West Coast Treetop Walk

High above the forest floor, the West Coast Treetop Walk offers a unique perspective on New Zealand's ancient temperate rainforest. Located near Hokitika, this 20-metre-high walkway meanders through a canopy of rimu, kamahi and ferns, with a 47-metre-high observation tower giving sweeping views over the treetops to the Southern Alps and Tasman Sea. It's an accessible, family-friendly experience that brings you eye-to-eye with native birds and epiphytes.

Highlights & What to See

• Canopy walkway: A gentle, wheelchair-accessible path suspended among treetops, with interpretive panels explaining the forest ecology.
• Observation tower: Climb the spiral ramp for panoramic views of the West Coast landscape, from mountains to sea.
• Birdlife: Spot tui, bellbirds, fantails and the occasional kaka from the walkway.
• Night walks: Book a guided glowworm tour after dark to see the forest lit by thousands of tiny lights.
• Nearby Hokitika: Combine your visit with this historic town known for its pounamu (greenstone) workshops and wild beaches.

Suggested Time to Spend

Allow about 1–1.5 hours to complete the walkway and tower at a leisurely pace, including time for photos. If you book the night glowworm experience, plan for an additional hour after dusk. The treetop walk is a perfect half-day outing from Hokitika or as a stop on a West Coast road trip.

Nearby Areas Worth Combining

• Hokitika – 10 minutes south, with its historic buildings, galleries and beach.
• Shantytown Heritage Park – A living-history gold-mining settlement 15 minutes north.
• Lake Kaniere – A stunning glacial lake with walking tracks and picnic spots, a 20-minute drive east.
• Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers – Iconic glaciers about 1.5 hours south along State Highway 6.
• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks – Spectacular limestone formations and blowholes, about an hour north.

Please check official sources for current details.