Car Rental Hokitika Airport

Touch down at Hokitika Airport, just 40 kilometres south from Greymouth in the South Island’s West Coast region and discover all the beauty and history that this precious little gem has to offer. At the mouth of the Hokitika River with the beach lapping at its heels, this laid-back town of friendly locals was once a gold mining settlement and major river port from 1860. If you’re keen to learn more about historic Hokitika, take the Heritage Trail to see its colonial buildings and pop into the Hokitika Museum, housed in the striking Carnegie Building. 

Hokitika is renowned today for its impressive natural features; the summertime iconic Wildfoods Festival, the driftwood sculptures showcased at the Beachwood and Sand celebration, but perhaps most significantly, as an eminent source of pounamu – a New Zealand jade that plays a valuable role in Māori culture. 

Greenstone carvings are considered a treasure, with a prestige that grows as it’s passed down through each generation. The galleries of Hokitika specialise in pounamu artwork, jewellery and other decorative objects. Fossicking in the nearby waters around Arahura River, north of the town, is a cultural activity akin to panning for gold, while the mighty mountains are another rich source of greenstone. Make sure you visit the artisans at the Mountain Jade workshop, reputed to be among the finest carvers in the country. Potters, goldsmiths, glass blowers, metalworkers, textile artists and woodturners are all equally at home in Hokitika. There are stacks of studios to watch art being made, while Take-a-Seat art installations are there when you need a rest from sightseeing. Be inspired by the array of creativity and pick up a gorgeously crafted piece as a special gift or memento of your travels. 

With its rich art and culture, natural wonders, fascinating history, and relaxed beach vibe, Hokitika is the perfect gateway for your West Coast odyssey. Gorges, glaciers, wilderness, wildlife and good times await you. Scenic charter flights from Hokitika Airport offer a stunning overview of the area, travelling down the Southern Alps to the astonishing Milford Sound. Closer to base camp, your hire car will allow you to explore all the best attractions with ease. So, take your time to unwind in this sleepy, coastal oasis – boasting all the benefits of a city – and find the essence of Hokitika, ‘The Place of Return’.

Dose up on Hokitika’s cool beach feel in your hire car 

A hidden patch of paradise, the vibrant Hokitika is touted as ‘The Cool Little Town’. It’s also regarded as one of the wettest places in New Zealand, so make sure you’ve packed your brolly and some good rain-weather gear. Though on a clear day, you’ll be able to admire the distant snow-capped peak of Aoraki/Mount Cook from the main street.

To relax and enjoy the ample charms of the town, head towards its heart – the beach. You’ll find dining with ocean views, cheerful seaside eateries, and indoor street stalls brimming with fresh local produce, baked treats, jewellery, crystals, crafts and more market fare. Stay till the sun sets over the water and warm yourself by a bonfire. After dark, make your way to a magical little spot on Hokitika’s outskirts: the Glow Worm Dell. Take the five-minute track by torchlight off the northern highway, and see these glowing nocturnal critters light up an enchanting fern-fringed grotto. 

Hop in your hire car and take in the grandeur of glaciers and Hokitika Gorge

Hokitika is centrally positioned to access amazing natural attractions, with only a short drive involved. The West Coast Tree Top Walk, just 15 minutes from Hokitika, allows you to experience the ancient giants of the Rimu and Kamahi temperate rainforests, and the active birdlife in their canopies. Look out to the mountains and over the Lake Mahinapua wetlands. The Mahinapua Walkway features an old tram line and is also suitable for mountain biking. 

Less than half-an-hour from town, the Hokitika Gorge is more breathtaking in real life than any postcard. Past granite rock faces and through lush native rainforest, winds the stunning blue-green waters of the Hokitika River. There’s a swing bridge, waterfalls, viewing platforms and even a little beach. Further along, you’ll be rewarded by sensational views of the gorge and Southern Alps foothills from the suspension bridge.

The great Southern Alps are the backbone of the South Island. One of the most awe-inspiring sights in the region, or anywhere in the world, is the Franz Josef Glacier. Drive south from Hokitika for just under two hours and you’ll be met with this epic, icy landscape. Be chilled from the valley floor up to its breathtaking blue formations as you rise higher. This World Heritage area and spectacular surroundings can be explored on foot – by taking a heli-hike with guides – or an aerial tour is recommended to experience its full magnificence. This may top your itinerary of West Coast wonders to explore when you set off from Hokitika Airport in your hire car.