Escape into nature
Breathe in the fresh air of the outdoors lifestyle, and explore the profoundly beautiful Mahinapua waterways, where the glassy waters reflect the mountain peaks and aromas of native bush and rainforest fill the air.
Located just south of Hokitika town, West Coast Scenic Waterways brings together everything you need for an adventurous break in a relaxing and tranquil setting.
Accommodation, scenic sightseeing, and activities are all effortlessly combined. Whether you are staying a night whilst biking the West Coast Wilderness Trail or looking for a nature retreat for a few days of great outdoors activity, the West Coast Scenic Waterways has everything you could wish for.
Accommodation
West Coast Scenic Waterways provides a range of accommodation geared towards the active outdoors mindset, and in particular those biking the West Coast Wilderness Trail that winds past this little environmentally friendly retreat.
Choose from the outstanding Kotuku Cottage, Cyclists Escape Cottage, Wetlands Retreat Unit, Sunset Unit or Sunrise Unit.
Eco Adventure Boat Cruise
Set sail into the sunset aboard the Eco Adventurer on an eco-adventure boat cruise through the meandering waterways onto Lake Mahinapua.
Lined with native wetland and ancient rainforest ringing with birdsong, gliding along the waterways of Hokitika at sunset is a heavenly experience. And as you enter Lake Mahinapua, surrounded by forest, with the mountains piercing the horizon, the peace and tranquillity of this magical environment is both captivating and heart melting.
West Coast Wilderness Trail
Meandering through the West Coast Scenic Waterways retreat is the West Coast Wilderness Trail—one of 23 great rides on the New Zealand Cycle Trails.
You can either stay overnight en-route between Greymouth and Ross, or hire a bike from West Coast Scenic Waterways to explore the magnificent Mahinapua section of the trail from Scenic Waterways to West Coast Tree Tops Walk.
Freedom Kayak Adventure
Experience an intimate adventure through the Mahinapua waterways by kayak.
West Coast Scenic Waterways offer single and double kayak hire for 4 or 8 hours. You can also book a guide to navigate you through the waterways and help you learn about the wetland environment and surrounding rainforest.
End the day with a relaxing hot tub
There is no better antidote to a strenuous day of activities, kayaking, and biking, than a glorious wood-fired hot tub amidst the great outdoors.
Wood-fired to a soothing 43°C, there's quite simply no better way to the end of the day than soaking beneath the starlit heavens. Book yourself a session in the tub for a perfect evening's relaxation.
How to find West Coast Scenic Waterways
389 Ruatapu Road, Ruatapu 7883, New Zealand
Discover the West Coast
From idyllic lakes to geological wonders, discover why New Zealand's West Coast is such a spectacular place to visit:
Getting to Hokitika
You can get to Hokitika by train to explore the West Coast Scenic Waterways aboard some of the following escapes by rail and unique rail tours: