriously, there are piles and piles of it all along the beach!
We loved watching the girls make the huts how they wanted to and we loved seeing them make it a 'house', with a kitchen, fire and seats. They played for ages every time we would head down to Hokitika Beach and luckily their hut was always just as we left it the time before.
We loved watching the girls make the huts how they wanted to and we loved seeing them make it a 'house', with a kitchen, fire and seats. They played for ages every time we would head down to Hokitika Beach and luckily their hut was always just as we left it the time before.
Take A Miniature Train Ride
We LOVE miniature train rides and have been on quite a few around New Zealand. The Westland Heritage Park are open Wednesdays & Saturdays 10am - 3pm and they offer cheap train rides through the bush, on miniature locomotives. The rides aren't long but it's so awesome seeing the smiles on the girls faces when we're chugging along.
As well as the train rides, there is lots of historic machinery exhibitions around the park, some of which you can touch, some are animated displays and some are for your eyes only.
As well as the train rides, there is lots of historic machinery exhibitions around the park, some of which you can touch, some are animated displays and some are for your eyes only.
Catch A Movie
The Regent Theatre in Hokitika is a small movie theatre that offers the latest movies showing. It was built in 1935 and opened in 1936 and is a beautiful art deco design There is a small candy bar with a few goodies and popcorn to purchase and there is a cafe inside the theatre. This is an ideal activity on a rainy day as there isn't much else to do indoors in Hoki!
The seats aren't the comfiest, I'm wondering if they are the originally 1935 seats, so don't expect to be sitting in pure bliss but it's not all that bad ;)
To find out more info and what's on, click here.
The seats aren't the comfiest, I'm wondering if they are the originally 1935 seats, so don't expect to be sitting in pure bliss but it's not all that bad ;)
To find out more info and what's on, click here.
Toast Some Marshmallows & Spot A Seal
There are few spots in New Zealand where beach fires are allowed and Hokitika is one of those beaches. Every time we come to Hokitika, we have a beach fire every day if possible, because why not! We love toasting marshmallows and have also made damper (like bread) and sausages on the fire. There is nothing better than food cooked on a fire... drooooool!
One day we were sitting around the fire and we saw a seal come in from the ocean! It was so surreal but not surprising as New Zealand is known for its amazing wildlife. You never know your luck at Hokitika Beach, you may just see one yourself.
One day we were sitting around the fire and we saw a seal come in from the ocean! It was so surreal but not surprising as New Zealand is known for its amazing wildlife. You never know your luck at Hokitika Beach, you may just see one yourself.
Explore Lake Kaniere
Lake Kaniere is 25 minutes from Hokitika and is a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains and rainforest. We enjoy chilling by the lake here and although we haven't been in summer yet, I imagine it's the perfect spot to swim. The shoreline by the main carpark has some 'sand' and the girls brought their Barbies here one day to play - they had a blast!
There are a couple of walks in the area that are short and flat, as well as the Dorothy Falls which are right beside the designated carpark.
There are a couple of walks in the area that are short and flat, as well as the Dorothy Falls which are right beside the designated carpark.
Visit The Lolly Shop
Box of Delights is on the main road in Hoki and has a huge selection of lollies and chocolates as well as ice cream for those sweet summer days. They serve real fruit ice cream or ice cream from the tub. We love the Dutch licorice and British bon bons from here mmm!
The giant ice cream and lollipop outside the store make for a great photo op!
The giant ice cream and lollipop outside the store make for a great photo op!
Get The Best Sandwich In Town (And Possibly NZ)
We're not usually massive sandwich fans because NZ doesn't exactly do sandwiches well (cheap white bread with some egg mayo, that's been sitting in the chiller for a few days!) but the first time we went to Hoki, we saw loads of people lining up at the Hokitika Sandwich Company and we decided to try one out. OH EM GEEEEEEEE!!! Everything is made to order and they even cut the meat to order! Our favourite is the Italian. They even have a kids menu for the sandwiches, where kids can choose their fillings. How cool is that? They also do bottomless Havana filter coffee (with cream, if you will).
Every person we have recommended this place to, have LOVED their sammies!
Click here for their menu and opening hours. They are usually super busy and we often had to wait around 20-minutes for our order, so ordering online or calling ahead is ideal.
