July 1st, 2023 What to do in Ōkārito when you’re not kayaking … Beautiful walks Ōkārito has fantastic walks through the pristine forests of the surrounding Westland Tai Poutini National Park. The Ōkārito Trig is the most popular; a good 150m climb on a good gravelled track up to a stunning viewpoint overlooking the town, lagoon, coastline and across the breadth of the central Southern Alps. A longer trek to Three Mile Lagoon is also well worth the effort – time this with low tide to access the beach on the way out or back; low tide times are posted at the start of the track access. Less well-known, and just a few km back along the road out of town, the beautiful, quiet Pakihi walk is a shorter 30-minute return up a steep but easy track to a viewing platform – our favourite place to have an early dinner with the kids, looking out to the coast and across the Southern Alps on the horizon, often with Kea or Fernbird hopping around you inquisitively. History at your feet Donovan’s Store is the oldest wooden building on the West Coast, and the Heritage listed building serves the town function centre for meetings, events and even music gigs every few weeks during summer months. It’s played host to some incredibly talented NZ performers and a night at Donovan’s (capacity 40) is a pretty unique experience. The old wharf shed is probably the West Coast’s most photographed building, sitting in front of a incredible lagoon and mountains backdrop. Venture inside to view a series of displays about the history of Ōkārito, to give you a sense of this place and it’s people. Ōkārito is celebrated as a Tohu Whenua site, acknowledging its significance in New Zealand history, particularly to Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio, mana whenua, as a whare wānanga and mahinga kai.
