Lake Kaniere

Kaniere is a deep glacial lake about eight kilometres long, ringed by rainforest with the Southern Alps behind it, and it is the calmer half of the Hokitika inland loop that also takes in the gorge. Three things are worth the stop. Dorothy Falls drops beside the road on the eastern shore, so it costs nothing but a pull-over. The Kaniere Water Race Walkway follows a channel dug in the 1870s to carry water to the goldfields, now a flat and easy track of about three and a half hours one way through bush beside the running race. And Hans Bay has a DOC campsite, a jetty and the only real swimming access. The lake is used for boating and trout fishing, and in summer the water is cold but tolerable. The road round the eastern side is unsealed, narrow and slow, which keeps traffic light.

What you actually see

• Dorothy Falls - beside the road on the eastern shore.
• The water race walkway - a flat track along an 1870s goldfields channel.
• Hans Bay - the campsite, jetty and swimming access.
• The lake and Alps - forest shoreline with mountains behind.

When to go

November to April. Mornings are calmest for reflections. The eastern road is unsealed and slow - allow time for the loop.

Honest expectations

The water is cold year round. The eastern road is narrow gravel and not enjoyable in a large vehicle. Sandflies are persistent at the shore. Facilities are limited to the campsite.

Nearby

Hokitika Gorge is on the same inland loop; Hokitika and the coast are west.