Hokitika Adventure
It's not hard to find an adventure to suit you in or around Hokitika. Even if you have a few minutes to spare, within a few metres of town is our wild and beautiful sand and pebble beach where everyone can walk at their leisure. Around Hokitika adventures are so accessible. Within a few minutes drive of town is a range of the best tramps and rainforest walks in New Zealand. Placid lakes; world class extreme kayaking rivers and hiking routes that cross snowfields, glaciers and the Southern Alps.
You can fish for sea-run and river trout all year round on the edge of the town or in the remote backcountry. You can brave the elements and competition to try whitebaiting in season, or while away time as a lone fisher surfcasting for rig ( pioke) Kahawai and elephant fish ( Makarepe ) on the local beaches. The nearby forests and ranges are popular for red deer and chamois hunting.
Live kiwi, giant eels and more are guaranteed to be seen at the national Kiwi Centre and on short or long walks you'll hear and see Tui, Bellbirds, Fantails, Pukeko and Black Teal. More experienced walkers will find a last New Zealand stronghold of Blue Duck in the swift rivers of the nearby Alps such as the Styx and Arahura.
To help you on your adventures are guides, flightseeing and helicopter operators, taxis and rental vehicles.
The best local scenic drive is the Lake Kaniere loop, returning through Kokatahi and detouring off through rich dairying farms to the Hokitika Gorge. Hokitika also makes a great base for day trips to the Glaciers in Westland National Park (2-hour drive to the south). The alpine flowers of Arthur's Pass National Park. (1 and ¼ hours drive to the east) To the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes of Paparoa National Park. (1-½ hours drive to the north)
To round off your adventure in and around town are great restaurants, great shopping and great pubs, all within an easy walk or drive of your accommodation.