THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Step up into an ancient rimu and kamahi canopy and take in a rare 47‑metre tower view across Lake Mahinapua to the Southern Alps. This accessible treetop walk blends interpretive ecology with a compact, adrenaline-friendly tower ascent.
Step up into an ancient rimu and kamahi canopy and take in a rare 47‑metre tower view across Lake Mahinapua to the Southern Alps. This accessible treetop walk blends interpretive ecology with a compact, adrenaline-friendly tower ascent.
The steel walkway rises out of the damp forest floor and you are suddenly shoulder-to-shoulder with the canopy: rimu trunks like columns, kamahi leaves whispering, and a cold Tasman wind threading the gaps. At 20 metres up the platform gives a slow, steady view over Lake Mahinapua; at 47 metres the tower pins you against a panoramic slice of Southern Alps, lake surface and distant sea.
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Operated by West Coast Tree Top - Zipline South Island · Hokitika, West Coast
The steel walkway rises out of the damp forest floor and you are suddenly shoulder-to-shoulder with the canopy: rimu trunks like columns, kamahi leaves whispering, and a cold Tasman wind threading the gaps. At 20 metres up the platform gives a slow, steady view over Lake Mahinapua; at 47 metres the tower pins you against a panoramic slice of Southern Alps, lake surface and distant sea.
This is temperate rainforest in motion — geology born of ancient tectonics and glacial carving, soils rich from millennia of decay, trees older than nearby European settlement. Māori names and early sawmilling shaped the coastlands; today the walk is designed to showcase the canopy while keeping visitors off fragile understory. Interpretive panels highlight endemic species and the forest’s role in buffering the coastline and feeding the lake.
Practicalities: the site is 15 minutes south of Hokitika on the road to Franz Josef, with a short 300-m uphill approach (site transport available). The self-guided route usually takes ~45 minutes but you can linger at viewpoints. The structure is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and operates in most weather — dress for wind and rain. Expect slick surfaces after rain, sudden gusts at the top, and strong sun when it breaks.
Tips for a smooth visit: wear grippy, waterproof shoes, layer for coastal weather, bring binoculars for tui and fantail viewing, and charge your camera — the tower reward is literal. Respect the course: stay on the platforms, keep noise down for birds, and factor in short transfer times if combining with glacier or coastal drives.
easy.
30–90 minutes.
Suitable for most visitors; be prepared for a short 300 m uphill approach — moderate fitness helps for the climb and brief tower ascent.
The self-guided experience typically takes around 45 minutes, but visitors often spend up to 90 minutes enjoying viewpoints and reading panels.
Yes — the steel platform system and site access are designed to be accessible; staff can advise on mobility transport from the car park if required.
It operates in most weather; extreme conditions may force temporary closure, in which case refunds or rebooking options are offered.
Children must be accompanied by an adult; there are no strict age limits but supervisors should assess each child’s comfort with heights.
The forest here is part of an ancient West Coast ecosystem; Māori used the lakes and forest resources, and later 19th-century logging shaped settlement patterns along the coast.
The elevated walk limits trampling and root damage while interpretive signage encourages leave-no-trace behavior; avoid feeding wildlife and stick to the platforms to protect understory regeneration.
West Coast Tree Top - Zipline South Island operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
The steel walkway rises out of the damp forest floor and you are suddenly shoulder-to-shoulder with the canopy: rimu trunks like columns, kamahi leaves whispering, and a cold Tasman wind threading the gaps. At 20 metres up the platform gives a slow, steady view over Lake Mahinapua; at 47 metres the tower pins you against a panoramic slice of Southern Alps, lake surface and distant sea.
The steel walkway rises out of the damp forest floor and you are suddenly shoulder-to-shoulder with the canopy: rimu trunks like columns, kamahi leaves whispering, and a cold Tasman wind threading the gaps. At 20 metres up the platform gives a slow, steady view over Lake Mahinapua; at 47 metres the tower pins you against a panoramic slice of Southern Alps, lake surface and distant sea.
This is temperate rainforest in motion — geology born of ancient tectonics and glacial carving, soils rich from millennia of decay, trees older than nearby European settlement. Māori names and early sawmilling shaped the coastlands; today the walk is designed to showcase the canopy while keeping visitors off fragile understory. Interpretive panels highlight endemic species and the forest’s role in buffering the coastline and feeding the lake.
Practicalities: the site is 15 minutes south of Hokitika on the road to Franz Josef, with a short 300-m uphill approach (site transport available). The self-guided route usually takes ~45 minutes but you can linger at viewpoints. The structure is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs, and operates in most weather — dress for wind and rain. Expect slick surfaces after rain, sudden gusts at the top, and strong sun when it breaks.
Tips for a smooth visit: wear grippy, waterproof shoes, layer for coastal weather, bring binoculars for tui and fantail viewing, and charge your camera — the tower reward is literal. Respect the course: stay on the platforms, keep noise down for birds, and factor in short transfer times if combining with glacier or coastal drives.