For many the Haast Pass is the scenic drive from Wanaka to the glaciers, with a stop at the Blue Pools. But if you do a little research you will see the drive is filled with fantastic sites, provided you’re prepared to stop often, and take a short walk. In order, on the drive up from Haast, make sure you check out Depot Creek falls (20 mins from Haast on the right, 200 walk metres walk), Roaring Billy Falls (23 mins from Haast on the left, signposted with car park, 15 mins walk on a flat track, but the rainforest scenery along the way is superb), Thunder Creek Falls (40 mins from Haast on the left, 5 mins walk to the right of the car park), Fantail Falls (45 mins from Haast on the right, 2 mins walk from the carpark). And finally, the Blue Pools, which has heaps of parking, but is also popular with bus tours and day trippers from Wanaka and Queenstown. This is about a 40 minute walk each way. There’s also plenty of places to pull over and admire the scenery, the bridges, river etc. There are no shops or cafes between Haast and Makaroa, so stock up.

I love this drive, love the waterfalls, forest and the road is good!

This is an absolutely amazing drive and don't forget to stop here just on the way into Fox Glacier from Wanaka. The Haast Pass is amazing with so many photo opportunities and waterfalls 👌👌

Wonderful photos

Definitely with a stop at some waterfalls and the breathtaking view over the bridge.

Stunning place with great views all the way. The scenery is constantly changing and no matter where you look you will get breathtaking views of snow capped mountains to massive forests and roaring rivers. there is so many differnt places to stop along the way especially along the haast river where there is so many waterfalls including the thunder creek and fantail falls. another stop is the blue pools which are great for swimming. Both sides of the drive have great final destinations whether it be the seaside town of haast with massive waves and great seafood or the great place of wanaka with skiing and lots of other stuff.

Mountain scenery, rain forest, tree ferns a water fall and cicadas. Don't miss if you are touring South Island. The only services are at Haast or just north of Lake Wanaka at makarora. There is a rest area and campsite about half way with drinking water and toilets. Apart from that this is unspoilt countryside.

We stopped here on our way to Wanaka as a means to stretch our legs & to have a light snack which we had carried with us. Toilets are available. One could get stunning views of Tasman sea. There are few parking spaces also making it an ideal stop for travelers who have been driving for long.

A good account of the road opening of the West Coast and Otago region back in 1965. The views and atmosphere are panoramic looking down the Coast and upwards towards the mountains. Call in and check out the views and history 👌.

Excellent viewpoint and no sand flies anywhere near you! Also has a toilet which is nice. Would recommend going at sunrise/sunset.

Besides having an awesume view,Knights Point Lookout has wifi coverage and public toilets. We had to return to Knights Point Lookout to get wifi and mobile coverage to make an important phone call to family from a freedom camp we had stayed the night before. Both times to Knights Point were welcomed.

Beautiful lookout worth the stop on the way to Haast, but don't use the public toilets they are aweful.

I went on a very windy and rainy day. So not much of a view. But it was beautiful

If you are using Apple Map to come to this place…. don’t! Took us in a long way in to nowhere on unpaved off-road path. Waze map is fine & accurate. This place is also a toilet break stop with extremely dirty toilet & strong unpleasant smell. View isn’t that beautiful… my personal opinion.

Booked thr GYG. Thanks helicopter line for the awesome experience on the Heli Hike on 24th Sept 11am (really thankful for the good weather too). We had 2 guides with us and they were both very informative and caring. Appreciate the smooth heli ride too.

Kia ora, Thanks for your arrangement that I DO enjoyed the activity. I never see such magnificent views , that is more than awesome. Emma from Alpine Guides is really a thoughtful and professional instructor,Scott and Andy are also with kindness to inspire me up, that did release me from nervous mode. I hope we can meet up again. Sincerely, Helen

Honestly, the experience itself was decent, but the reason I’m rating three stars is I can’t help but feel like this was a bit of a tourist trap… and I left feeling slightly cheated. For about $1000 per person you get taken on a very short helicopter ride to do a 100m “hike” on Tasman Glacier. The hike isn’t really a hike, more a very short walk to two “caves” in the glacier. One of the caves was completely man made with pickaxes - which isn’t what this company advertises. The ice caves themselves look NOTHING like they do in the photos on the website - in reality they are very small and barely enough for one person. They’re not even really “caves” at all, more like just small holes in the ice that the guides carve out seats in If this experience were half the price it was I would still say it was overpriced. You are not going to get the grand meters tall ice walls they show you in the brochure Our guides on the other hand were great, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic - which is the reason I did not give two stars. If you’re debating doing this trip because of the high price, I’d say skip it and save your money - there’s so much other great stuff to spend your money on in the South Island Also, guys, for $1000 it would be nice if you supplied boots in all sizes - I had to wear boots that were nearly two sizes too big. What are we doing here?

Simply amazing glacial walk experience with the best guide one would ever wish for - Narly. He seems to be a bit of a local legend having been up Mt Cook 45 times and even Everest! Extremely insightful experience which shows the real dynamic nature of glaciers.

Had a great flight of 55minutes. Sam was a very friendly pilot, he could tell us a lot about what we were seeing and the entire flight went super smooth. There was almost no wind so he joked it was quite easy to give us this wonderful flight but still I think he was very experienced and I felt absolutely safe.

Our guide, Carey, was amazing and watches over our safety really closely. He’s very engaging and made all of our comfortable from the beginning. High recommend this tour to view the tasman glacier as you’ll be in good hands.

Went helihiking with Brian. Great hike, easy and interesting. Brian really knows his stuff. Made the walk back to Glenntanner an incredible experience.

The museum is dedicated to Sir Edmund Hillary while he was in Aoraki training in preparation for his ascent on Everest. It also has the 1st glacier landing plane located there. Awesome 👌

This is attached to the hermitage hotel it has a large shop selling hiking gear but quite expensive it has very few general items. The cafe on the first floor is welcome after the hiking but can get very crowded when the tours return. There is a small museum

My wife is really interested in Sir Edmund Hillary and we were really interested in visiting the museum. Don't bother. Most of the museum talks above the alpine centre and area itself. Yes, I find that somewhat interesting, but paying $25 per adult I thought I'd get more. Get a free month on Netflix and watch some documentaries instead.

Save yourself $25 and just don't bother with this. Vaguely interesting yes but at the end of the day it is poorly presented and isn't much more than a small collection of books and photos. So much more could be done to present the story of this man in an amazing way. Until then save yourself the money

We were only visitors for a short stay. Haven't made good use of this centre. You can get information here and can also buy supplies for the climbing the snow mountains. There' s also a museum and movie to watch. It's a pity that we didn't have time to enjoy all these. Hope I can stay a few days here next time when I came.

A great perspective o the history of the nz Alps and sir Edmund Hilary.

