Quirky & Free Things to do in Hokitika

Discover Hokitika, New Zealand, without breaking the bank with our guide to free and affordable activities.

Located on New Zealand’s scenic West Coast, Hokitika is a town surrounded by natural beauty such as free glow worm caves and the famous Hokitika Gorge with its pristine blue waters.

While most people only stop at Hokitika for the famous activities, the area offers so many incredible activities for road trippers travelling on a budget.

After living down the road in Greymouth for almost two years, we’ve compiled a selection of cheap and free things to do in Hokitika to help you enjoy your visit while saving money, with a local twist!

From handcrafting activities to outdoor adventures and hidden gems, here are some of the best cheap and free things to do in Hokitika, no matter how long you plan to stay.

Where Is Hokitika?

Hokitika is a quirky town on New Zealand’s West Coast famous for the crystal blue waters of Hokitika Gorge.

It’s just 1 hour and 45 minutes North of Franz Josef Glacier (Roughly 5 hours from Wanaka up the West Coast) and is the last town before turning off to Arthur’s Pass.

Many people drift into Hokitika for a few hours then leave, blissfully unaware that there are plenty of other cheap and free things to do in Hokitika, some you can’t do anywhere else

Free Things to do in Hokitika

Before you start spending your hard earned money, here are some of our favourite free things to do in Hokitika that are sure to make you want to explore the area further!

Wander Through Hokitika Gorge

Of course, we’ll kick off this list of the best things to do in Hokitika with the most famous of them all – Hokitika Gorge.

Hokitika Gorge, much like the blue pools at Haast, is a stunning river system with turquoise blue waters that flow down from the Southern Alps.

Caused by minerals from crumbled rock, the vibrant waters are the main attraction but the native forest surrounding the river shouldn’t be overlooked.

Just half an hour inland from the main town of Hokitika, the gorge is easily accessible via the boardwalk that winds its way down the side of the grey stone gorge wall. A long swing bridge crosses the waters and gives you your first proper look at Hokitika’s main attraction.

We really loved the Hokitika Gorge, despite it being busier than we expected. It’s oddly relaxing to sit on the grey stone boulders and just watch the water rush past you!

Tip – If there has recently been heavy rain before your visit, it’s likely the waters will be more of a murky grey-green colour as this churns up the sediment on the river bed that discolours the vibrant blue.

 Photo by Laura of the most popular free things to do in Hokitika

Be Mesmerised At Hokitika Glow Worm Dell

Ahh, Glow Worms. I have a fond attachment to them after seeing them in several places across Australia and New Zealand.

They’re a creature that makes me curious and one that is sure to make young kids believe in fairies.

The Hokitika Glow Worm Dell is just one place to see glow worms in New Zealand, but it’s one that doesn’t seem to get the attention that others do.

What’s better is that it’s one of the free things to do in Hokitika too!

Obviously you have to visit the Hokitika Glow Worm Dell after sunset to really see the glow worms, but that’s the perfect excuse to hang around the area a little longer!

Explore Mahinapua Scenic Reserve

This stunning reserve is a great place to explore. The Mahinapua Scenic Reserve is roughly 10 km south of Hokitika and right next to the Treetop Walkway.

Here you can choose one of the several walks but we highly recommend the Mahinapua Tram Walkway which follows the old logging tram along the lake, and passes through an old eucalyptus tree plantation – something you don’t see very often in New Zealand.

This Mahinapua Tram Walkway is mostly flat with the occasional steady hill climb and takes 2 hours to walk the whole track (one way).

If you want to see the reserve but don’t want to do the longer walk, there are plenty of small tracks around the like. 

Alternatively, you could walk to a picnic point along the Tram Walkway and turn around from here. This reduces the walking time to 1-hour return.

There are options for camping and picnicking all around the lake so if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the West Coast, this might just be the place to go!

Discover Tunnel Terrace Track

For a great wilderness walk near Hokitika, head to the Tunnel Terrace Track between Hokitika and Greymouth.

There’s a small roadside car park here, big enough for maybe two or three vehicles, so it’s easily accessible.

The walk itself is short, only taking about 30 minutes to complete, but it’s rich in mining history, birdlife and once again gives you the chance to spot the rare blue mushroom that can be seen on New Zealand money!

This track is currently closed, stay updated here.

Dec at one of the tunnels during the walk

Relax At Lake Kaniere + Dorothy Falls

While you’re heading out to Hokitika Gorge, don’t miss this lesser-known thing to do in Hokitika, Lake Kaniere and Dorothy Falls.

This quiet lake is popular with locals but very few tourists currently visit it, making it one of the more peaceful free things to do in Hokitika on this list!

Lake Kaniere is an 8km long lake and one of New Zealand’s many Mirror Lakes.

It’s surrounded by several wilderness walks, whether you want a short stop to stretch your legs or you’re looking for something to keep you busy for several days, this area has an option for you.

Dorothy Falls is very easily accessed as it’s just a short walk off from the car park by the main road.

In the summer it’s a nice location for a wild swim and there’s a campsite nearby if you choose to stay longer!

Learn Some History At Hokitika Museum + Clocktower

Ok so this isn’t the only museum on the West Coast but it’s the only one to tell Hokitika’s history the way it does.

