Spend a Day in Hokitika, New Zealand

Hokitika is a charming coastal town on New Zealand’s rugged West Coast. Known for its wild beaches, breathtaking natural wonders, and rich cultural heritage, it’s worth a stop if you’re travelling along New Zealand’s famously picturesque coastal road. Whether you’re drawn to its famous jade (pounamu), stunning Hokitika Gorge, or mesmerizing sunsets, this guide will help you make the most of a single day in this South Island gem.

One Day in Hokitika, New Zealand

Hokitika Highlights

Hokitika is a must-visit for anyone looking for the perfect mix of nature, history, and creativity. Some of the Hokitika highlights are:

• The iconic Hokitika Gorge
• Scenic lakes perfect for a quick stop or a longer hike
• A thriving jade carving and glassblowing scene
• Stunning sunsets on Hokitika Beach
• The Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki (it kind of counts as a Hokitika highlight…)

Where is Hokitika?

Hokitika sits on New Zealand’s South Island, along the ridiculously scenic West Coast. It’s about halfway up the coastline, and you’d most likely be arriving by car or van so would be looking at the following journey times:

• 3 hours from Christchurch (via Arthur’s Pass)
• 30 minutes from Greymouth
• 1 hour from Punakaiki (Pancake Rocks)
• 2 hours from Franz Josef

The town feels quite remote as it’s just surrounded by small settlements, and the next big-ish town is Greymouth which is a 30-minute drive away, however if you’ve been roadtripping around the South Island I’m sure this is something you’ll already be used to.

Top Sights to See in Hokitika

Hokitika Gorge
A 30-minute drive from Hokitika township to Hokitika Gorge, through the rural farmland with a stunning mountain backdrop, is the perfect introduction to the gorge. There are a couple of tracks you can take, one is just a few minutes but very hilly, giving you an outlook on the gorge. The other is noted as a 30-minute walk (there and back) that takes you past the viewing point and on to the famous bridge. From there there’s an additional walk to the beach which isn’t much further on.

The walk to the bridge is fairly easy with some hilly parts, but the track is well maintained and although probably not advisable, I did it in Birkenstocks so you don’t need full hiking gear to do the walk. There’s a viewpoint about halfway to the bridge with a bench if you want to take a moment to sit and soak up the gorgeous views.

Lake Kaniere
Just 30 minutes from Hokitika, or a nice side stop en route to/from Hokitika Gorge, Lake Kaniere is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful and serene lakes. It’s surrounded by lush native forests and framed by the Southern Alps, and this deep glacial lake is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts or just anyone who likes a pretty lake!

You can either stop by to just admire the views while you have a picnic, or you can enjoy a variety of activities, including kayaking, swimming, boating, and fishing. The lake is home to trout and salmon, making it a great spot for the fishers amongst us. Several walking and biking trails surround the lake, with the Dorothy Falls Walk being a must-see, leading to a picturesque waterfall cascading into a tranquil pool.

Hokitika Town
Hokitika itself is worth a wander, there are plenty of charming independent shops and cafes to explore. Once a booming gold rush settlement, it is now famous for its jade (pounamu) carving, glassblowing, and arts scene. You’ll find a number of boutique shops, artisan studios, and the historic clock tower, all within the easily walkable town centre.

Glass Blowing & Jade Carving Studios
Hokitika is the jade (pounamu) and glassblowing capital of New Zealand, and you’ll be able to watch skilled artisans transform their raw materials into stunning works of art. Glassblowing studios line the high street, showcasing the mesmerizing process of shaping molten glass into colourful vases, sculptures, and jewellery.

Jade carving is deeply rooted in Māori culture, and Hokitika is the best place to see carvers craft intricate pendants, earrings, and sculptures from locally sourced pounamu. Many studios offer hands-on experiences if you’re like to create your own unique jade piece.

