Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From Hokitika it's 140km south to Franz Josef Glacier. Most travellers fast forward
without stopping, but there are some satisfying stopping points for the inclined. Intercity
and Naked buses stop along this stretch of SH6.
Lake Mahinapua
On the highway eight kilometres south of Hokitika is the car park for the
Mahinapua
Walkway
(two hours one way), a wonderful walk along an old logging tramway with rel-
ics and a diverse range of forest. (It's an even better bike ride.) Two kilometres further on
is the entrance to
Lake Mahinapua Scenic Reserve
, with a picnic area, DOC campsite
and several short walks.
Five kilometres further on is a signposted turn-off to the
West Coast Treetops Walk-
way
( 050 887 3386, 03-755 5052;
www.treetopsnz.com
; 1128 Woodstock-Rimu Rd; aduld/child
$38/15; 9am-5pm)
, a further 2km away. This steel walkway - 450 metres long and
20m off the ground - offers an unusual perspective on the rainforest canopy, featuring
many old rimu and kamahi. The highlight is the 40m high tower, from which there are
extensive views across Lake Mahinapua, the Southern Alps, and Tasman Sea. There's a
cafe and souvenir shop in the information centre which also has a large sun-drenched
patio.
Ross
Ross, 30km south of Hokitika, is where the unearthing of NZ's largest gold nugget (the
2.772kg 'Honourable Roddy') caused a kerfuffle in 1907. The
Ross Goldfields Heritage
Roddy, along with a scale model ($2) of the town in its shiny years.
The
Water Race Walk
(one hour return) starts near the museum, passing old gold-dig-
gings, caves, tunnels and a cemetery. Try
gold panning
by hiring a pan from the inform-
ation centre ($10) and head to Jones Creek to look for Roddy's great, great grandnuggets.
Established in 1866, the
Empire Hotel
(19 Aylmer St; meals $15-25)
is one of the West
Coast's hidden gems, the bar (and many of its patrons) testament to a bygone era.
Breathe in the authenticity, along with a whiff of woodsmoke, over a pint and an honest
meal.
