HOKITIKA
When visiting Fat Pipi pizza take time to wander around Hokitika and its surrounding areas. There is plenty to see and do.
Around town there are numerous jade manufacturing stores where you can purchase a special toanga (treasure), or even carve your own. Wander into the Hokitika Museum and art gallery for a glimpse into the past and view local art. There are dozens of retail stores selling everything from souvenirs, Jade jewellery, possum skin products, hand-made socks, books, painted stones, photo supplies, clothing, second hand goods, flowers and gifts. There is a supermarket, two service stations, a number of hotels and bars and a variety of eateries and cafes including home-grown fish 'n' chips, freshly made juices, Thai, great pies, Indian, snacks and full blown steak meals. And of course, there is Fat Pipi pizza.
After you have wandered around town, visited the indoor market (all year round on Saturdays) and outdoor market (by the information center in summer months), jump into your car to visit the surrounding areas. Take a drive up to our airport for a great view out over the town, visit 'Seaview' on top of the hill by the lighthouse and the cemetery, once home to the notorious Hokitika Goal, Westland Hospital and Seaview Lunatic Asylum. There is a great info panel just inside the entrance to the cemetery. Travel to the Hokitika Gorge (33km), or Lake Kaniere where there is an excellent, easily accessible, signposted bush walk or further round to the Diana Falls. Maybe visit the treetop walk with views over Lake Mahinapua. Don't forget to spend some time wandering along our own beach and river bank in Hokitika, maybe inquire at the Hokitika Museum about a guided walking tour of Hokitika, background to Eleanor Catton's book The Luminaries. Sunset at Hokitika beach can be spectacular. Don't forget to grab a pizza first though.
View the Hokitika: Cool Little Town video here.
Around town there are numerous jade manufacturing stores where you can purchase a special toanga (treasure), or even carve your own. Wander into the Hokitika Museum and art gallery for a glimpse into the past and view local art. There are dozens of retail stores selling everything from souvenirs, Jade jewellery, possum skin products, hand-made socks, books, painted stones, photo supplies, clothing, second hand goods, flowers and gifts. There is a supermarket, two service stations, a number of hotels and bars and a variety of eateries and cafes including home-grown fish 'n' chips, freshly made juices, Thai, great pies, Indian, snacks and full blown steak meals. And of course, there is Fat Pipi pizza.
After you have wandered around town, visited the indoor market (all year round on Saturdays) and outdoor market (by the information center in summer months), jump into your car to visit the surrounding areas. Take a drive up to our airport for a great view out over the town, visit 'Seaview' on top of the hill by the lighthouse and the cemetery, once home to the notorious Hokitika Goal, Westland Hospital and Seaview Lunatic Asylum. There is a great info panel just inside the entrance to the cemetery. Travel to the Hokitika Gorge (33km), or Lake Kaniere where there is an excellent, easily accessible, signposted bush walk or further round to the Diana Falls. Maybe visit the treetop walk with views over Lake Mahinapua. Don't forget to spend some time wandering along our own beach and river bank in Hokitika, maybe inquire at the Hokitika Museum about a guided walking tour of Hokitika, background to Eleanor Catton's book The Luminaries. Sunset at Hokitika beach can be spectacular. Don't forget to grab a pizza first though.
View the Hokitika: Cool Little Town video here.