Pancake Rocks & Blowholes ~ Punakaiki
Ok, so not technically in Hokitika but it’s a great way to spend the afternoon if you’re fitting in as much as you can! If you’re tight on time then this could be a visit for the next day, but spending the morning at the gorge and the afternoon driving up to Punakaiki for the Pancake Rocks is the best way to spend a day in Hokitika. It’s just over an hour from Hokitika to Punakaiki, though it’ll probably take you longer as you stop to take photos of the gorgeous coastline.

The Pancake Rocks themselves are a natural marvel, and a hotspot for visitors to the South Island. These unique limestone formations, resembling stacks of pancakes, were formed around 30 million years ago. Over time, layers of marine creatures and sediments compressed under immense pressure, creating limestone. Weathering from wind, rain, and saltwater gradually eroded the softer layers, leaving behind the distinctive ‘pancake’ appearance.

It’s an easy walk through the small park area to the rocks themselves, where you’ll find lots of stacks of rocks as well as a few blowholes with a gorgeous backdrop of the ocean. There’s a small section of track that is a bit more challenging, but you can easily turn back and take an easier route if your mobility isn’t great. However, the main sights are easy for all to see, and if you have the patience to wait for a good spray from one of the blowholes you won’t be disappointed.

National Kiwi Centre
The National Kiwi Centre is conveniently located in Hokitika town centre, and gives visitors the chance to get up close and see the country’s iconic Kiwi bird. It’s a rare sight in the wild, so places like this that offer an insight into the conservation efforts for the kiwi, as well as giving an opportunity to see animals like tuatara and giant eels are perfect for visitors who don’t want to chance it in the wild.

Hokitika Beach
Hokitika Beach is a stunning stretch of rugged coastline on New Zealand’s West Coast, known for its dramatic driftwood-strewn shores and breathtaking sunsets. It’s not even a short walk from the town centre, it’s literally one street over to visit this wild beach.

One of its most iconic features is the Hokitika driftwood sign, a favourite photo spot for visitors. The beach is also a popular place to hunt for pounamu (jade) stones, which occasionally wash up on the shore.

As the sun sets, the real magic of Hokitika Beach comes alive. On a clear evening, the sunset is just absolutely breathtaking, and the sky bursts into shades of pink, orange, and purple, making it one of the best places in New Zealand to watch day turn to night. With the sea and sky in front of you glowing in the golden sunset tones, turn around and see the mountains behind you already bathed in the deep purple sky.

Glow Worm Dell
Located just a short walk from the town centre, this small yet enchanting dell is home to thousands of glow worms that illuminate the darkness with their bioluminescent glow.

The best time to visit the glow worm dell is after sunset when the tiny creatures create a twinkling spectacle. It’s just a short, easy walk into the dell, making it an easy visit for all ages. Unlike larger glow worm caves, there’s no need for a tour, just bring a flashlight to guide your way in, then switch it off to fully appreciate the magic once you’re there!

Extras to Fit in if You Have Time

If you have extra time, check out:

• Westland Industrial Heritage Park – A fascinating museum showcasing historic machinery and vehicles.
• Hokitika Museum – Learn about the town’s gold rush history and jade carving traditions.
• Unique Local Shops – Browse for handcrafted jade jewelry, art, and souvenirs.

How to Get There

Car
The easiest way to get to Hokitika is by car, and it’s an absolutely gorgeous drive along the West Coast. Whether you’re coming from the north or south, you’ll be treated to stunning coastal views. And if you get a sunny day? Be ready to be wowed!

State Highway 6 (SH6) is the road you’ll travel along as you drive up and down the West Coast of the South Island, but this road actually stretches all the way from Blenheim in the north of the island to Invercargill in the south. Epic road trip anyone?

Public Transport – Bus
New Zealand isn’t a country known for its extensive public transport, but Hokitika is served by InterCity buses. If you’re travelling on the KiwiExperience bus or want to get the picturesque TranzAlpine train, these both arrive in Greymouth and from there you can jump on a short InterCity bus ride to Hokitika.

