Lake Kaniere & Hokitika Gorge - so beautiful

louis3471
Nov 27, 2025
2 min read

Sunday 2 October

Making the most of the Hokitika region - we woke to a sublimely calm vista over Lake Kaniere with just the calls of the birdlife in the bush around us and honks & wahs of the ducks on the lake.

Midmorning we set off on the gravel track round the south end of the lake to the Hokitika Gorge. We paused along the way to visit Dorothy Falls which apparently are a popular swimming hole in the summer - but quite chilly today. We are going

We stopped again to admire the incredible view as we crossed over the Styx River (not that one, we may be old, but we’re not that old!) - I walked back across the bridge to catch a few shots, and the cattle in the field nearby got all excited and came trotting over to stand by the river and stare at me - so funny!

Our next stop was Kokotahi. in a futile search for coffee for Louis - we visited the Healing Fair at the hall which had some fun arts and crafts on sale as well as reiki, massage, tarot and reflexology stands. I was keen to go and see what was happening with all the horseboxes over in the far paddocks - there were show jumps set up and a manège all layed out but it all seemed to be a private event.

Leaving Kokotahi we twice crossed a beautiful crystal clear stream - Duck Creek - we hear so much about polluted waters in farming districts, but this looked so clean and lovely.

At the Gorge we followed the walkway along with a host of international tourists… so many languages! After the huge rain storms we were fortunate to see the glacial milky water the gorge is famous for rather than torrents of muddy brown flood waters we had recently encountered in the Buller and other alpine rivers. It was absolutely stunning and almost looks photoshopped. As the glaciers melt, the water mixes with “glacial flour” which is generated by the ice grinding against rock walls, and creates this ethereal minty turquoise colour as sunlight reflects on the tiny rock crystals.

The track has been well modernised and is a great 2km loop with swing bridges, view points & an opportunity to climb down to the beach and test the water temperature (icy ❄️). We put our fingers in, but one European couple stripped down to their undies, and against DOC advice, waded in for a dip and a cold soak - utter madness!

Back at the carpark there were several cheeky wekas harassing the returning walkers and trying to cadge a few treats from them! The road back to Lake Kaniere was a series of 90* bends as it hugged the square boundaries of fields and properties.

Back at Banjo we had lunch then Louis worked on a track for a client while I went for a walk.