The water
Milky turquoise.
Stewart Nimmo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stewart Nimmo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stewart Nimmo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stewart Nimmo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stewart Nimmo — CC BY-SA 4.0
Hokitika Gorge is a narrow gorge on the Hokitika River inside a scenic reserve, about 33 km by road east of the town of Hokitika on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island. It is one of the most visited places in the area for its turquoise water. The river carved the gorge out of granite, and its milky turquoise colour comes from rock flour carried down from the glaciers. Māori crossed the Southern Alps and reached the West Coast by this route. Since August 2020 a second suspension bridge has made a loop track possible. You see milky turquoise water running between smooth grey granite rocks, and thick green forest sloping down to the water's edge. A narrow swing bridge that sways a little crosses the gorge, and from the viewing platforms the river winds between the trees. It is about 27 km from the town of Hokitika in a straight line. The colour looks best on sunny days after a dry spell, and the river turns brown after heavy rain.
Milky turquoise.
It sways.
Down to the water.
East of Hokitika, West Coast, New Zealand
Because of rock flour carried down from the glaciers.
On sunny days after a dry spell.