Hokitika Gorge

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This was a very worthwhile detour off the main road from Greymouth (Blog: Greymouth / Buller Gorge / Punakaiki) to Franz Josef (SH6), but probably only if you haven't already seen the incredibly blue waters of lakes Pukaki or Tekapo (we hadn't yet). A detour it is however, about 30 minutes each way.

After being wowed by the Blue Lake of Mt. Gambier in Australia (Blog: Mt. Gambier and the Blue Lake), I didn't expect to be as amazed by incredible blue waters again. This was equally amazing. The milky blue colour of the river flowing down this gorge is incredible. The first sign of what was to come was teasing glimpses through the trees of this unworldy water, until you arrive at the swingbridge which crosses the gorge, giving you closer access to the waters. The colour comes from glacial ice water melt mixed with the milkiness of the silt that has been ground down from the rock faces/bed around and under the moving glacier. Beautiful.

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Photos

Stunning colour of water
The stunning colour is glacier ice melt. The milky colour comes from the rock that the glacier has ground down to particles that hang in the water.

Comments

[Gerry Donnelly]

Not publicisied blue gem
This is truly a worthwhile visit also. Not well publicized but well worth the visit.