Tourist trap. You spend there 20 minutes for $25. Mount Cook National Park visitor centre nearby is much better and free.

Been planning this visit for 2 years now. Finally got the chance to go but unfortunately the Hooker Valley Track has been closed from the first bridge onwards. It is set to open Autumn 2026. So hopefully we make it for that next year. Otherwise, everything was so stunning. Seeing Mt.Cook right in front of me made me feel some sort of emotion- i cannot describe . I will definitely be going again in the winter.

If you are in New Zealand and you didn’t visit Mount Aoraki then it is a bog miss, not fulfilled of your trip. It is a mind blowing view from any place, the road trip is awesome and refreshing journey. The picture you will be taken will not present how beautiful the serenity is. Just be there, spend some time, be quiet, make your own way, stop somewhere and breathe.

Wonderful, soring mountains, glacier and native bush walks. Can be busy, but tracks are well built for the numbers. Take your time to soak or all in. DOC information centre worth a visit for informative display.

The Aoraki/Mt Cook NP Visitors Center is one of the best I have ever explored. I have a particular interest in exploration, trekking, and history of those activities. If you do too, it is well worth an hour or so of your time. Mt Cook has been a proving ground for great mountaineers and the center documents many of those who passed through. The presentations on rescues was fascinating too. It was also the first I've seen that gives props to the first women explorers. First females, essentially climbing in dresses, had great stories.

This tourist center is worth a visit for everyone. It showcases the history, development and construction process of Mt. Cook, as well as the protection of the mountain's environment and wildlife.

While we were watching the movie (which is very interesting!), we essentially got kicked out of the building at 11:30AM by the tenant, because it’s here lunch hour!!!! So my understanding is that no matter how many people are in there (we must have been about 20 or more, the parking is full), she emptied the building so she can have here lunch. I’m fine with people taking a break, don’t get me wrong, but isn’t there a better way to treat visitors who drove hours to get there? This is an internationally famous area, with loads of visitors year round! While the video explains how proud the Kiwis are about Aoraki Mount Cook, a Kiwi kicked if out of the visitor center! Now, this being said, if you can get in when it’s open, it’s beautiful in there, great book shop and exhibitions. But here we are in the car, watching groups after groups get turned around at the door!!

Free visitor center with loads of information on Mount Cook and Tasman Glacier. We were planning on visiting the famed Hooker Valley trail but its closed again. This visitor center will keep you occupied for at least 15 mins if you are keen on history and geography. Highly recommend!

Visited Hooker Valley in September 2025, and it was one of the most stunning walks we’ve ever done in New Zealand! The trail is well-marked, flat and accessible, making it perfect for all ages. Along the way, we crossed three beautiful suspension bridges, each offering unique perspectives of the surrounding mountains and rivers. The scenery is constantly changing, from braided glacial rivers and tussock-filled valleys to snow-capped peaks of Aoraki / Mount Cook. The highlight of the walk is Hooker Lake itself, with its turquoise waters and icebergs floating gently on the surface. The view of Mount Cook reflecting on the lake was breathtaking — truly a picture-perfect moment. Even though it was early spring, the air was crisp and refreshing, and there were still patches of snow that added to the dramatic landscape. We spent time at the lake, taking photos and enjoying the peacefulness of the area. The trail is about 10 km return but it feels easy thanks to the well-maintained path and gentle terrain. Hooker Valley Track is a must-do for anyone visiting Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park. It’s accessible, scenic and offers some of the best alpine views in New Zealand. Highly recommended for nature lovers and photographers alike!

Hooker Valley Track – Absolutely Breathtaking! We were blessed with great weather — clear skies but a bit chilly, which made the walk refreshing! Only the first bridge was open during our visit, so it was a shorter trail (about 15 minutes each way, 30 minutes total), but still totally worth it. The view was absolutely breathtaking — snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear water, and that stunning Mt Cook backdrop. Even with the limited access, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone heading to the area. ❄️✨

Good place to trek. Exceeded my expectations. It was a lovely sunny day when I went and I had a good enjoyable exercise day. 2 of the bridges were still closed but it's still worth going. Not difficult to walk. I saw people with wheelchairs along the way. Highly recommended.

Hike was done in early Oct , 2nd swing bridge is closed so we didnt find the terrain too difficult. Very scenic. Great weather on the day we hiked so all was good. Highly recommended.

Stunning scenarios and views. Would reccomend to go on a hike here. We came during spring, the weather was good, there wasn't much of a crowd and the air was fresh and clean. The hiking trails are decent, safe, and can be easily spotted so its really hard to get loss.

This world-famous track is all over social media on a blue-sky day, but honestly, it’s just as stunning when the weather turns moody — cloudy or light rain gives the whole valley a dramatic, almost mystical vibe. Of course, if it’s pouring down or snowing heavily, it’s better to stay away for safety reasons. And on a foggy day, visibility gets so low that walking into the valley kind of defeats the purpose. The track itself is medium-level at most. With some basic gear you can easily finish it. Still, whether it’s summer or winter, make sure you bring proper layers and rain protection — the weather in the valley isn’t exactly four-seasons-in-one-day, but it can be as unpredictable as someone in love. The swing bridges, the glacier lake and the Hooker River are absolute highlights — not that you can miss them anyway. If you’re lucky, you might catch a full view of Aoraki / Mt Cook, but most of the time the summit hides behind the clouds. And if you ever get to witness the golden glow on the peak at sunrise or sunset, that’s pure magic — a real blessing. Trust me, unless the track is closed or visibility is dangerously low, spending around four hours here is worth it at any time.

it was a bit crowded when we visited in the beginning of march, but we were lucky to get a parking slot 😅 the way leads you through the stunning scenery of the mountains along the amazing glacier river until the lake - no steep part, it goes up and down in a really easy way and is mostly flat... also some boardwalk parts and three swing bridges to cross the river 😍🥰 definitely a must-do👍🏻✨️

This was truly a once in a lifetime experience. We were so lucky to have the opportunity to e-bike and hike towards the Fox Glacier with two incredible guides giving us an unforgettable and humbling experience with mother nature at her best. Billy and Jake were amazing guides and this experience will always be something I will cherish forever. ❤️

Our morning helihike was cancelled due to poor weather but they were able to reschedule us for the same afternoon when the rain cleared. What a surreal experience 🥹❄️ surrounded by deep blue crevasses and endless peaks, our guide Jake worked tirelessly to carve a way through the ice 🧊 for us. What an absolute legend. Sadly, it’s unlikely Fox Glacier will survive its current form for future generations due to warming temperatures so knowing the glacier is retreating makes this even more special for us. A rare moment in time we will never forget.

