Welcome to day 4 of our West Coast road trip! Today we walk amongst the trees at the West Coast treetop walk and traverse a few swing bridges at the Hokitika Gorge.
Stay caught up on the rest of our trip here ↓
Day 1 ○ Day 2 ○ Day 3 ○ Day 5 ○ Day 6 ○ Day 7
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West Coast Treetop Walk
Since we stayed overnight at the center’s campsite, we decided to do the West Coast treetop walk in the morning. We got to the center right as it opened at 9 am, which ended up being perfect as it got crowded later on. There is a cafe on-site, so I stocked up with a flat white before we began our walk.
The treetop walk is essentially a bunch of narrow walkways set above the trees. There is also a 40 m (131 ft) viewing tower and a springboard that sways and rocks as you walk. The pieces for the walkways were built in Australia and then brought to New Zealand and put together in 2012.
Before starting, they give you a pamphlet with information about the trees and birds you see from the walkways. There are 11 different platforms or stops along the way. I love the fact that you can go at your own pace but still have a bit of a guide to explain what you’re looking at.
After spending about an hour walking through the trees, we started heading back down the hill. A few minutes into our walk, one of the employees asked if we wanted a ride in the golf cart she was driving (yes!). All of the employees at the cafe and walk were so kind and really went above and beyond.
Once we were back down at the cafe, we decided to have some breakfast. There are outdoor tables, so Ben and I sat outside, enjoyed our food, and people watched. All in all it was a very fun experience! There were lots of families with small children, so it is definitely family-friendly as well.
Hokitika Gorge
After the treetop walk, we drove a half-hour to the Hokitika Gorge. This is a 2 km (1.2 mi) DOC-run walk that goes over and around the Hokitika River. There are two suspension bridges and a whole bunch of viewing platforms.
The water in the river is a bright, cloudy blue color because of something called “rock flour.” Ground-up bits of rock mix with the alpine glacial water and leave a cloudy residue behind. It’s actually really striking seeing the water in person!
From the parking lot, you can start the loop in either direction (although most people start from the main sign going counterclockwise). After a few minutes of walking through dense bush, there is an opening to see the water for the first time. The walkways and bridges around the gorge are all brand-new and nicely maintained.
Once you reach the viewing platform after the first suspension bridge, there is a gate to the left that will give you beach access. There are some massive boulders here that you can sit on to get some great photos. Be careful, because some of them are really slippery!
Hypothetically, it is possible to reach the water and have a swim here. There are signs warning against it, though, because the river is swift and very cold.
It took us a little over an hour to make it all the way around the loop. After getting to the van, we drove 2 hours south to the town of Franz Josef. We spent the night at an NZMCA campsite, which was great. (I can’t recommend NZMCA enough! If you can get your van certified and become a member, do it. It saves you a lot of money in the long run.)
Book a tour in Hokitika
I hope you enjoyed day 4 of our West Coast road trip! In a few days, I’ll be posting about day 5. We explored Franz Josef by walking through dank caves and saw a glacier. Stay tuned!
xoxo Niki
