Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(
www.hokitikaglass.co.nz
;
9 Weld St)
Glass art covering a continuum from garish to glorious;
watch the blowers at the furnace on weekdays.
WHITEBAIT FEVER
On even the swiftest of visits to the Coast, you are sure to come across a little whitebait or two, whether being
sold from Womble's back door, in a pattie sandwich, in museums, or in tales tall and true. These tiny, transparent
fish are the young of some of NZ's precious native fish, including inanga, kokopu, smelt and even eels. Strangely
enough, they all look and taste the same.
Commanding up to $80 a kilo round these parts (and much more elsewhere), competition is tough to net the
elusive fish. The season runs from August to November, when riverbanks and fishing stands are busy from Kara-
mea to Haast.
The classic pattie recipe involves little more than an egg, and is accompanied by a wedge of lemon, although
some would say that mint sauce is the best embellishment. The
Whitebait!
exhibition at Hokitika Museum (
Click
here
) will give you some idea as to what all the fuss is about.
Tours
Wilderness Wings
( 0800 755 8118;
www.wildernesswings.co.nz
;
Hokitika Airport; flights from $285)
Offers scenic flights
over Hokitika, and further afield to Aoraki/Mt Cook and the glaciers.
SCENIC FLIGHTS
Festivals & Events
Driftwood & Sand
(
www.driftwoodandsand.co.nz
)
During a week in January, flotsam and jetsam is fashioned into a
surprising array of arty, crafty and daft sculpture on Hokitika beach.
ART
Wildfoods Festival
(
www.wildfoods.co.nz
)
Held in early March, this festival attracts thousands of curious and
brave gourmands who eat a whole lot of things they would usually flee from or flick from
their hair. Legendary fun; book early.
FOOD
Sleeping
Drifting Sands
HOSTEL
$