This was one of the best things I’ve ever done in my life, let alone in my trip to NZ! The preparation and safety briefing beforehand was thorough and professional. The helicopter ride was amazing. Then we got to spend around three hours on the glacier, hiking around, climbing up and down carved ice steps, drank glacier water straight from the source, and squeezed and slid through an ice cave. Massive thanks to our awesome guide, Serena. This was truly unforgettable and worth every penny!

Really a must try activity in NZ though it’s kinda expensive. But for the helicopter ride and 3 hours of hiking on the glacier, I would say it’s worth it. I feel safe throughout the activity and they provide good and ample attire and equipments to ensure you are safe and dry. The guides and the service staffs at the check in are all very professional and friendly.

We had an amazing glacier hike with our guide Keely! She was professional, super friendly, and made the experience unforgettable. We felt safe, learned a lot, and had so much fun. Highly recommend!

My experience was a dream. The check-in person was very clear with all the information, also the briefing pre-flight has all the needed info. The gear is very good quality. The helicopter flight is short but so much fun. Our guide was so professional and nice. He actually made sure that everyone was wearing all the gear correctly and made sure to clearly explain how to use everything. If he saw somebody struggling on the hike, he made sure to give quick tips to make their hike more comfortable (How to walk, how to properly use the walking poles...) I felt super safe at all times. I actually got worried when we arrived to the glacier because I thought the hike was going to be too hard for me but it was actually very nice. Even though we went up higher than usual (I had a very small group) I was so ready to keep going! I loved that there was no rush, they gave you enough time to take pictures and enjoy the view, but they also made sure to keep us on track so we could enjoy as much as possible. He took us to cool little ice caves and gave us a lot of fun facts. We were joined by a sherpa that has been there for 20 years who helped us go trough the toughest parts of the path. I think this was my favorite think I did in my 3 week trip to NZ.

As a wheelchair user, I was blown away to find out there was not only a way to get up on a glacier, but to actually get out on the glacier and explore. Everyone at Fox was amazing in facilitating my accessible adventure. I genuinely sensed that they were as excited as I was to be able to make this a reality. I felt safe the whole time and had an unforgettable three hours on the glacier. Heitor and Fiona and everyone else were delightful. I highly recommend it. #accessible

West Coast Wildlife Centre is an absolute must-visit if you’re in the area. The staff are so passionate and knowledgeable, it’s clear they care a lot about the conservation of local wildlife - especially the endangered kiwi. A lot of work goes into protecting and supporting the local kiwi population, and now the local penguin community too. A visit to the centre as of 18th October ‘25 now includes a walk through the kiwi habitat and the newly opened penguin enclosure, where the team provide a safe space for the little blue penguins who wouldn’t survive in the wild to live their best life. You’ll learn a lot and see some truly adorable local NZ wildlife. 10/10 absolutely recommend.

Really interesting place to visit in Franz Josef. There are lots of outdoorsy activities to get involved with in this area but if you ever the weather is nit so good, or youre lookjbv for something different to do, and recommend this place. We booked the VIP entrance which gave us access to the kiwi egg incubating/ area and hatching and Tuatara back area. You will see kiwis, Tuatara and little penguins on the standard entrance ticket. It was fascinating and the host was full of interesting facts and info. This is not a zoo. The work being done here is in conjunction with Govt departments and is all about conservation. You will learn alot about these unique animals. You get a chance to see kiwis in as near to a natural environment as is possible. As such, I would not recommend for those with toddlers, as the kiwi area is dark and you are expected to be very quiet in order to catch a glimpse. You choice though. However, there are Kororoa / little penguins to make up for it and they're easily accessible. Coffee area and gift shop here too. Would recommend.

Amazing experience! If you have a rainy day in Franz Josef and looking for an indoor activity, book yourselves the vip backstage tour. In our tour, we learned about the kiwi conservation efforts and even got to see a 23 day old kiwi behind glass being weighed, absolutely adorable. All exhibitions were extremely interesting but the regular kiwi and penguin exhibition was the highlight! Kiwis are kept in dark rooms and they were so easy to spot and very active when we visited. Little blue penguins are so social and curious! Could’ve watched them for hours. 10/10 experience.

Part of our organize tour, we visited this wildlife center .. we got to see the blue penguins, the guide gave us so much information about them , very interesting.. then we had to be quiet , we entered a very dark room , no photos allowed but we were lucky enough to see a real kiwi in his habitat .. of course lots of teaching given .. as you exist , a gift shop awaits you..

If you are looking to learn about what makes New Zealand so special this is your place! We did the VIP backstage, which we HIGHLY recommend. Devin was very knowledgeable and most importantly extraordinarily excited about his work! You could feel the passion oozing out of him. Seeing rare species and learning about the hard work this centre is doing to preserve it was amazing. A must do!

An absolutely wonderful place to learn about and see kiwis, the backstage tour where you can see the kiwi eggs and learn more about how they get and incubate them was definitely worth it! Their gift shop also has a vast selection of kiwi and NZ themed items as well. Highly recommend for anyone in the area or driving through. The penguins and extremely unique Tuataras were also really cool!

I have to agree with some of the lower starred reviews. This was a very expensive experience for not a lot of value. We arrived late in the day, on a wet day…the (2) kiwis on show that day were elusive and the penguins were in their burrows so we didn’t get to see them at all. Would have liked to have learnt more about the rescue operation but it was all based on reading panels which weren’t very engaging - more videos of the kiwis programmes would have been better. If you want a decent experience buy the Backstage pass maybe and be there for the penguin feeding - otherwise very $$$$ for what it was. Took all of 15 minutes to see what we could. And sorry but the exhibits are just not modern or interactive enough for the value.

The absolute highlight of our trip to New Zealand. If you're looking for excitement, teamwork, professionalism, animal welfare, and fun, you've come to the right place. From the very first moment, Ian impressed us with his professional, calm, and positive attitude. Ian makes it clear that seeing a kiwi is almost impossible, but that we can do it as a team. The whole tour is based on teamwork, and Ian is a top leader. We never thought the tour would be so exciting and that we would learn so much about kiwis and how to successfully observe animals. Ian makes something very special possible—seeing kiwis in their natural environment. You're not just there to watch, you have to do something yourself to make the sighting a success, and you have to do it in complete darkness and silence—that's what makes it so special. At the end of the day, you feel proud of your team and yourself. We were lucky enough to spot two kiwis (a couple) and are still thrilled by the experience. It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we are very grateful for it. We can highly recommend Ian and the tour.

