Hokitika is a small West Coast town that was once one of New Zealand's busiest ports during the 1860s gold rush. Today it is a quiet place known for its pounamu (jade) workshops — you can watch carvers at work and buy greenstone jewellery at better prices than in the tourist shops elsewhere.
The driftwood-strewn beach is dramatic, especially on a grey West Coast day, and Hokitika Gorge, a short drive inland, has striking turquoise water. The town also hosts the annual Wildfoods Festival, where adventurous eaters can try huhu grubs, whitebait patties, and other bush delicacies. It is a good stopping point on the drive between Greymouth and the glaciers further south.