The blue blue blue of Hokitika Gorge, South Island's West Coast

I gasped the first time I looked down on the water running through Hokitika Gorge. Such a brilliant blue it looked like someone had actually spilt a paint pot into it. Surely such coloured water did not exist naturally? The road to the Gorge is somewhat uninspiring following long straight roads lined through the farm lands. Once you ditch your car in what is now an extended car park (thankfully as at peak times it was somewhat tight) the adventure begins - taking you through native west coast bush to the viewpoints over the water. Further down the pathway a swing bridge takes you across this ‘mirage’ - believe me it does swing so do hold on tight especially to those cameras and phones. Fabulous views are on offer in either direction up and down the river and you feel at this point that you are actually overlooking the central part of the gorge itself. Across the far side of the bridge is a haven for bird life with many fantails and wax eyes joining you on the track. What you ideally want to miss though are the pesky sandflies that at times can be quite prevalent here - stand still for a couple of minutes and if they are near they will find you, be warned.