Ian is an exceptional kiwi tour guide (if not THE exceptional kiwi tour guide) and we had such an amazing experience! The special thing about this tour is that it depends on the teamwork and motivation of all the participants to successfully see kiwi. We were given the tools and wisdom needed from Ian in order to see the rare Okarito kiwis! This made the adventure incredibly rewarding. We were lucky enough to hear a kiwi pair make their calls to each other and snuffle (for 45 minutes…!) After patiently waiting into the night, everyone on our tour was able to see both of the kiwis…a surreal and incredible viewing. And only made possible by the expertise of Ian. If you have an opportunity to book this tour, you won’t regret it! We are still buzzing about this night! Thank you Ian! 😊 -Andie & Dane

This trip was amazing. Ian was so informative & engaging right from the get go telling us about the Okarito/Rowi kiwi, their habitat & what we’d be getting involved with over the course of the night. His instructions were clear, concise allowing the small group of us to get the most out of the tour. Of which we did handsomely, by seeing the whole family of kiwis in their natural habitat all without disturbing them in their usual activities. Ian made sure everyone knew what was needed so he could do his best to respectfully spot the kiwi’s. To hear their calls both male/female was just as impressive. This is no ordinary tour but if you want to have a true experience to see the kiwi especially the rarest species of all, not in an enclosure but the wild then this is not to be missed. Ian makes it a wonderful experience, you feel privileged at the end to have participated.

We had such an amazing experience looking for Rowi last night with Ian and the rest of our kiwi crew! We were fortunate enough to hear the call of kiwi mates, to quietly track a kiwi as it walked through the bush, and to finally sight a kiwi running down the forest path in front of us. It was truly an unforgettable experience! I especially appreciated Ian’s sincere respect for the birds and his emphasis on respecting their routine and avoiding disturbance to the birds. This magical night in the bush was a highlight of our trip in the South Island! Would highly recommend to anyone fortunate enough to snag a tour spot! Thanks again, Ian! Zach and Lucy

I'm a bit late in my review but better late than never! I have nothing but the utmost praise to give Ian for the tour and his service. I and my family were coming by outside of his usual tour season but he was kind enough to run a tour for us anyway and let us take our chances. Like any wildlife tour, you will have the best result if you buy into the experience, listen to advice, follow directions, and most of all, respect the wildlife. The directions for this tour may seem specific but they are all for a purpose as kiwis are very sensitive, shy birds and following directions mean you will get the best result. All wildlife tours are somewhat unpredictable and Ian was clear on the realities of what our experience may look like, and for most people it is true that they should temper their expectations. However, we were unbelievably lucky (and some of our luck was made with Ian's experience) and we were able to listen to the kiwis and their baby for over half an hour, and had 3 sightings of the kiwis, sometimes so close you could (but wouldn't) touch them! We didn't even have to wait very long though that's not often the case. In fact, we were so lucky that we ended the tour "early" after having so much success so we could leave the kiwi lovebirds in peace to enjoy the rest of their night undisturbed. I'm a wildlife biologist by trade so I understand how encounters can be and would do anything to have priceless experiences like this, but my family are not involved in that area whatsover and everyone was overjoyed at the tour and the chance to see any kiwis in the wild, let alone one of the rarest species. I paid for the tour as each of their birthday gifts and it was the best gift I could have possibly given them and a highlight of our trip. Everyone was giddy and full of smiles after, and we're not a family that shows much emotion! I can't thank Ian enough for his generosity in sharing this experience with my family. If you're ever up in Townsville across the pond I'll be happy to give you a tour in the Great Barrier Reef. Don't hesitate to book this fantastic (and affordable) tour! You won't regret it, A+!

The tour was an amazing experience. Ian is very passionate and prepared us well for the trip. Standing in the dark, listening for the kiwis, was a very special feeling, and we ended up hearing and seeing two — which was even better than I had imagined. But even if we had been less successful, I think it would have been a unique and worthwhile trip. Thank you Ian and stay quietschfidel! Marlene

If you love nature, hiking, adventure, and wildlife, this tour is a must. We’re beginner birdwatchers from South Korea and joined hoping to see a kiwi, but knowing it’s a wild bird, we were just as happy to learn about night birdwatching from Ian. Luckily, we did get to see one! Watching how Ian guided the team with such care, patience, and respect for wildlife was truly inspiring. We’ll definitely come back for another birdwatching trip in the future. (If you prefer zoos or animal shows, this might not be for you — but if you truly love nature, it’s unforgettable.)

This is a place where you can walk while looking at the great view from high trees. It is a place where you can walk along the course made at the top of the tree (about 25 meters high). If you go up a little past the ticket booth, you will see the tree top walking starting point, and it takes about 20 minutes to look around the entire course. The course is not long, but you can see the great view from high up and see various birds in nature. (It is not easy to find or see.) There is an observation deck at the midpoint of the course, and if you go up to this observation deck, you can see the sea across the forest. Overall, the great view and the unique experience of walking on a tree top are great, but since these courses are 25 meters high, the installed bridge shakes a little every time you walk, so if you have a fear of heights, I recommend you think again, and you do not necessarily need a reservation for this experience. There is no problem even if you just go without a reservation.

We got a deal online, so ticket price was halved, so we did zipline & walkway combo. All the staff were SUPER helpful and friendly. Zipline was fun and felt very safe with all the checks .

We had a great time here. Very quiet as out of weekend/holiday so cannot comment on how it would be the other side of that coin! Clearly signposted from the highway, Friendly and helpful staff. The walk was great, lots of education along the way if you can handle the heights for long enough! Climbing the tower was great too with exceptional views, we even timed it to watch some people do the Zipline (which looks awesome by the way, next time!!). Would very much come back and my girlfriend who has vertigo, enjoyed it too.... The walkway was as solid as you could hope and she appreciated conquering her fears enough to experience being within the tree canopy. Well worth the trip and money

It'd be better on a clear day but a foggy forest isn't too bad. Quite pricey for a walk but the staff were friendly and overall felt very safe.

Amazing views from the platforms. I climbed into the tower and it was breathtaking. Son did the Zipline and said it was fantastic.

Absolutely fantastic Views and great experience Bit expensive for a walk but definitely enjoyed the experience

Absolutely brilliant experience. My 75 year old mother and I took part in our first zip line experience. Matthew was lovely, and brilliant at explaining the process, and gave us very clear instructuons..... the whole experience was an absolute joy, and my mother loved it. Tea and cake at the cafe topped off a wonderful morning. A huge thanks to all staff!

Absolutely awesome beach! Clean sand, clear water, and a super relaxing vibe. The sunset was stunning and the whole atmosphere felt peaceful and refreshing. A perfect spot to unwind — loved every moment ☺️

Hokitika’s beach is rugged and beautiful, lined with rocks, crashing waves, and plenty of driftwood shaped by the sea. The highlight is the famous “HOKITIKA” driftwood sign, a creative landmark and a must-stop photo spot. Walking along the sand, you’ll find driftwood scattered everywhere and may even try spotting pounamu (greenstone), treasured by the Māori as a protective stone. It feels like a small treasure hunt, adding charm to the stroll. We also noticed locals arranging wood and stones into messages like “HAPPY NEW YEAR 2025,” giving the beach a creative, personal touch. The best moment comes at Sunset Point, where people gather to watch the sun sink into the Tasman Sea. The driftwood letters glow golden, the sky turns deep orange, and the atmosphere feels calm yet unforgettable. A must-visit stop on New Zealand’s West Coast.

