The West Coast - New Zealand's South Island - page 232

Sunset Point
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(Gibson Quay) A spectacular vantage point at any time of day, this is - as the name suggests -
the primo place to watch the light fade away. Surfers, seagulls, and fish and chips: this is
New Zealand.

LOOKOUT

Hokitika Heritage Walk
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Pick up the 50-cent leaflet from the i-SITE and wander the old wharf precinct. Another
brochure details the Hokitika Heritage Trail , a 11km (two to three hour) loop taking in historic
sites and interesting town views.

WALK

Glowworm Dell
Just north of town, a short stroll from SH6 leads to a Glowworm Dell, an easy opportunity
to enter the other-wordly home of NZ's native fungus gnat larvae (so not even a worm at
all). An information panel at the entrance will further illuminate your way.

NATURAL FEATURE

Lake Kaniere
( www.doc.govt.nz ) Lying at the heart of a 70-sq-km scenic reserve, beautiful Lake Kaniere is
8km long, 2km wide, 195m deep, and also quite cool, as you'll discover if you swim. You
may, however, prefer simply to camp or picnic at Hans Bay ( www.doc.govt.nz ) , or undertake one
of numerous walks in the surrounds, ranging from the 15-minute Canoe Cove Walk to the
seven-hour return gut-buster up Mt Tuhua. The historic Kaniere Water Race Walkway (3½
hours one way) forms part of the new West Coast Wilderness Trail.

LAKE

Hokitika Gorge
( www.doc.govt.nz ) A picturesque 35km drive leads to Hokitika Gorge, a ravishing ravine with
unbelievably turquoise waters coloured by glacial 'flour'. Point and shoot the scene from
every angle via the short forest walkway and swingbridge. The gorge is well signposted
from Stafford St (past the dairy factory). En route, you will pass Kowhitirangi , the site of
NZ's first mass-murder and a massive 12-day manhunt (immortalised in the 1982 classic
film Bad Blood ). A poignant roadside monument lines up the farmstead site through a
stone shaft.

GORGE

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