[2025 Kokatahi Attraction] Travel Guide for Hokitika Gorge (Updated Mar)

Unlike the usual big tourist attraction of New Zealand, the Hokitika Gorge walk is a rather new walk located in the West Coast of South Island, New Zealand. It is an easy one hour stroll through native bush which can be done by everyone. You will be walking through hardwood forest and eventually reaching a swing bridge which will gives an excellent view of the Hokitika River. As shown in the photo, the river is really beautiful with its blue-greenish colored water. I will highly recommend everyone who are in the west coast to come visit this place! However please note that there could be many sandflies in the area, so make sure to wear proper clothings if you do not want to be bitten too much! #momentssg #unforgettableexperiences #nationalpark #naturalwonders #scenicspotguide

If you’re visiting West Coast of New Zealand, be sure not to miss out on a visit to Hokitika Gorge. The surreal turquoise blue waters of the Hokitika River drains from the distant Sale glacier, tucked away above 1219 metres high in the Southern Alps. In real life, it is exactly as blue as like what you see in the photos. From the car park it’s only a four minutes walk away from the viewing platform, ten minutes walk away from the swing bridge and fifteen minutes walk away from the river edge. All in all, it takes about one hour for a loop track. This place is about a 40 min drive away from the nearest Hokitika town, but the views are totally worth it. #decembertravel #unforgettableexperiences #scenicspotguide #hiking #newzealand

#newzealandtrip Lovely walk through a rainforest type environment, well maintained and offering some amazing views. The river is just to beautiful. The water is so blue and the landscape here is amazing. The bridge was fun to cross and offered amazing views of the gorge. There are so many viewing options and the trail was well kept. Car parking and toilets were available and this was worth the 27km deviation from the main west coast route.

#newzealandtrip Exploring Hokitika Gorge is a captivating experience, offering a blend of vibrant turquoise waters, lush native bush, and dramatic granite cliffs. As you walk along the well-maintained track, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views from multiple suspension bridges, providing perfect photo opportunities. The serene atmosphere and the vivid blue waters of the Hokitika River create a magical setting that is both relaxing and invigorating. Hokitika Gorge is located in the Westland District of New Zealand’s South Island, approximately 33 kilometers inland from the town of Hokitika.

Our hike to Hokitika Gorge was an unforgettable part of our West Coast adventure. As we walked along the trail, we were surrounded by lush native forest, with the sound of the river rushing nearby. The path was well-maintained, making it an easy yet rewarding walk for all skill levels. The anticipation built with each step, knowing that at the end of the trail, we would be rewarded with the famous turquoise waters of the gorge. The vibrant blue color of the water, contrasted against the surrounding greenery, was nothing short of mesmerizing. Reaching the viewing platform at the gorge, we were blown away by the breathtaking view. The water in the gorge was an incredible shade of blue, almost unreal, flowing swiftly through the rugged, rocky landscape. The surrounding cliffs and dense forest added to the dramatic beauty of the scene. We took our time soaking it all in, snapping photos, and even taking a moment to simply enjoy the serenity. Hiking to Hokitika Gorge was a highlight of our trip, offering a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and tranquility. #mountainhike #westcoast #hokitika #newzealand #newzealandtrip #campervan #travel #naturalwonders #thingstodo

This color of that water! This is an incredibly beautiful site, with a lovely trail leading from the parking lot through forest to two suspension bridges over the one blue Hokitika River. Get there early to enjoy the walk in peace as it's very very popular! Walking track was very very smooth and easy to make. Enjoyed the amazing scenery and suitable for families and people of all ages and abilities. #newzealandtrip

#traveldiaries #newzealand #hiddengem Hokitika Gorge is said to be a gem in the west New Zealand because of its turquoise water. Of course, the colour shows better under bright sunlight during sunny days. The site has white granite cliffs, lush green forest where the track starts and the suspension bridge which spans across the gorge which contains the glacier water. The trail is easy and requires around an hour for a return trip. Child friendly and wheel chair friendly. Recommend to visit Hokitika small town just for this beautiful Gorge.

There is a fjord in the nearby half-hour drive. It was just for the purpose of killing time. I didn't expect the scenery to exceed my expectations. Looking at the heights, the blue water surface is like a strange gem set in the jungle. You can walk to the high-pitched rock, but be careful, you can't see it in the picture. It's actually very dangerous. If you don't pay attention, it will fall into the water. I climbed over and the old people wanted to come over and I was stopped.