Sign needs fixing but still nice stop. War pillbox was even better to see.

Such a cute set up of the sign, beautiful to have some food in the car park or sit on the rocks and enjoy the scenery.

Amazing, magical Oceanside village! Visited in the winter.

Cane early but wish I saw sunset. Cool sign.

Enjoyed our visit, we had a beautiful sunny day. Nice little town to walk round and visit the many stores. Loved the beach.

An awesome shop to support the local artists. As an ads Accredited tour guide, I’ve driven pass this city many times but never had the chance to go in. Now I do. Lots of interesting things to sell, price tags are high. I suppose the rent in Hokitika isn’t much as such big shop wouldn’t exist in Auckland. Hope that this shop can survive in this Covid global pandemic.

A nice gallery with many beautiful crafting.

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous! This gallery is quite special and is deserving of a visit. Loved chatting to the owner....interesting and very talented.

A fantastic gallery run by Juergen Schacke and his wife Monika featuring Juergen's stunning photos and local crafts. They have recently taken over the Craft Gallery next door and both offer riches of local art and crafts, an absolute treat!

While on holiday at the moment, I brought my husband's birthday gifts here a few days ago and the selection of quality items for sale were stunning, and beautifully displayed. I was most impressed with the lovely lady serving who did not rush me to make a decision, was very helpful and she gift wrapped my purchases really nicely. I left incredibly happy, thank you for a delightful shopping experience.

Thanks for the no pressure and supportive approach to our purchase Juergen and Monika. What a cool place you have - our best wishes to you for your future.

The shop is always full of colour & art that reflects, the rugged west coasts terrain and the sunsets, colours that are unlike anywhere. Warm welcome smile as you walk in the door from the host. Our days off we come to Hokitika from Moana.

Awesome activities with kids, mine were ages 12, 14 & 16 and all were entertained and enjoyed themselves, the gold panning was the highlight as well as playing around with the prison and reading the orewa hospital medicines. 100% highly recommended. A bit pricy for the whole experience $145 but worth it for all 5 of us.

We came on a busy day as they had a tourism convention going on, so parking was hard to find (this is not normal). We had a great time stepping back in time and walking around the town. There is a cafeteria for lunch or a snack /coffee etc and if you have a letter to post, if you take it with you, you can have it postmarked from Shantytown. There is a train ride you can take and the guide is very knowledgeable about the history. He operated an old sluice to demonstrate how they used to fire water at the rock they wanted to mine for. After that, the optional $10 per person will give you an opportunity to pan for Gold and you are given excellent instructions on how to do this. A great place to take the whole family! If you're going to do panning, allocate 2-3 hours minimum for this visit.

You can’t miss this place when visiting the West Coast! You can ride the steam train, revisit the past at the museum, have some coffee and food, try to get lucky and pan for gold, or hang out at the playground. Locals can get a great deal with an annual ticket ☺️👌🏽 Awesome place to come with kids.

Having lived in greymouth for the first 30 years of my life. I have visited many times. It has changed a lot. Definitely worth visiting at least once. Train rides three times a day. Open 7 days. There is a café also. Gold panning is available for $10 per person. Panning is part of the train ride. Getting gold from panning is garunteed. At the time of typing this review, gold is $7000 for a teaspoon( one ounce) of gold. So, the $10 fee for panning is well worth it.

Absolutely loved it, make sure to come early to give yourself time to walk around, lots o d history, steam train was an exciting experience and I loved the uniqueness of the town. Don’t know what all the negative reviews are for, I came when there was no costume actors around and I think they have done a wonderful job at showing the history. The lady in the front is also very kind and sweet. Highly recommend coming here if you love history

Not what i expected, I have been to some great well maintained heritage villages and this is not one if them. Gives you a very basic insight into the past from a museum built 54 years ago and not maintained. Dirty dusty and dark, could do with a spring clean better lighting and more props.

Fun place for children! Lovely train experience here!

Food was amazing as well as the 6 paddle off beers. Well worth trying. Very cozy atmosphere and the food came out quickly.

Exceeded expectations. Service was quick, yet friendly. Food was fabulous. Fries were exceptionally memorable. Thick, crispy outside and fluffy inside.

Monteith’s Brewery is a fantastic spot to visit, even if you’re not there for the drinks. The food was excellent - fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. There’s a great variety on the menu, and everything we tried was cooked perfectly. The location is lovely, with a warm and relaxed atmosphere that makes it perfect for both families and groups of friends. It’s a great place to unwind, enjoy a good meal, and take in the surroundings. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area - it’s a memorable experience for the food and setting alone!

The best place to eat in Greymouth without doubt. It's colourful and lively and every dish we've tried was excellent. The service is prompt, this visit was a highlight of our West Coast visit.

Great beer tasting, however food is not good enough! Everything is too salty!!

My wife and I did the Monteith's Brewery Tour and stayed on afterwards for a meal. The tour was very good. It was interesting to learn about the history of the brewery, and it was great to get to pour and taste some of the beers. Our guide was really entertaining and knowledgeable too, which made the experience even better. The meal afterwards was first-class. The service was spot-on, and the food was excellent. Thank you Monteith's for such a great experience...on such a wet and windy day in Greymouth :)

We did the brewery tour with Toni and she was awesome! It ended up being only myself and my partner doing it and she gave us advice on different beers to try along with local knowledge of events on over the weekend we were visiting. Totally recommend 👌 she's awesome at her job

Unexpectedly nice, short walk to a lovely, small, non-crowded beach. You have the opportunity to take a small waterfall-shower (; Right next to the Punakaiki Rocks, worth the time!

It’s a lovely little walk to the coast and it has some amazing views, well worth a quick stop off

Easy walk, beautiful views, lots of native birds, highly recommended walk

Fantastic walk....Beach at the end of this Scenic track!! Memories ❤️❤️

Beautiful walk. Easy access and lovely panoramic views.

A short walk to a stunning piece of coastline. Not to be missed while you are in the area.

STOP your car! Get out and walk down this beautiful track to the beach. It is definitely worth it. Overhanging cliff faces, smooth polished stones, crashing waves and a blow hole at high tide.

We loved this experience! We were the only two booked onto our tour so it was like a private tour. The train ride at the start is beautiful. The caves are really amazing with lots of formations to see up close. The glow worm cave is really big and is a magical experience. We really enjoyed tubing down the river too. Thank you to Jet for being a great guide. There was a QR code to access lots of photos taken afterwards and you get some printed too. 100% recommend this experience!