Here you can learn about the gold rush era, why Whitebait is so popular and even read about the history of Jadestone.

It’s also in a really beautiful building which in itself is worth seeing, along with the iconic Clock Tower which was revealed in 1903 and acts as a war memorial too, so if you like history don’t miss seeing this in the centre of town.

Hokitika Museum is currently closed to the public, but you can still admire it from the outside!

Admire Some Art At The Wilderness Gallery

We’re avid photographers and when we visit small towns like Hokitika, we love to check out any galleries of local photographers.

Wilderness Gallery is home to award-winning photography by Juergen Schacke who’s love for the West Coast of New Zealand is evident in his work.

We highly recommend visiting this gallery, not just to see photos of the local area, but also because it’s a great place to pick up some souvenirs or gifts for those back home!

Experience Hokitika Driftwood Festival (Hokitika Beach)

Looking for one of the most unique free things to do in Hokitika? The Driftwood Festival is the thing to do here.

Thanks to the rough seas of the West Coast, Hokitika is the final destination for a lot of driftwood.

Local artists here have made that an iconic part of the area by creating an annual driftwood festival.

For two weeks every January, Hokitika hosts this infamous festival on its popular Hokitika Beach.

You’ll see artwork created by artists of all ages and skill, including a children’s section. Every year it’s themed, you can check out information for the upcoming one here.

There are prizes for the winners and you can play judge by casting your vote along with a gold coin donation.

Not visiting during January? Don’t be disheartened. This still deserves to be on your list of things to do in Hokitika as the driftwood sculptures stay on the beach until nature takes its course.

When we visited in March there were still signs of artwork from the previous year.

Hokitika Beach is great fun to walk down at any time of year and you’ll never know who, or what, you might bump into along the way.

Don’t forget to stop and take a photo with the Hokitika Sign – another important thing to do in Hokitika!

Cycle/Walk the West Coast Wilderness Trail

Fancy a long walk along the rugged West Coast? The famous West Coast Wilderness Trail is the perfect choice!

You can do it in sections, or do a multi-day trip to complete the whole route.

Officially this track starts in the centre of Greymouth, but you can pick it up at Hokitika in a couple of ways.

Either use Hokitika as your starting point, cycling up to Lake Kaniere then back to the coast and up to Greymouth, or get a lift to Kumara Junction and cycle back towards Hokitika.

You can get more information about the West Coast Wilderness Trail route here.

Relax At Lake Mahinapua

Lake Mahinapua is another beautiful mirror lake on the West Coast you can visit for free near Hokitika.

Perfect for relaxing on the lake beach, wandering on some of the nearby walking trails or taking the kayak out onto the water.

It’s popular with locals but whenever we visited in the summer, it never felt overly busy.

Cheap Things To Do In Hokitika

Ready to spend some money with the local businesses? These unique Hokitika activities are worth spending some dollars on as many of them can’t be experienced anywhere else in the country

Meet An Icon At The National Kiwi Centre

Kiwis are the national icon of New Zealand, they’re endangered and pretty hard to find in the wild without a tour guide.

With only two populations on the West Coast, both critically endangered, the National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika is the only place on this side of the country where you’re guaranteed to see them.

Their dark enclosures make it easy to see them in a true to the natural environment of this nocturnal bird. If you’re a bird lover, or just want to see one of these iconic creatures, you’ll probably agree that the National Kiwi Centre is one of the best things to do in Hokitika!

They also have a selection of other native and endemic New Zealand animals such as longfin eels, Tuatara and Koura (freshwater crayfish), so it really is one of the greatest things to do in Hokitika if you have kids or just love wildlife!

Prices start from $20, you can prebook your tickets here

Have A Go At Jade Carving

Hokitika is known as Jade Stone country, a little fact we didn’t know (but maybe should have) before visiting Hokitika. So another of the unique things to do in Hokitika is carving your own Jade Stone!

There are a couple of places along the West Coast where you can find Jade but Hokitika is one of the best, especially at the mouth of the Hokitika River, making it truly one of the most unique things to do in Hokitika. We’ve found this great article that will help you find jade in Hokitika!

Once you’ve found your own piece of Jade (also called greenstone or pounamu), why not take it into one of the local Jade Artisans and have it carved into something special for you to take home as a souvenir.

Better yet – why not take it to Bonz n Stonz and carve it yourself!

Try Whitebait – On A Pizza?

Whitebait is a local delicacy and with that comes some pretty wacky recipes.

You’ll find most fish and chip takeaways will offer Whitebait during the season (September – November) but if you want to try something that is unique to Hokitika, the Whitebait Pizza shouldn’t be missed.

Be Brave On The Treetop Walkway

Looking for a thrill while you’re in Hokitika? How about climbing 40 meters into the treetops to see birds eye views of the area?

The Treetop Walkway is just outside of Hokitika near Lake Mahinapua and offers a unique view of the area as well as an opportunity to see some of the local birdlife that usually spends most of their time in the tree canopy.

There are several walkway options here including a wheelchair friendly option and a tree height tower!

Prices start at $18, you can prebook your tickets here

How many of these cheap and free things to do in Hokitika have you added to your West Coast Itinerary?

It’s quite easy to explore the West Coast without spending much. If you’re heading North from here, checkout our guide to the best cheap and free things to do in Greymouth (written by a local!)