Best Hokitika Day Trips & Things to Do

Hokitika is a gateway to raw natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Known for its gleaming greenstone - or pounamu - the town thrives on craftsmanship and Māori tradition, with local galleries offering hand-carved treasures. Adventure seekers flock to the nearby Hokitika Gorge, where turquoise waters cut through ancient rainforest, and the rugged Paparoa Range beckons hikers and mountain bikers alike. Just south, the untamed beauty of Lake Kaniere offers serene kayaking and fishing, while the iconic coastal stretch of Gillespies Beach delivers dramatic surf and solitude. Each year, the town comes alive during the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, celebrating frontier spirit with bold flavors and community warmth. With easy access to the glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox, Hokitika blends alpine majesty, coastal mystery, and small-town charm in one unforgettable destination.