Plane
Hokitika is home to a small airport with flights to Christchurch. It’s not a bustling airport by any means with just a couple of flights a day, but it’s an invaluable transport link if you don’t want to travel across the country by car or bus.

How to Get Around Hokitika

The town centre of Hokitika is very compact and you can easily walk around. In fact, if you choose to drive between places you’ll spend more time looking for a parking space than it would have taken you to walk.

If you’re venturing out to places like Hokitika Gorge, the lakes or Pancake Rocks then you’ll be best off making the journey with a car. These places are certainly too far to walk, though anyone passing through with a bike might enjoy the ride, it’s about 35km to the gorge and 24km to the lake.

When to Visit Hokitika

Hokitika is a year-round destination, with different seasons offering different experiences. Visitors during the NZ summer (December-February) will be blessed with warm temperatures and better chances of good weather to be able to enjoy the beach. In autumn and spring, the weather is milder but there’ll be less visitors in the shoulder seasons. With winter comes colder temperatures but snow-topped mountains. It’ll be pretty but note that if you’re visiting the gorge or the lakes these are accessed along rural roads so be sure to take it easy if there’s ice!

I visited Hokitika in late March and was lucky to have mild weather. The mornings needed a light jumper, but by midday a t-shirt was plenty and it made the walk to Hokitika Gorge quite comfortable. The evening sunset over the beach was gorgeous with no clouds, and I just needed the jumper again once the sun dipped below the horizon.

Visiting Hokitika as a Solo Traveller

Hokitika is a great town to visit as a solo traveller if you’re happy with your own company. There aren’t many (maybe any…) hostels in town and not a huge social buzz to be meeting people out and about. However, accommodation is still fairly cheap for NZ standards, so you can snag yourself a private room and make the most of some me time.

When I visited Hokitika as a solo traveller I found that people were very friendly, the town was busy enough with people that I didn’t feel lonely and there were lots of people milling about by the beach so there was still a social vibe. My favourite thing about smaller, more rural New Zealand towns, is that the locals can be so friendly and love stopping for a chat.

Is Hokitika Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! I think Hokitika is one of the highlights on the West Coast trail of the South Island. There are lots of little settlements as you drive up the coast, but Hokitika has a real welcoming and small town vibe, has plenty to fill your day and honestly has the potential for one of the best sunsets you’ll ever see. It’s a big claim, but as a real sunset fan, I think the one I caught in Hokitika might be the best I’ve ever seen!

Is One Day in Hokitika Enough?

Yeah, pretty much to be honest. Unless you have a specific reason for visiting Hokitika – like visiting family or friends – then it’s a great town to use as a base for a day and night before carrying on to explore the South Island. Accommodation is fairly budget friendly in Hokitika in comparison to South Island prices, so if you’re looking to fit in a relaxed day to break up the go go go of travelling, Hokitika would be a great location to do that.

Where to Stay in Hokitika

For such a small town, you’ll have plenty of options of places to stay in Hokitika for all budgets!

Budget: Hokitika’s Kiwi Holiday Park and Motels or Hokitika Pioneer Hotel
Mid-range: Stumpers Hotel or Rimu View 1 (Tiny Home)
Luxury / Boutique: Hokitika Fire Station or Beachfront Hotel Hokitika (purely for the sunset views!)

Where is Close by to Visit Next?

• Franz Josef & Fox Glacier – A 2-hour drive from Hokitika, this is the perfect next stop if you’re road tripping around New Zealand’s South Island.
• Arthur’s Pass – A scenic drive through the Southern Alps, it’s a popular choice for many travellers!
• Greymouth – Stop for a craft beer tasting or to catch the scenic TranzAlpine train to Christchurch.
• Nelson Lakes – Close by might be a bit of a stretch here, but it’s a great choice if you’re heading north to visit the scenic National Park.

With stunning landscapes, rich culture, and laid-back charm, Hokitika is the perfect West Coast escape, even if you only have a day. Happy exploring!