Hostel at Motueka

Lake Kaniere at Hokitika

Dorothy falls along Lake Kaniere

Blue pools at the top of Hokitika gorge


26th June 2010

Quick up date for 26th June - spent the day looking around Hokitika the adjacent valley and gorge. Again blessed with good weather so able to take two walks, one along lake Kaniere and the other part way up the Mt Tahua track. The first walk took me alongside the lake through wooded areas, unfortunately the views of the lake and Mt Tahua was obscured. Walked only part of the lakeside, 8 hr walk in total so only did an hour and a half, pleasant but fairly dull. The second walk was more interesting and much more difficult being an uphill hike right from the start. After only half an hour the track became very steep and slippery so decided to call it a day, did not want a twisted ankle and miss out on the glacier walk.

Most of the road around the lake is unsurfaced, but is still in good condition for driving. Visited Dorothy falls which promised much more than it delivered, maybe better after rain. Took the dirt track back to the metalled road and drove up to the valley head and into the gorge proper, again road surface turned to dirt. I did not work out why a suspension bridge (foot traffic only) would have been built in the location as there did not seem to be any walks/tramps the opposite side to the car park. However the footbridge crossed the gorge and following a short path was able to drop down to the water's edge. Beautiful blue pools which I would imagine would be ideal swimming holes in the summer. On the way down was entertained by a fantail - delightful little bird similar in size to a long tailed tit. It flitted all around me and in the gloom did try to take a few photo's. When it flies it spreads it's white tail feathers into a fan shape, very pretty.

In the evening watched the Wales/NZ rugby game, what a disappointment. Enjoyed a couple of Speight's dark beer though. Fairly early night.