Hokitika
Aerial View
Hokitika
Hokitika was settled in 1860, after the discovery of gold on the west coast of New Zealand. Originally it was an important river port, but the notorious ‘Hokitika Bar’ with its shifting sand grounded many ships. Today, there is a historic town walk where you can see many beautiful old buildings. In addition, there are several galleries that specialize in pounamu jewelry and art works. Pounamu is the Māori name for a jade like greenstone, the common source of it being the Arahura River which enters the sea just north of Hokitika.
Hokitika is a cool beachside town and a great place to stop on your way to the glaciers. With two nearby lakes the town also boasts some unique attractions including the West Coast Treetop Walkway and the Hokitika Gorge. While there, plan to pick up some souvenirs since there are several jade factories, gold jewellers, and wood turners in town.
Hokitika
Hokitika
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Rick Garrett
I’m a Professional Travel Adviser with over 40 years of travel industry experience. The countries I specialize in include Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, French Polynesia (aka Tahiti), and the Cook Islands. I’ve made dozens of trips to the South Pacific so am able to provide you with first hand knowledge and experience while creating the custom itinerary that is perfect for YOU, and then take care of everything from A to Z, before, during and after your amazing Down Under adventure. Because the journeys I create for my clients are born out of my desire to share my authentic travel experiences, each one is unique, and designed to match your interests, tastes and budget.