Hokitika Holiday Park

In Hokitika you can check out the concrete replica of the Tambo shipwreck and see kiwis and reptiles at the National Kiwi Centre. Catch the sunset at the mouth of the Hokitika River, then, on your way back to the site, be sure to stop at Glow Worm Dell, a canyon inhabited by a colony of glow worms. Activities at Lake Kaniere (half an hour’s drive) include boating, fishing and jetskiing. There are plenty of trails around the lake, such as the short loop through the Kahikatea forest; if you’re in the mood for something more challenging, a track on nearby Mount Tuhua rewards your efforts with views of the lake, Hokitika and the Southern Alps. On the Hokitika River, the Hokitika Gorge (half an hour) enchants with its vivid colours: the blue of the water, the white of the limestone cliffs and the green of the vegetation. After taking in the spectacular views, take a stroll through the forest and cross the swing bridge.