Hokitika Things to Do

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Until visiting Hokitika, I knew about the Farmer in the Dell, but I didn't know that was also the hideout of the glow worms. As we came in to Hokitika, we passed a sign to their dell. So, after darkness had come in Hokitika and we had had our dinner, we were sitting wondering what to do with ourselves, until we remembered the little glow worms! So, we jumped in to the car and off we went to the dell. (We did remember to bring the torch that we found in our accommodation, and that was a must!)

We found the sign and just off the road was a small parking that we pulled in to. I was very excited, so I took charge of the torch and led our group of 4 up the spooky short trail. Just around the bend, we saw a small glow... and then another... so we got our footing, turned off the torch and gazed upon all the tiny little lights aglow in the dell. It was lovely...

Ok, I'm being a bit silly, but seriously, if you're in Hokitika for the evening and wondering what to do, you must go to the glow worm dell. It will entertain you for a little bit. Don't forget to take your torch or you will be stumbling along holding on to the railing.

Enjoy... you may find yourself singing... 'The glow worm in the dell... the glow worm in the dell... hi ho the derry-o... the glow worm in the dell...'

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The Sheep Station offers full range of possum and merino knitwear including gloves, hats, socks, scarves and jerseys, sheepskin footwear.

You may bring back some sheepskins and souvenirs for your friends.

The work room is open to all visitors and u get to keep a key-ring as souvenier.

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Greenstone is a very hard stone and must be worked with care and patience. Often diamond tools are needed to carve it and it can be turned into beautiful jewellery.

A visit to the Jade Factory is an eye opening experience. You could see the designers at work carving those jades into beautiful piece of art and jewellery. Bring a piece home as souvenir for the ladies ;p

We visited the Jade Factory just below our Mountain Jade Backpackers at the town centre. Produce your room key and get a 10% discount on all items purchased at the shop.

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The Carnegie Centre was Hokitika's library in the past. This building was opened on 24 June 1908. This building was named after Andrew Carnegie for his generousity towards a Free Public Library building. It is reported as "the finest building architecturally on the West Coast".

The building is now home to a museum, art gallery and information centre. This should be the 1st stop for all its visitors to grab a map of the town. It is situated at the corner of Tancred and Hamilton St. Its neighbour is the Fire Briagde and you may pop by Cafe Paris for a meal.

Hokitika has a vibrant artistic community and tit is internationally renowned as a centre of creative arts.

Glass blowing is another form of art which may interest you. The Glass Blowing Studio sells unique pieces of hand-blown & free form designs, glassware, animals, beads.

I didn't get a chance to do this as we ran out of time. It does take a full day but would be pretty cool if you were into that sort of thing. You design your own pendant and then create it yourself with one of hokitika's well known carvers...so well known that i forgot his name.

Glow Worm Dell.
At night as darkness approaches you can see the wee tiny worms glowing and the darker it becomes the brighter the worms appear..., simply amazing as these worms are not inside caves but on the forest northside banks

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The most prominent landmark in Hokitika is the Clock Tower. It is situated at the junction of Weld and Sewell Streets.

It is a memorial to the soldiers who fell in the Boer War (1899-1902) and also commemorates the coronation of Edward VII.

In March each year the Wild Food festival is held. It's a massive mix of food and wine with an inclination toward the wierd. The population swells to over 20,000 for that weekend with travellers from all over the globe. The next festival is 11 March 2006.

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The impressive architecture of the Town Council Building is located at Sewell St. Its neighbours are the Westland District War Memorial and The Sheep Station.

A statue of Seddon can be found at the entrance. Richard John Seddon represented in Westland in the parliment from 1879 to 1906. He was the Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1893 to 1906.