Our caving tour with Underworld Adventures was absolutely unforgettable! This experience is perfect for those who are fit and ready for a unique underground adventure. Our guide, Tess, shared fascinating information about the caves and the surrounding area. Exploring the caves was both thrilling and awe-inspiring, with incredible rock formations and stunning glowworms that lit up the darkness like a starry sky—simply sensational! The tubing at the end of the tour was a fun and exciting way to wrap up the experience. If you’re up for a bit of a challenge and an unforgettable journey through one of nature’s hidden wonders, this is the tour for you! Highly recommend! 🌟🦇🌿💦

Jet was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the system. He definitely made the adventure! Would definitely do it again. Awesome site for the glow worms, history and geology!

Our tour was one of the highlights of our South Island time!! We really enjoyed this caving and rafting tour. Our guide Jess did an amazing job leading us through the cave, pointing out different formations along the way. She gave a ton of great info about the cave history, glowworms, and area history as well! We had a blast and learned a lot. The rainforest train was also lovely. I definitely recommend you grab a pie and coffee in their café after your tour.

Good place. Clean material, potos not bad, but can be better. The experience it's amazing itself. The instructors are really kind, they explain everything and always are close to you, in the cave is amazing the experience and the blue sly looks just like the paradise. The rafting on the river is easy and funny. Highly recommend

My English isn't good enough; I didn't understand anything the guild was saying. But I could still feel their passion. The place is absolutely stunning, and the rafting, although fast, is well worth it! The café staff are friendly, and the view is magnificent. I highly recommend it; it's an activity you absolutely must do.

This place was an unexpected surprise, all the time I've driven this road and I never realized there was a little railway here that runs into the rainforest. Sadly I arrived too late to catch the train but was told that I was more than welcome to walk the track up to the caves, so I made a donation and away i went on my own little reenactment of 'Stand by me'! Some awesome country up here, some of the cliffs and overhangs are quite mindblowing and the swing bridge where I eventually turned back for home is also a spectacular little spot. I'm claustrophobic and can't swim so didn't do the cave tours or rafting but the feedback i heard was also very good. 😃 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This is a modern museum, that children will be fascinated with as well. We only had 1 hour to spend which wasn’t enough. It is a place you must see when visiting Westport. Well done to everyone who has contributed to its design.

What a great museum! Full of great exhibits and loads of information about the rich mining history on the west coast. There is a mine exhibit you can go into and watch a neat video showing the old mine operations. We spend about an hour here but you could spend a bit longer if you read everything. Adults $10, children under 5 are free. If you are visiting Westport make sure you pop in here and brush up on the history.

a lot of reading to find our more about the history of mining on the coast. some really interesting machinery on display, but all in all a bit disappointed by lack of exhibits. the video is fascinating and worth a watch. The counter staff were really amazing and helpful however. knowledgeable, friendly and patient. if there was a way to give them an independent five star review I would totally be doing that.

This is the 2nd Pounamu Pathway I've done. This one pulled together some of the local mines I had visited, so I found the display and information informative and definitely worth the visit. A good insight into the history of the region. Would have been nice to pull more Maori history.

Very informative and well presented museum! Well worth the visit. Go to Denniston after the museum. Interesting and amazing views!

We braved the bridge, not for the faint hearted or scared of heights, remembering you've got to get back the same way! There are walking tracks with historical info to do whilst you prepare for your return trip.

Very cool walk in the forest. Great part of history

Wow - what an amazing experience we had today on the Grey Wilderness raft tour. It went beyond all our (rather high) expectation. The nature we paddled through was inexplicably beautiful, and the river delivered just the right amount of action for our group (of 3 generations). Nathan is an excellent guide: knowledgeable, fun to be around and a very skilled rafter. Easily in the absolute top of experiences on our 1 month trip around NZ!

Our group of 7 had a superb trip on the Upper Grey river with Josh , Kacey and Mila . Nathan had been great organizing our trip according to water levels . We were superbly catered for by our professional guides who looked after all our needs both on and off the water . Food was amazing . Highly recommend if you want to experience some true kiwi adventure and unspoilt scenery .

My family and I did the Arnold Family Raft 1/2 Day Tour with Nathan and it exceeded all expectations. It was my children's (11, 10 and 6 years) first exposure to white water rafting and it was perfect. Nathan was so clear on what to expect and made it fun for the whole family. He regularly checked in with the kids to make sure they felt comfortable and we all had a blast. Nathan took us rafting, let us go for a dip in the water and even fed us and gave us a warm drink at the end of the day. Would highly recommend Inland Adventures.

Just returned from an awesome 4 days rafting the Waiau River with Nathan (AKA Reefton), Simon (AKA Chunk) and Samson, Quinn and Bree as our guides. What a team they made! So much experience being shared with younger, newer guides = great to watch. It was a super adventure down a truly stunning part of S Island. The journey was full of amazing views, gorges, rapids, mountains and a few surprises. The food was really delicious (& plentiful). We felt safe, valued and entertained throughout the full 4 days and would highly recommend this expedition for any adventurous travellers. Thanks Nathan et al.

My experience with the employees: Joey: a true kiwi bushman, as quick and deft with a blade when cooking dinner at camp as is his sharp witted humor. Not only is he engaging in intellectual conversation, he is also great with kids making him an all rounder for family trips. 10/10 raft guide and outdoor instructor.

We had an amazing 2 day experience with the Inland Adventures team in early 2023. We had a wide range of fitness, experience and ages involved and the team were incredibly supportive and made sure everyone enjoyed the rafting and the environment. We all felt safe and the food was incredibly good! It was such a good experience and I can't wait to go again.

Nathan and his amazing team led us on an unforgettable pre-Christmas expedition down the Waiau-Uwha. A must-do trip for anyone who loves rivers, rocks, and the stunning beauty of the remote high country. Professional guides and all-around top people.

Best 5 day tramp yet, great variety of terrain, beautiful native forest flora & fauna. Birdsong +++, very friendly This Robins, Tomtits & saw or heard most every native bird there is. Fungi fiesta! Huts comfortable, lovely & warm with fire going. Wild & mighty rivers!

For day trippers- highly recommend doing the loop of Lyell walkway - Old Ghost Road. Easy access from the upper carpark, past the old cemetery, across the river bridge and then reverse back along the old ghost road trail to the lower carpark. This old mining track is well maintained and used by hikers and cyclists.

Incredible area with stunning views, wildlife and history!! Lovely huts, and well maintained track.

Fantastic 5-day walk on Old Ghost Road. The terrain is not very difficult and well maintained as it's suitable for cycling. There are some long days with high kms though, so some ability to walk 18-25 km per day is required. I'm not sure I would cycle this trail in its entirety as there are some narrow, steep and rocky sections with scary drop offs and even a stairs sections where you need to carry your bike. For confident mountain bikers only, probably. Scenery was amazing. The huts were luxurious and equipped. I recommend this hike or cycle trail!

