LocationAccommodationDeetzAucklandVerandahs Backpacker LodgeThis cute 1900’s hostel is nestled in the heart of the city. The verandahs is a great hangout spot & you have an incredible view of Auckland harbour!Waiheke ...

Okarito Lagoon is New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland. A coastal lagoon, it is 130 kilometers south of Hokitika, covering an area of about 12km, and it’s pretty epic! Home to ...

The gold rush sparked the founding of Hokitika in the 1860s, but today it may best be known for its jade, or New Zealand greenstone. It’s a must-stop for learning ...

I had a great itinerary around the South Island which was perfect for a New Zealand honeymoon. We started in Christchurch, drove to Picton via Kaikoura, hiked Queen Charlotte, then ...

Obviously, I don’t know how long you plan on spending on the West Coast, but I’m going to assume it’s 3 – 4 nights. I’d spend the first night in ...

• Do not, and I repeat, do not find yourself in the position of having to fill up your tank in Franz Josef. We paid 2NZD p/l (yes, really!) because ...

Another 30 minutes south is Hokitika, a former thriving gold mining town which is now known for its production of greenstone and interesting festivals throughout the year, including the Wild ...

It’s a long drive over Haast Pass to Queenstown, so break it up into several days if time allows. From the town of Hokitika, it takes about 5.5 hours, not including ...

The Gold Room, located in Hokitika (a bit south of Greymouth) on the west coast is well worth a visit. They have a large collection of gold nuggets that includes ...

From Christchurch – The most common way for travelling to Franz Josef is via Christchurch through the Arthurs Pass on the TransAlpine Train, which takes you past spectacular mountain ranges, ...

In fact the Maori name for the South Island is Te Wai Pounamu or the Land of the Greenstone Water, and if you visit, there are plenty of spots, especially on the ...

Centre such as the National Kiwi Centre in Hokitika are incredibly family friendly and can be explored at your own pace.  Other animals you'll find here are the giant longfin ...

I remember driving down the west coast as a teenager on a family holiday (dad was actually driving) and I found it to be utterly boring! Bear that in mind ...

North of Franz Josef Glacier, the road continues through the sleepy farming towns of Whataroa and Hari Hari followed by the coastal town of Hokitika which is famous for its ...

Wake up and get an early start on driving! Stop off for coffee (or lunch, if you didn’t get such an early start!) and walk around this adorable town. My ...

Overlooking the Hokitika River and the surrounding mountains, Rimu Lodge is a cosy family-run lodge with excellent views and welcoming owners. It’s a 10-minute drive from Hokitika town center. Check ...

If you’re going to stop anywhere along the way, the coastal town of Hokitika is your best bet. The fish and chips are always best on the coast too! ...

Day 8 and we were headed from Greymouth to Franz Joseph Glacier down the scenic west coast, we chose to split the journey by stopping off at Hokitika – there ...

From Hokitika it’s a little under two hours to Franz Josef. There’s a few places to check out along the way which we cover in this post about the drive ...

After Hobbiton, it was time to make a bee-line to Hokitika on the South Island. The journey would encompass nearly 1,000km including a picturesque ferry between Wellington and Picton. There ...

The town of Hokitika is famous for the green stone that washes up on the beaches. If you find a good piece, you can bring them to a studio and ...

My road trip from Christchurch to Queenstown didn’t end in New Zealand’s adventure capital, not exactly. After I took a day trip from Queenstown to the famous Milford Sound, I ...

Few road trips in New Zealand are as spectacular as the one over Arthurs Pass. Aside from the breathtaking views in every direction you look, you’ll be able to do ...

Ruby Rock is a type of precious gemstone only found near the town of Hokitika – this rock contains ruby, sapphire and tourmaline. Artists Gerry and Corrie run their own ...

The drive from Fox River to Franz Josef Glacier is, guess what, LONG.  Stopping in the cute town of Hokitika is a good place to stretch the legs, grab some ...

The drive to Hokitika is about 3 hours 15 min, which means if you leave Christchurch after breakfast, you’ll have plenty of time to start your road trip without rushing ...

45 minutes south of Greymouth is Hokitika, home of the greenstone crafts. Or jade. It goes by many names. Crafty people will enjoy watching jade carvings or glass blowing (free) ...

Shops, where you can buy crystals and different type of stones, are to be found literally all over New Zealand. Especially in hippie towns such as Coromandel and Takaka. The ...

Time to continue your road trip through the New Zealand South Island! Whenever you finally drag yourself away from Takaka, hop back in the car and make the five-hour drive ...

There are lots of accommodation and camping options in Hokitika, the most unusual of which is the Seaview Lodge and Campground. This building has a lovely vantage point on top ...

Dave hasn’t taken his Green Stone (Kiwi for Jade) off since our first trip to New Zealand in 2011. When you are on the west coast of the country, be sure ...

Featured16 Jaw-dropping things to do in New PlymouthNew Plymouth has it all: wild and spectacular coastline, the sensational Mount Taranaki, magical glow worm dells, epic waterfalls and hiking trails, as ...

Today we made our way further up the west coast, with a quick stop in Hokitika where we attempted to find some glow worms in an open cave areas. It ...