Hokitika Gorge is a free Department of Conservation (DOC) scenic reserve, 30 minutes’ drive from Hokitika, where the Hokitika River runs turquoise through white granite. The full walk is a 1.6 km loop that takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and crosses two swing bridges. Short on time? The first viewing platform is only 4 minutes from the car park.
| Cost | Free. No bookings needed |
| Full loop | 1.6 km, about 1 hr 30 min |
| Shortest option | 150 m to the first viewing platform, 4 min one way |
| Bridges | Lower swing bridge and the 90 m upper suspension bridge |
| Parking | Free, for cars and campervans, with two mobility spaces |
| Toilets | At the car park, including an accessible toilet |
| Drive from Hokitika | 30 min |
| Dogs | Not allowed |
| Mobile coverage | None beyond the car park |
How long is the Hokitika Gorge walk?
DOC lists the full loop as 1.6 km and 1 hour 30 minutes. It is graded easy to intermediate, and you can turn around at several points, so choose how much you want to do.
| Section | Distance (one way) | Time (one way) | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car park to first viewing platform | 150 m | 4 min | Wheelchair accessible |
| First viewing platform to lower swing bridge | 300 m | 6 min | Track and boardwalks, with views up and down the gorge |
| Back to the car park via the upper suspension bridge | 1.2 km | 45 min | Some ups and downs through rainforest |
After the lower swing bridge, it is about 5 minutes to a junction. Follow the signs one way to a second viewing platform, where steps lead down to a rocky beach. Follow them the other way towards the Upper Hokitika Gorge, past small waterfalls and water-sculpted granite.
The upper suspension bridge is 15 minutes from that junction. From there it is about 30 minutes back to the car park through the forest, with a viewpoint over the river and the farmland of the Hokitika Valley.
Are the Hokitika Gorge swing bridges open?
Yes, both are open and the full loop can be walked. It is still worth checking the alerts on the DOC Hokitika Gorge Walk page before you travel, as that is where any track closures will be posted.
The lower swing bridge is the one you reach first, about 10 minutes from the car park. A swing bridge has crossed the river here since 1933. The old bridge closed in 2023 because of the risk of structural failure, and it has since been replaced.
The upper suspension bridge opened in 2020. At 90 metres it is one of the longest in New Zealand, and it crosses the main channel of the river with big views towards the foothills of the Southern Alps.
Why is Hokitika Gorge so blue?
The colour comes from rock flour, an extremely fine sediment ground off the mountains by glaciers. The particles are small enough to stay suspended in the water, and they give the river its milky turquoise colour against the white granite.
It does not look like that every day. DOC says the river looks blue when it has not rained recently and the sun is out. After heavy rain, glacial silt turns the water grey.
When is the best time to visit?
Pick a sunny day after a dry spell if you can. If you have a few days in the area, keep the gorge for the best one.
The car park gets very busy from November to April. Going earlier or later in the day is the easy way to avoid the middle-of-the-day rush.
How to get to Hokitika Gorge
The gorge is signposted from the junction of State Highway 6 and Stafford Street, near Hokitika town centre, and at the intersections along the way. The route heads inland on Kaniere Road and Kaniere–Kowhitirangi Road, then through Kowhitirangi to Whitcombe Valley Road, where the car park is signposted on the right.
Get directions in Google Maps, and load the route before you leave town as coverage drops out further in.
| Driving from | Allow about |
|---|---|
| Hokitika | 30 min |
| West Coast Treetop Walk | 40 to 45 min |
| Greymouth | 1 hr 10 min |
| Franz Josef | 2 hr 15 min |
Parking, toilets and what to bring
- Parking: free for cars and campervans, with two marked mobility spaces.
- Toilets: at the car park, including an accessible toilet.
- Water: there is no drinking water, so bring your own.
- Food and fuel: the nearest are back in Hokitika.
- Rubbish: there are no bins, so take it with you.
- Seating: at the first two viewpoints and along the track, but not at the car park.
- Sandflies: they can be fierce here. Bring repellent.
- Shoes and layers: wear sturdy shoes and bring a jacket, as West Coast weather changes quickly.
Can you swim at Hokitika Gorge?
It is not advised. DOC warns that the Hokitika River is swift, cold and dangerous in all conditions, and that people have drowned here. The rocks beside the river are uneven and can be slippery, and parts of the track are exposed, so stay back from the edges and keep children close.
Is Hokitika Gorge wheelchair accessible?
Yes, as far as the first viewing platform. That section is 150 metres from the car park, which also has two mobility spaces and an accessible toilet. Beyond the platform the track is not listed as wheelchair accessible.
For a longer wheelchair-friendly walk nearby, see our guide to wheelchair accessible things to do on the West Coast.
What you might see along the track
The walk runs through native podocarp-hardwood forest, and from the upper bridge you are up close to the canopy of miro, rimu and kāmahi. Listen for kererū, fantails, tomtits and robins. You may also see weka and kea. Both are protected, so please do not feed them. Flying a drone here without a permit is prohibited.
What to do after the gorge
Once you are back at the car, you will still have most of the day left. Lake Kaniere is close to your route back, and there are more ideas in our guides to walks around Hokitika and local attractions.
The gorge shows you the rainforest from the ground. West Coast Treetop Walk shows it from above. We are at 1128 Woodstock-Rimu Road, 15 minutes south of Hokitika, on a self-guided 1.2 km walkway 20 metres up in the rimu and kāmahi canopy. The 47-metre tower gives you the Southern Alps and the Tasman Sea in one view.
The walkway is wheelchair and pram friendly and Hāpai Access Card certified. Adult entry is $43 at the gate, with 10% off when you book online.
Want more speed? The Tower Zipline runs two riders side by side at up to 65 km/h, on the hour from 10am, for riders from 30 to 120 kg. Zipline and Treetop Walk packages are $139 per adult.
We are open 9am to 5pm in summer, with last access at 4.15pm, and 9am to 4pm in winter, with last access at 3.15pm. The cafe is open 9am to 3pm. Doing both in one trip is simple, and we have set out the timings in our Hokitika Gorge and Treetop Walk half-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hokitika Gorge free?
Yes. There is no entry fee, parking is free and you do not need to book.
How long does the Hokitika Gorge walk take?
The full 1.6 km loop takes about 1 hour 30 minutes. If you only walk to the lower swing bridge and back, allow about 20 minutes plus time for photos.
How far is Hokitika Gorge from Hokitika?
It is 30 minutes by car and signposted from the junction of State Highway 6 and Stafford Street.
Are both swing bridges open?
Yes. Both the lower swing bridge and the upper suspension bridge are open. Check the alerts on the DOC page before you travel in case conditions change.
Can you swim at Hokitika Gorge?
DOC advises against swimming. The river is swift, cold and dangerous in all conditions, and people have drowned here.
Are dogs allowed at Hokitika Gorge?
No. Dogs are not allowed on the walk.
Are there toilets at Hokitika Gorge?
Yes. There are toilets at the car park, including an accessible toilet. There is no drinking water, so bring your own.
Why does Hokitika Gorge sometimes look grey?
After heavy rain, glacial silt turns the water grey. The river looks bluest on a sunny day when it has not rained recently.
Can you do Hokitika Gorge and the Treetop Walk in one day?
Yes, easily. Allow 40 to 45 minutes to drive between them, and check the Treetop Walk last access time for the season.
