Stay and Explore Okarito

If you enjoy quiet, off the beaten path places, you’ll want to spend a little more time in Okarito.  Although it is just 12 kilometres off the main State Hwy. 6 of the West Coast, it remains an untouched gem that even most New Zealanders are unaware of.  Surrounded by conservation land, national forest and the sea, it’s resident population is about 30 people.  The beaches are long and empty and the Department of Conservation Forest Walks are superb. And it’s an easy 25 minute drive to Franz Josef and the Glaciers.  Explore Okarito and the Glaciers by day, knowing you’ll have a quiet and restful night’s sleep by the sea.

Accommodation

Accommodation options range in the area from camping facilities to motel and private holiday homes.

Okarito Boat Tours & Kotuku Lodge Beach House

Stay in this spacious, fully self-contained 3 bedroom house by the sea and enjoy all the comforts of home for 2 – 6 people.  Package discounts applicable when booked with a boat tour – please email or call for more information.  To see photos and more information please click here to view it at the New Zealand Holiday Homes Website.

Okarito Community Campground

Travelling by campervan or tenting?  The Okarito Community Campground is a delightful rustic campground by the sea – no powered sites…just open camping nestled in amongst native trees.  There is a shelter with fridge and dining area as well as new (coin-operated) hot showers and flush toilets.  Honesty box check-in at $10 per person.  Visit the Okarito Community Website for more information on this and other accommodation in Okarito.

Okarito Royal Motel and Beach House

Motel/backpacker style accommodation with a good variety of rooms/options.  Run by Rebecca and Shaun (and son Tannin) they have a great website that explains it all.  Visit Okarito Royal Motel for more information and prices.

Okarito Activities

The three most recommended things you can do in Okarito are:

Explore the Okarito Lagoon – see the incredible diversity of a landscape that sweeps from sea to mountains across New Zealand’s largest unmodified wetland area.

Best Viewpoint – the famous Okarito Trig Walk is currently being upgraded by the Department of Conservation – this newly revised walk will meander up to the lookout where, on a clear day, you can view the Southern Alps – Mount Cook and the Franz Josef Glacier, the Okarito Lagoon and the Tasman Sea.

Kiwi spotting – New Zealand’s rarest Kiwi – the Rowi – can be heard and seen on a nocturnal trip into the surrounding Okarito Forest.  Join Ian Cooper on a trip not to be missed while in Okarito!  Visit Okarito Kiwi Tours for more information.

Other Activities

Okarito Nature Tours offer the more adventurous the opportunity to freedom kayak the lagoon – guided trips are also available with advance notice. They also brew up a great coffee! Visit Okarito Nature Tours for more information.

Okarito 3 Mile Lagoon Walk – this is a Department of Conservation walk which takes you along a historic pack track through forest to 3 Mile Lagoon, once home to gold miners in the 1800′s.  The return trip is below bluffs along the beach where you can sometimes see New Zealand fur seals resting – watch the water for Hector’s Dolphins!  This walk is tide dependent and tide times are posted at the entrance.

White Heron Sanctuary Tours are the only designated operator that visit the nesting site of the nearby white heron colony.  They operate out of Whataroa which is just a 20 minute from Okarito.  Nesting activity usually begins in September and remains through to February.