Hokitika
Top things to do in Hokitika
Hokitika. Big skies, wild coastlines and yes, there's a place called Sock World.
Hokitika might be small, but it's full of surprises. Case in point: Sock World. It's exactly what it sounds like and, frankly, that alone is worth the detour. No giant sock in the town centre (yet), but you will find a giant clock. Possibly a miscommunication, but we're not here to judge.
West Coast sunsets are the real showstopper, especially from Sunset Point where the sky turns on every colour in the crayon box. Just inland, the Hokitika Gorge offers that unreal turquoise water you've probably seen on postcards. Add the Glow Worm Dell, Lake Kaniere and the nearby West Coast Treetop Walk to your to-do list for a mix of calm, colour and canopy-level views.
This is also the heart of New Zealand's pounamu (greenstone) carving industry. The stone is sourced from local rivers and transformed by skilled artists into something you probably shouldn't buy for yourself. Māori tradition says pounamu is a gift - not a souvenir. You'll want to get it right unless you're keen to tempt a 600-year curse.
Need another reason to land in Hokitika? It's the closest airport to the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. So pack layers, grab a good pair of socks (we know just the place) and get ready for a West Coast trip with a little attitude and a lot of scenery.