Tourist information - Hokitika
Hokitika was the hub of the early gold rush, with most of the miners arriving through its busy river port to set up calico as well as tin shanty settlements. The people who turned this wilderness into a bustling civilisation endured considerable hardships as they tried to make a living from the goldfields.
Hokitika catches the essence of the West Coast's early development featuring its Heritage area, local museum as well as recently restored Carnegie Building.
Greenstone (jade) is a feature in the town's bustling centre of art as well as craft shops. A number of bars, cafes along with restaurants help to make summer seven-day shopping a pleasure. Westland Water World, the Glow Worm Dell as well as the Takutai Paddle Boat is popular tourist attractions.
Thousands of visitors each year are enticed to the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival which specialises in gourmet bush tucker.
Wild beauty is everywhere - Lake Kaniere, Dorothy Falls, Goldsborough, Hokitika Gorge, Lake Mahinapua as well as the Hokitika Beach.
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