The forecast today wasn’t that great as as we drove towards the Hokitika Gorge in the morning the mist and low cloud turned to drizzle and mist. There were a few cars at the gorge walk car park and more than a few large sandflies as well, maybe the bites distracted me as I set off up the service road rather than along the path to the gorge. It didn’t make a lot of difference in the end, we just didn’t get the gorge views until the return.
We walked to the end of the track, passing over the swing bridge over the gorge and taking a good look at the milky aqua coloured water. At the end of the track a few photos were taken as the rain fell, I tried not to take too long.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
We walked back up the correct path and stopped to watch a few more people crossing the bridge below. One couple had a bright pink umbrella which looked like it’s be a nice focal point so I sat for ages waiting for them to get onto the center of the bridge.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Rather than return the same way we took a different route which went around the eastern shore of Lake Kaniere. We stopped to take a couple of very short walks, first to see the Dorothy Falls and then following the steam to the shore of the lake.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
That was about it for the touring for the day. Given we were in Hokitika we spent some of the afternoon wandering around the various shops, specifically the Pounamu (New Zealand Greenstone or nephrite jade) stores. We didn’t buy much, just a few off cut lumps rather than any nice sculpted pieces. There was a photo gallery called the Wilderness Gallery that I wanted to visit in Hokitika but unfortunately it was being refurbished.
After shopping and relaxing we had dinner at Stumpers, a strong recommendation from many people who had written in the cottage guest book. The food was very good and the portions were large, I can see why many people went back multiple times during their stay in Hokitika.
After dinner I got Phil to do me a favour and drive the car around the Hokitika clock tower a few times to help with a photo. No one seemed to bat an eyelid at the photographer and the car going around and around. Mind you there was another car that seemed to be spending a lot more time going back and forth around the tower which seemed a little strange as they didn’t have the photography excuse. Maybe they were just lost.
Photo by Brendon & Keryn
This was our last night on the West Coast, the next destination Arthur’s Pass.
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