Adventure Magazine December 2019/January 2020

Gazing in awe at the surreal turquoise waters of the Hokitika Gorge
The Heaphy Track
To be named one of New Zealand’s
9 Great Walks immediately sets the tone
for what is an incredible journey through
nature. I can’t think of a walk I have done
that covers more different ecosystems
than the Heaphy Track. Being the Longest
of the Great walks done on foot at 78km,
the journey takes you from the rugged
coastline and Nikau Rainforest of the West
Coast, right through the baron plains of
the Gouland downs, passing through the
mountain-scapes of Perry Saddle before
finishing on the shores of the roaring Brown
River.
If you don’t fancy the 3-5 day hike,
plenty of short walks can be done from both
sides but more so from the West Coast. One
of my favourite West Coast beaches, ‘Scotts
Beach’ sits 5km from the track start.
Hokitika Gorge
The waters of Hokitika Gorge are often
described as ‘an impossible emerald blue’,
followed by “I’ve never seen water that
colour… ever!” You’d be quite right. The
Turquoise blue that runs through this gorge
contains fine, ground “rock flour” that is so
fine, it suspends in the water as it flows;
producing an impossible turquoise blue
hue. With just a short walk from the Car
park until you reach the swing-bridge, you’ll
be immediately welcomed by the incredible
greens of the rainforest. Cast your eyes
down to the emerald blue waters below,
you’ll be wanting to make it to the rocks for
a swim right away. Be warned though, the
waters are damn cold!
The Haast Pass
One of the areas I haven’t quelled my
curious nature by exploring enough of. The
drive through the Haast pass I can only
describe as being the most ‘wild’ of the
three cross-country Passes (including Lewis
Pass & Arthurs Pass.) Steep cliff faces
encompassing you, many waterfalls lie on
this stretch which are most definitely worth
exploring including the fascinating Fantail
Falls and Roaring Billy Falls ; my favourite
being ‘Thunder Creek Falls.’ Another
feature of ‘emerald blue waters’ lies in the
form of ‘Blue Pools’ an incredible natural
phenomenon sitting amongst the dense
New Zealand bush. The terrain of this region
is steep and allows any explorer to get up
into the alpine very quickly with several
back-country/alpine DOC serviced huts
spread-out amongst the mountain tops.
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