Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → West Coast → Hokitika Gorge

Location: Lake Kaniere area, West Coast, New Zealand

Time Required: 20 minutes

Red Tape/Notes: None.

What’s Nearby?: Cesspool of the Arahura, Hokitika Glowworm Dell, Tunnel Terrace Walk

Warning: this place gets crowded. Try to go earlier in the day if you can. It’s a surprisingly long drive from Hokitika to Hokitika Gorge (33 km), which may deter some people, but the parking lot will still be chock full of cars. Is it worth it? Yes, particularly if you’re not doing any other side trips that will showcase stunning opaque blue water like this. A quick trip on a wide raised walkway (thankfully wide enough that you can easily pass slower visitors) leads to a great swingbridge across the stunning blue water. From the other side you can scramble down the rocks to water level for photographs looking back at the bridge, showcasing the beautiful water and lush plantlife. Then it’s back up the trail to flee the wandering hoards and move on to the next great thing (hopefully with fewer people).

Epic Travel → Asia & the South Pacific → New Zealand → West Coast → Hokitika Gorge