Greymouth to Hokitika
West Coast Self Drive Travel Guide.
Travel Facts
Distance: 40km (25 miles)
Approximately: 40 minutes
Road Conditions: State Highway 6
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Greymouth - Kumara Junction - Hokitika
This is an easy straight forward and interesting drive following the Coast line south from Greymouth to the Taramakau river crossing, on to Kumara Junction and Hokitika.
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From Greymouth follow State Highway 6 south, at the Taramakau River we come to one of those unique features of New Zeland roads the single lane bridge.
This bridge is even more unique in that it also provides the rail crossing for the Greymouth Hokitika Rail line. Remember the Train always has the right of way.
It is only a few minutes to Kumara Junction where we meet the rail line once more as we take the road south to Hokitika. This is well sign posted.
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An interesting stop is the HoneyPot Cafe at Kumara Junction, here you can Taste the Honey or purchase a memento from a range of local artisians.
From Kumara Junction following SH6 to Hokitika the road is interesting and easy traveling.
Hokitika
From about 1864 when the township first sprang up, it, like most other Coast towns was a centre of boasting gold miners, hundreds of hotels and liquor shops, dancing girls and a considerable population of diggers from many parts of the world.
At one stage boasting a regional population of 50,000 Hokitika was the sixth town in New Zealand, ranking after Nelson.
Hokitika is now a realatively quieter township than it was a 100 years ago, dependent upon farming and tourism.
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The majority of Hokitika's attractions are centered around the history and natural resources of the region. The National Kiwi Centre has the iconic kiwi and tuatara for the visitor to view up close. Feeding time for the eels is another popular event, with some of these said to be over 100 years in age.
Natural Hokitika
There are many attractive spots within easy reach of the township, including Lakes Kaniere and Mahinapua. The rich dairy lands of Kokatahi and Kowhitirangi and the popular must see Hokitika Gorge Scenic Reserve.
The Hokitika beach is a great place for memorable sunsets, for the best make your way to sunset point where the Hokitika river meets the Tasman sea. Following rain or a stormy Tasman the beach is also a good place to fossick for pieces of ponamu (jade) that have been washed up.
Welcome to Hokitika - enjoy your stay
This Guide last Updated: November 2010.
Driving Distance and Times
The distances and times within the Travel Guides are based on travel at an average of 80 to 90kmph in good weather and light to medium traffic, allowing for a break of 10 minutes from driving in each full hour.
Allow extra time for:
Sight seeing, Heavier traffic conditions, Inclement weather and any other needs you have.
There are many factors beyond the authors and our control that can and will impact upon the true distance travelled and time taken to complete any journey.
This guide last Updated: November 2010.
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