WEST COAST TREE TOP WALKWAY I can highly recommend this walk. It is a totally different way of experiencing New Zealand's native forests. They even have a golf cart that can drive you up to the start of the canopy walk for those with mobility issues. There is an excellent cafe and a shop selling beautiful NZ crafts and souvenirs. Check out their web page and Facebook page for special deals. You can also check on Bookme for discounts.
BLUE SPUR BUSHWALK - Walk
LOCATION : Arahura/Blue Spur
MODERATE Time: 1.5 hour loop walk Access: Carpark on Blue Spur Road Features: Old Chinese goldmining workings: races, stone walls and shafts in regrowth native forest. Great fun for kids to explore but care required due to steeper sections, hidden drops and shafts. Stick to the track, wear good footwear as parts can be slick.
HOKITIKA GORGE TRACK - Walk
LOCATION : Hokitika Gorge
EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok Time: 35 minute return UPDATE: There are now 2 swing bridges so it is a loop walk rather than having to double back. Access: 25km east of Hokitika. Turn inland onto Stafford St from SH6/Fitzherbert St and follow the yellow signs saying Hokitika Gorge. Be prepared for lots of turning! (Passes Kowhitirangi Incident memorial on route). Features: Top rated activity in Hokitika on TripAdvisor! Wheelchair accessible viewpoint overlooking a magnificent granite gorge with milky blue-green pools, backed by cliffs and fine rimu forest. Head further along to a swingbridge and then the edge of the Gorge itself. Take care as some dropoffs on the south bank are slippery.
DOROTHY FALLS - Walk
LOCATION : Lake Kaniere
EASY Time: 2 minutes. Access: Carpark beside bridge at Dorothy Falls Rd on eastern side of lake. Features: Short path to pool at base of best local falls. Awesome in a good rain.
HOKITIKA HERITAGE WALK
LOCATION : Hokitika Town
EASY - Buggies/Strollers ok Time: 30 min for quayside and central town features. Longer if you want to see the whole thing Access: From i-Site & Museum, or any point along the walk. Features: Goldrush & river-port town historic heritage sites, buildings & statues. Brochure & information panels bring history to life. Augmented reality is available in some spots so bring your smartphone and get the app. Request a brochure showing the whole walk from the Visitor i-Site.
LAKE KANIERE WALKWAY
LOCATION : Lake Kaniere
MODERATE Time: 4 hours one way Access: Carpark just south of southern end of lake. Follows western shore of lake. Ends at Sunny Bight at northern end of lake. Features: Lush forest, great lake and mountain views, bays and beaches. Open to mountain biking.
MT. TUHUA - Tramp
LOCATION : Lake Kaniere
HARD & STEEP Time: 7 hours return. 7.6 km Access: Signposted on Dorothy Falls Rd just south of Hans Bay. Features: Best local access to open mountain tops. Panoramic views of Southern Alps, Lake Kaniere, coastal plains and Hokitika. Must be fit. Good footwear required.
LONDONDERRY ROCK - Walk
LOCATION : Kumara
EASY Time: 10 min one way Access: Turn off SH73, 1 km east of Kumara onto a metalled road running alongside a water race Features: Walk passes through stone-fields of old goldmining tailings & manuka forest to huge glacier-deposited boulder, too big for the early miners to move or break.
TUNNEL TERRACE WALK
LOCATION : Awatuna/Goldsborough
EASY Time: 20 minute loop Access: Signposted on Stafford-Goldsborough roadside with carpark. Features: Track enters and exits through old goldmining tailrace tunnels and meanders through old gold workings. Passes through regenerating rimu, kamahi and tree fern forest. A great place to see glowworms at night.