This trail takes you through the finest landscapes in New Zealand, It is such an incredible experience! The 28km from Lyell through lush bush opens up at the top with mind-blowing views across vast, unspoilt landscapes. The huts are immaculate, warm, well-stocked & maintained. The amount of work has been huge and continues with improvements like the recent bypassing of the stairs, such a blessing for mountain bikers. This is a genuinely world-class trail, make sure you don't rush through it!!

Amazing hike through magical beech forrest, stunning ridge lines and mountainsides. The hut facilities were above expectations and toilets well maintained and clean (love composting ones!). Well graded trails for walking just be mindful of mountain bikers approaching. Two semi fit 70+ year olds we took enjoyed it! Lots of water along track depending on recent rains. $160 pp for up to 4 nights, bunk rooms vary by hut but everyone very welcoming and shared cooking facilities. Even a trickle shower available. Outdoor sleep outs good option for family or couples but not heated/no cooking - can use main hut facilities!

Superb walk, easy grades, spectacular exposure and great views. Excellent huts with lots of interesting points all through the hike. Great achievement to put this track through pristine country. It's a long walk but as it's built for bikes it's easy going.

Just used their Shuttle service from Lyell to Seddonville while doing the Old Ghost Road. Fantastic service, they were waiting for us at the Lyell Carpark, took our photo as we left then drove our vehicle to Seddonville. Great value, highly recommended.

Great transfer of two cars for us from Lyell to Seddonville while we walked The Old Ghost Road. Handled our EV fine. Brought our cars up to The Rough & Tumble Lodge for us on our final day so they were there for us when we came off the track. Great to get immediate access to dry clothes!

Great service and very convenient for Old Ghost Rd transfers. Chris and Steph were very friendly and even phoned the local pub to let us know that the next track we were heading to was closing due to a landslip. They even told us their secret home made bug repellent recipe! p.s. Encourage Chris to one day complete the Ghost Rd!

Have to give 5/5 review for Steph and Chris. Very responsive communication, prompt arrival, just lovely people doing their bit to help others. Thank you so much.

Steph and Chris provided us a wonderful service by meeting us at Old Coast Road Trail end in Seddonville and transporting us to the start of the track at Lyell. My queries were responded to quickly, communication was excellent, they were so obliging, friendly and knowledgeable. Even gave us an old gold sluice pan as a momentous. Many thanks you guys we appreciated your service. Malcolm Rough and Wendy Shanks, Gisborne

Excellent service from Hikenbike Shuttles. We left our car at the end of the Old Ghost Road and they took us to the beginning. We arrived a bit early but they saw us drive past so came early. The service was very friendly (we had the owner himself. Asked if we needed to stop anywhere on the way and recommended the Berlin Cafe in the Buller gorge as a good place for breakfast. Very nice. he also supplier sandfly repellent, something we had overlooked. Would highly recommend them. Next time we would use their car relocation service and save 4 hours of driving for only a little more cost.

Great communication, punctual, and accommodating shuttle provider (Picked me up from OGR trail end to Lyell). Appreciate that they made sure my car at Lyell started before leaving.

We had an enjoyable time at this venue so I'm curious why there are some negative reviews. The team really need to cut back the vegetation on the loop walk so visitors could enjoy the view properly. The bridge is exhilarating, although I wish people were less comfortable crossing at the same time! The toilets could do with a deep clean but were acceptable in the meantime. Staff were friendly. Definitely worth the minimal entrance fee.

Went here a while back and didn’t expect you had to pay. The next time I came back and bit the bullet and was pleasantly surprised. Such beautiful views and heaps to do once you get over the other side. You might have to be patient as the swing bridge isn’t that wide, and also be careful of where you put your hand as I got a small cut on mine. It is so very worth it though. Lovely loop tracks and multiple natural attractions to look at.

Overall value for money 2.5/5 No family pass No combos so yiu do mkre activities and save. Bridge 3.9/5 $12.50 - Went in the morning. Manager/owner was very welcoming and friendly. Paid our entry and went on in. My first thought of the bridge was disappointing after being on the ones further down the country, yes this one is longer but I feel it could be better. When searching and looking at things to do I didnt take a close look at what the bridge was made of or looked like in detail. Comet line 4/5 fun - 1/5 not Including access to bridge and walks. $40 + $25 for photos and videos. Tandem Comet line and it was fun. Interesting to be one behind the other and not next to each there. Definitely could be longer and definitely could be faster. $25 extra for a flash drive with the photos and videos seemed expensive though especially if you paid for the other thing. Gold panning 3.5/5 Sand flies 1/5 Unfortunately we did not get told about the sand flies when we arrived. We were covered head to toe in them when we went to the area to do this activity. Went and brought some bug spray from the front desk ($25) and this only kept them away for a few minutes. The activity itself was really fun but as I only got to do it for a very small amount of time it has become the worst thing I have done in years. As we left we mentioned about how bad the experience was and that the bug spray did an aweful job and we really didnt do much panning because of the sand flies and his comment was "yeah they are quite bad this time of year" and didnt really care at all. We were just another person who had already paid. If you do go, there is some enjoyment in some of the activities but 100% do not go anywhere near the gold panning, and take good bug repellent.

Unexpected cost of 25 nzd to walk across. But the other side has over an hour of beautiful hiking to a beach and waterfall along with epic jungle views. It's worth the cost, especially because few people leave the main trail.

Awesome place woth amazing view. Very friendly staff who even waited for us to arrive as we were running a little late. Highly recommended

What an adventurous place to visit!! The experience of the bridge walk is tremendous. A bit scary but feels fun once you done it. The walk around the island is amazing as you pass many amazing spots as the river beach and the big tree. You can watch a lot of birds around there. The bridge walk and the island walk is not expensive. You can do extra activities like zip liner with an extra payment. There is a small cafe and toilets inside and a plenty of parking available there.

It was fun to go across the bridge, but there were a lot of little bugs on the other side that were biting our legs so beware. Not much to do on the other side other than a walk with some old historic mining equipment. you could also pay extra to go on the speedboat or the zip line.

Such a great experience! Mike was a very entertaining host. We got a mix of history and geology thrown in with the fun and speed. It felt very safe throughout. I would highly recommend - just make sure you use sunscreen!

The view is amazing, Mark is very funny and friendly, the drive is awesome, so much better than the one we had in Queenstown! Highly recommended!!! And Bowie is so cute!!

