Lake Mahinapua

Lake Mahinapua is one of the best spots in the Hokitika for a nice day out, and located 10km south of Hokitika on the West Coast. This scenic reserve was established in 1907 and provides a lush forest margin around the lake. This lake was once a costal lagoon, but as the coastal dune systems built up it has become a shallow inland lake. There are many types of wildlife on the lake, such as grey and mallard ducks, black Swans, and occasionally the rare white herons can be seen. The flora consists of flax and rushes that dominate the lake edge, at the same time providing shelter for the swans and ducks to breed. It is possible to see the shy fern bird in these swampy areas. The nearby bush is an eclectic mix of podocarps and hardwood species such as Miro, matai, totara, rimu and kahikatea closer to the lake, with sub-canopy species such as kamahi, mahoe and quintinia being common. These tree species provide an important seasonal food supply for some of the bird types found here; parakeets, tui, bellbird, pigeon. There is a popular walk here, the Mahinapua Walkway. Access to the Mahinapua Walkway is from a signposted carpark approximately 8 km south of Hokitika on State Highway 6 or from a carpark 14 km south of Hokitika on the eastern side of Lake Mahinapua on the Ross-Rimu road from Hokitika. The walk can be done from either direction. Please be aware that Dogs are not permitted in the Mahinapua Scenic Reserve.