Westcoast Treetop Walk & Cafe

The Basics

The West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island is known for its rugged and wild natural beauty, and a canopy walk is a great way to experience it. The walkways—which take about 45 minutes to walk—allow you to admire the natural beauty of the area from a bird’s-eye perspective. Travelers can also climb the lookout tower for views across to the Southern Alps on one side and the Tasman Sea on the other. After the adventure, you can enjoy a hot drink and snack at the Mahinapua Café, situated beside Johnnie’s Creek. There’s a lot of birdlife in the area, including ducks, swans, fern birds, and tuis.

Many travelers visit the West Coast Treetop Walk & Café independently while touring the South Island by private vehicle. Combination tour packages of the Hokitika area include other attractions such as the Hokitika Gorge and a carving studio.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Save 10% off the ticket price by booking online.

• Annual passes are available for the same price as a day pass, so they’re an especially good deal for travelers who are likely to return to the Hokitika area.

• The canopy walkway is wheelchair-accessible as well as kid-friendly, as it’s totally enclosed to ensure visitors’ safety.

How to Get There

The West Coast Treetop Walk & Café is a short drive south of Hokitika. If driving, follow State Highway 6 south, and then turn up Woodstock-Rimu Road.

When to Get There

The West Coast Treetop Walk & Café is open every day throughout the year, with slightly reduced hours in the winter. In the event of extreme weather, it may be closed for some time. Since rain is common on the West Coast, the attraction doesn’t close for regular levels of rainfall.

Visit the National Kiwi Centre

In the center of Hokitika, the National Kiwi Centre allows visitors to see kiwi birds in a darkened enclosure that mimics their natural environment. The center is also home to eels (which visitors can feed) and tuataras, a uniquely New Zealand reptile. As it’s almost impossible to spot kiwis in the wild, due to their low numbers and the fact that they’re nocturnal, this is a great way to see them.