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Tranquil
Lake Mahinapua
is 10km's south of Hokitika
and has a DOC campsite. The
water is surprisingly warm.
Fishing, canoeing, bird spotting,
mountain biking and the many
walks are popular here.
The
Hokitika Gorge is 33km's
from Hokitika. It is a short
walk from the carpark to a
viewing platform overlooking
unbelievable turquoise water.
Walk a little further across a
swing bridge to get closer to
the stunning blue river and
the sheer granite ravine. For a
beautiful scenic driving loop,
go to the Gorge, through dairy
country, around Lake Kaniere
visiting Dorothy Falls along the
way and home to Hokitika.
While the South Islands West
Coast is well known for its
magnifi cent scenery and
glaciers no visit to the area is
complete without experiencing
Shantytown Heritage Park.
The discovery of gold in 1864
led to a population "explosion"
- from around 300 to almost
30,000 residents. Isolation,
rugged terrain and extreme
weather conditions produced
fascinating stories of fortitude
and ingenuity.
This social history, as well as
the importance of steam and
early technology to the Coast's
development, is told through
displays at Shantytown.
The town's peaceful setting,
with its native forest backdrop
gives visitors the opportunity
to step to an earlier time,
experience a range of activities
and view fascinating relics from
days gone by.
West Coast
Take a rare steam train ride, pan for gold, experience the sights and
sounds of a working sawmill, watch a holographic show, explore the
new dispatch foundry and 3 preserved bush trams and get an old-time
photo, there's so much to see and do at Shantytown Heritage Park.
Call Free
0800 755 8118
Experience NZ's premiere
flightseeing with a MT COOK
& GLACIERS scenic flight!
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