The Hokitika Gorge (33km from Hokitika) is truly one of the most beautiful places in New Zealand. The beautiful turquoise blue water is quite breathtaking as is the gorge itself. Further up the gorge the rough water is popular with adventure kayakers and is quite challenging.
There is a small parking area at the start of the very short track down to the swing bridge. At the other end of the swing bridge follow the short track that goes off to the left and down to the rocks and a good area to take photographs. Make sure you take insect repellant as the sandflies love visitors.
For those that want to tramp that bit further a well signposted track takes you across the swing bridge and up the Hokitika River. Detailed information on 1 to 3 day tramps to destinations such as Grass Flats, Cedar Flat, and Mt Brown are available from the Department of Conservation in Sewell Street, Hokitika.
- Access: To get to the gorge you follow the signposts from Hokitika through Kaniere township and out through the Kokatahi and kowhitirangi farming areas.
- Location: view map
Hokitika Gorge Track & Kowhitirangi Incident Memorial
Easy
Time: 2 min to bridge + 5 min scramble on riverside
Access: 25km east of Hokitika at end of Kowhitirangi & Whitcombe Rds.(Passes Kowhitirangi Incident memorial on route).
Features: Magnificent granite gorge with milky blue-green pools, backed by cliffs and fine rimu forest. Drive to Gorge passes fine West Coast dairy farms & memorial to the victims of the Stanley Graham shootings. Take care on south bank track.