Every person we have recommended this place to, have LOVED their sammies!
Click here for their menu and opening hours. They are usually super busy and we often had to wait around 20-minutes for our order, so ordering online or calling ahead is ideal.
Have An Arrrr-mazing Adventure
Avast, me hearties! In the fine town of Hokitika, there be a handful of playgrounds but none as mighty as the Lazar Park playground. This be the haven where the wee scallywags can abandon ship (or slide down the plank, if ye will).
The playground has a grand climbing net, a towering climb-worthy mast, a slippery slide fit for buccaneers, a merry go round that even welcomes landlubbers in wheelchairs and ample seats for the parental crew to rest their sea legs.
Navigate to this treasure trove by clicking here and let the adventure begin!
The playground has a grand climbing net, a towering climb-worthy mast, a slippery slide fit for buccaneers, a merry go round that even welcomes landlubbers in wheelchairs and ample seats for the parental crew to rest their sea legs.
Navigate to this treasure trove by clicking here and let the adventure begin!
Tunnel Terrace Track
This family-friendly walk winds through native bush and uncovers remnants of the area's gold-mining history, which is such a cool, real life history lesson for the kids! There are a few old gold mining tunnels to look at (but you can't enter as they are unstable) and subtle hints along the way, that this used to be a big area for gold mining.
It's a fairly easy track that's mostly flat, with a few stairs. It's not the most exciting track on the West Coast by any means, but it's pretty exciting walking through a tunnel at the start of the track!
It's a fairly easy track that's mostly flat, with a few stairs. It's not the most exciting track on the West Coast by any means, but it's pretty exciting walking through a tunnel at the start of the track!
Walk The Mananui Bush To Beach Track
This is a short walk in Hokitika that's pretty cool as you trek through the bush to get to the beach. Most beaches in New Zealand require you to park up and walk on grass to the sand, so we thought this was pretty cool!
The bush was full of all sorts of weird and wonderful things to inspect and photograph and we found heaps of beautiful stones on the beach. It was so quiet and we had the whole place to ourselves! It felt so isolated and it was just perfect to relax at. We found some driftwood and made a fire and cooked some marshmallows - yum, yum!
The bush was full of all sorts of weird and wonderful things to inspect and photograph and we found heaps of beautiful stones on the beach. It was so quiet and we had the whole place to ourselves! It felt so isolated and it was just perfect to relax at. We found some driftwood and made a fire and cooked some marshmallows - yum, yum!
Do The Monster Mash
Fun Fact: Hokitika was the first place in New Zealand to do roller skating! The girls got inline skates for Christmas (2023) and every opportunity we get in a new town, we check out the skating rink or any local clubs and join their casual skating classes. We were in Hokitika for Halloween 2023 and we saw a Halloween skate party, to which we said HELL YEAH! It was the girls first time on skates and they LOVED it. The decorations were awesome, the adults were so helpful with tips on how to skate and the music took me right back to my childhood Halloween memories!
Click here to see when the casual classes are on in Hokitika, where kids can hire the skates (and maybe adults too?) and have an awesome time!
Click here to see when the casual classes are on in Hokitika, where kids can hire the skates (and maybe adults too?) and have an awesome time!
Find REAL Gold!
There are loads of designated gold fossicking areas around New Zealand, with most being on the West Coast region, due to the amount of alluvial gold left over from the gold mining era. We tried our luck with gold panning at Shamrock Creek in Goldsborough, just outside of Hokitika, and we found this to be a super popular spot for gold enthusiasts!
More to do in New Zealand
CANNIBAL BAY
OTAGO Along the wild coast of Catlins is a beautiful beach with white sand, huge cliffs and even a colony of sea lions to photograph.
|
COWANS HILL WALKWAY
CANTERBURY A beautiful and peaceful walk up the back of Tekapo, full of lupins in Nov - Jan if you go down the right track. Great mountain views!
|
KEA POINT TRACK
CANTERBURY Discover the hidden gems of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park on the 1-hour Kea Point Track. You won't be disappointed!
|
SEND US A MESSAGE, WE LOVE GETTING MAIL! |
DISCOVER |
FOLLOW USBORING (BUT IMPORTANT LEGAL) STUFF |