This was shut the front door fun, Mark is the best operator in New Zealand, smaller boat than in Queenstown but more crazy, more professional and much much much more adventurous. You get your bang for the buck and then some. I can't stress this enough, this is the BEST one and I highly recommend everyone to go here and enjoy it. We did others as well but this one... OMG, the speed, the thrill! Thank you Mark for really putting the F in fun for us 🤣 A 360° greeting from the Public Speaker from Sweden with special request 🤣

Have rode Shotover in Queenstown but this was miles better. Excellent 'Driver' and amusingly commentary. Suspension Bridge just added to the overall experience. Looking forward to returning sometime soon.

Had an amazing trip on the Buller with Mark. He was such a good host and guide. Never done jet boating before and not sure we’ll ever top this one as it’s a stunningly beautiful place. Thank you for an amazing afternoon Mark.

My Husband and I had a spectacular time with on the jet boat. Mark, our driver went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time. We wanted to take photos and videos, so Mark was very clear at communicating when was an appropriate time to video/ take a photo and when it was best to put the camera away to ensure we held on for some 360 spins. Highly recommend Buller Canyon Jet Boating. While there you can also experience the Bulla Canyon Swing Bridge. Thanks Bulla Jet Boat company and Mark for a wonderful day it is truly a holiday highlight.

We stopped here on the drive to Westport, and were so glad we did. There was a swing bridge going across the buller river,different walks to go on ,long or short, interesting things to look at for all ages. A zip wire ride, and best of all there was Marc with his Jet boat, what an incredible experience up and down the river, through the Rapids. Marc was an amazing character and really made the trip. Not the cheapest thing to do but well worth the money.

Another great stop on the New Zealand journey. The lake is amazing with a wonderful hot spring at one end. Take the classic wooden boat and tour the lake.

Great big lake, nice and clean and great views from up Mt Robert. Lots of snow in winter time and lots of massive eels around the warf just Infront of the carpark. Big carpark and usually on a snowy or sunny day it's full of people.

Beautiful view and clear waters. There are many people by the lake but you don’t feel the crowd because of the vast space. I visited in Jan and there were no sandflies which is pretty awesome. Many tracks around the lake to explore, and Kayaking would be great here as the waters are not choppy.

Beautiful view and a peaceful location with a nice mountain range where the snow can get even lower than pictured. A nice local township with forest walking tracks.

We camped at the DOC campground next to the Lake Rotoiti Wharf recently. Incredible views, so serene with a number of walks nearby for better views of the lake. There are several campground locations here, with really good amenities at all, this one had flushing toilets, a shower block (cold showers), playground, rubbish disposal area and kitchen block. We considered it glamping with how great the amenities were. Highly recommend staying here, its popular so book in advance if you can, about an hour or so from Nelson.

This is one of the most beautiful places that I have ever visited around New Zealand. The scenery is simply stunning and must be seen by all in the upper South Island. The little township has a fuel station and convenience store along with great accommodation options tucked in the bush or on the main road.

An amazingly beautiful lake with many scenic hiking trails! We enjoyed visiting this lake and enjoying its natural beauty and beaches. It is an amazing place to get photos, as the lake is highly reflective with surrounding mountains. The dock at the lake is also famous for its many eels , that crowd around its piers and are easy to photograph through the clear water. We stayed a week in this area exploring the lake and the trails around it, and we wish that we had stayed longer!

The track is just lovely. The beech forest is worth the hike. Unfortunately the understory is severely degraded. Probably due to the goats in the area. Excellent Mountain birds. Yellow-crowned Parakeets, Eurasian Blackbirds, Tomtits, South Island Robins and Pipits. It feels remote, but is only a hours drive from Motueka. You can't actually see into Hardwood's Hole at the end.

Lovely 2-3 Hour return trip. We went to Harwoods hole and Gorge creek viewpoint (follow the orange markers on the trees so you don't take the wrong track like lots of people have done(created a new track that leads no where)). There's a bit of rock scrambling towards the end of both tracks. It can be a bit slippery too. Closed in footwear and water is recommended. Very peaceful. If you are quiet birds may fly up and land near you 😍

Be mindful of two things before you consider this. Firstly, the road in is 11km of gravel (good condition at time of writing) and takes about 20-25mins driving each way. It's narrow and passing can be hair raising. Secondly, the track itself takes about 30mins each way for moderately fit adults. As it's an old stream there are some large rocks and such to scramble over at times so agility is necessary. As for the destination itself, Harwood Hole. It's huge!! Not what I was expecting at all, and getting too close isn't for the faint hearted. I'm scared of heights (and falls) so I stayed well away from the edge. The walk is pretty, not too hard other than the rocks, but it's a long drive when there are probably more accessible walks.

Easy to follow track. Track times are quite accurate and allow for short sightseeing stops along the way. Tidy longdrop toilet and picnic tables available to sit at.

Lovely hole 2 hour return hike through NZ native bush and limestone

A nice long walk through the rugged bush to the cave. Be sure to take the track off the side which crawls up the hillside opening onto expansive views off the cliff face.

Really sneaks up on you. Insane there’s no chains or warnings or anything, be super careful if it’s wet on the rocks at the end

A huge huge Thank You to Adele for being one of the nicest persons I've met in Visitor centers around the country! Tons of travel advices and recommendations were provided by her! She does her job above and beyond and it feels like you've met your friend who you haven't seen for years! Must stop by if travelling around!!!

I Forgot what the tablelands was called, the elevated shelf to the west of the arthur range was called, so I called the I-site. The worker was very very helpful! Thankyou!

Good to see my tourist tax is being used to hire staff. Closed due to no staff. No warning. Poor.

W💜W Adele - what fantastic customer service, local knowledge and helpful advice based on your lived experience in this beautiful town. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain, advise and share with us. We have had a wonderful stay in Motueka and Marahau based on your recommendations and local knowledge… what an asset you are to the tourism industry for your region. Thank you. Your outstanding customer service reignited my faith in our kiwi tourism experience. I appreciate your passion for your job thank you for sharing so sincerely. Jo and Heidi from Norway

So helpful, so friendly - thank you team

Today I found a staff member's service very disappointing. I am a local and came in to purchase a gift for overseas visitors. Yes it was busy so I put my items aside and returned 20 minutes later as the site seems unstaffed. When I returned the staff member with accent was rude when I asked to buy the items ahead of a tourist booking trips.( Lengthy exercise) Verbally said I was queue jumping and I needed to be grateful. I expressed her opinion was incorrect and out of context as I had been waiting a while to buy items. Therefore she would not complete the purchase due to rudeness. Last year I entered this site and it was expressed to me by another staff member completing my purchase how rude this person could be and yes one year on I DO AGREE. Please upskill your staff to triage your customers.

Amazing customer service! Sue was fantastically helpful and full of local knowledge... including free camping locations and the best place to grab a local ale. Trips booked include Kayak wine tours. We left iSite refreshed and feeling like we knew what we were doing. Before journeying up the Tasman coast make sure you pay this place a visit.