ACTIVITIES
We recommend guests stay a minimum of two nights at Rimu Lodge to enjoy the activities available.
Located by the sea, at the mouth of Hokitika River, Hokitika is the largest town in Westland District.
It offers a range of retail, banking and other services, including Pounamu (jade), gold and other minerals.
HOKITIKA WALKS
For magnificent rain forest walks and bird watching, there are many walking options around Hokitika:
HOKITIKA GORGE WALK
25 minutes drive from Rimu Lodge you will visit Hokitika gorge, the water is a beautiful turquoise blue colour due to the alluvial silt from the glaciers and Southern alps, surrounded by lush native bush and an easy 15 minute walk to the first swing bridge, and a round trip walk of 45 minutes over a new impressively engineered swing bridge which was completed in 2021.
RIMU HERITAGE WALK
The small village of Rimu was named after the tall native rimu forest that once stood as far as the eye could see. Seddons Terrace Road was named after the Hon. Richard John Seddon, a goldminer who later became the Premier of New Zealand (Prime Minister).
In 1882 gold was discovered in Rimu. Shortly after this there were 500 miners on the field, and not long after there were six hotels, two banks, two bakeries, a butcher, two churches and a convent school in the town. In about 1890 gold was discovered in Seddons Terrace Road and over the next 50 years gold became an important part of life here.
400 metres from Rimu lodge is a lookout and a one hour return walk down through a genuine gold rush area, to gold mine tunnels. There are information panels about the history of the area.
LAKE KANIERE WALKS
Lake Kaniere offers many lovely walks, Dorothy waterfalls, Canoe cove and Kahikatea walks are all easy short walks.
LAKE MAHINAPUA WALKS
Bird watchers will love Lake Mahinapua walks.
Walks include:
Bellbird walk,
Jum Michel walk,
Mananui tramline walk.
TREETOPS WALK
The remarkable gantry is 20m high and winds through the native rainforest, located only 8km from Rimu lodge, it provides a great insight to our flora and fauna. An exhilarating climb of the tower offers a marvelous view overlooking Lake Mahinapua. https://treetopsnz.com/
FRESH WATER FISHING
Hokitika is a fisherman’s paradise. We have two lakes to choose from, Lake Kaniere where you can cast your rod out for salmon, perch, rainbow and brown trout.
At Lake Mahinapua fishing is best done from a boat, with plentiful perch and brown trout.
If river fishing is your preference, both Hokitika river and Mahinapua creek offer spin and fly fishing for trout all year round and from January to April you may catch salmon.
CYCLING
The wilderness trail cycling in New Zealand, is cycling at its best. E-bikes make cycling these trails so much more accessible.
It covers some of the most spectacular scenery, from lakes, to rivers, rain forests and wetlands.
Rimu lodge has packages available to take the stress of organising the bikes, tour and shuttles yourself.
Find out more https://www.rimulodge.co.nz/e-bike-cycle-package
POUNAMU (JADE) CARVING
Take home your piece of personally designed pounamu - jade. A true Hokitika experience you’ll treasure forever, there are half day carving experiences with an expert carver to guide you.
Rimu lodge has packages available https://www.rimulodge.co.nz/hokitika-pounamu-carving-package
GOLF
Hokitika has one of the few Links courses, Mahinapua links course. It has majestic views of Mount Cook, Mount Tasman and the magnificent Southern alps.
PUNAKAIKI (PANCAKE ROCKS)
The pancake rocks are only 1 hour 25 minutes from Rimu lodge. A fascinating rock formation which resembles stacked pancakes.
Punakaiki has a huge blow hole which puts on quite the display at high tide.
PUNAKAIKI KAYAKING
The pancake rocks area is also the home of Waka Puna Kayaking.
Enjoy several hours kayaking up the Pororari river past magnificent ancient limestone cliffs, subtropical rainforest and nikau palm fringed river.
FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
You can walk to the glacier, or take a helicopter tour to the top of the glacier, only 1 hour and 45 minutes drive from Rimu lodge.
WHITE HERON SANCTUARY TOURS
The nesting site of the magnificent Kotuku (white heron) is found only 1 hours drive from Rimu lodge. You can be taken on a guided tour via vehicle and boat to the rookery. November through March.