Just before reaching Hokitika on the West Coast, you’ll find a turn-off to the West Coast Tree Top Walk. According to their website, the attraction is both wheelchair- and pushchair-friendly. The walkway’s design originates from Australia, where similar structures have been built in locations such as the Valley of the Giants, Tahune, Otway Fly, and Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk. The prefabricated walkway was constructed in Australia, shipped to the West Coast, and assembled in just six weeks before opening to the public on December 15, 2012.
We were excited to give it a try since family activities that include everyone are often hard to come by. Typically, one family member stays with Finlay while the rest of us participate, as many activities aren’t accessible to him. If only he could self-transfer, so many more opportunities would open up.
When we arrived, we found a gravel carpark with a sign indicating where to park for mobility cardholders. The designated mobility parking was simply the closest gravel area to the entry.
During our visit to the West Coast Tree Tops Walk, we were informed that the walk would take approximately 45 minutes. However, reaching the start of the tree top walk required traveling up a long gravel gradient. We were assured that a power wheelchair would manage the terrain easily, and we found this to be true—Finlay’s powerchair handled it without any issues, maintaining traction on the gravel the entire way.
Curious about accessibility for manual wheelchair users, we inquired about the options available. Staff explained that a golf cart is typically used, with a system for clipping the wheelchair onto the back and ramps to assist with self-transfers into the cart. This setup is similar to what we experienced in Hobbiton. Unfortunately, the golf cart has been out of service for quite some time, with no signs of repair in the near future.
In the meantime, visitors without a power wheelchair are offered a courtesy manual wheelchair to push up the gradient. Knowing how challenging it is to push even an all-terrain manual wheelchair up a steep gravel path, I had my concerns. These grew when I saw the wheelchair provided—a lightweight hospital-style chair designed for indoor use, not rugged outdoor conditions. I suggested that they consider investing in a motorized all-terrain wheelchair, such as the Vimo model available at the local Hokitika i-Site Information Centre.
That said, I’ve also heard that on occasion, they allow visitors to drive up the road to the walk’s starting point, which seems like a far more practical solution for those unable to manage the gradient.
All in all, our experience in a power wheelchair was smooth and enjoyable, but I hope they can improve accessibility for manual wheelchair users in the future.
Experiencing the Tree Top Walk
There’s nothing quite like walking above and through native bush, listening to the birds sing and soaking in the breathtaking views. It’s truly a must-do experience! As you make your way along the narrow walkway, you’ll come across platforms where you can pause, take in the scenery, and let others pass.
While the experience was magical, I couldn’t help but feel a little sad that Finlay wasn’t able to fully appreciate the views. Sitting lower than the steel safety fencing meant his line of sight was obstructed, limiting his experience compared to mine. It would have been such a wonderful touch to include glass panels in key areas—especially on the platforms—to allow everyone, regardless of their height or ability, to fully take in the scenery. Hopefully, future designs for these prefabricated structures will consider this, making the experience even more inclusive.
The highlight of the walk is the tall lookout tower, which can only be accessed via a spiral staircase.
Unfortunately, this meant Finlay had to wait below while we climbed to the top. The view from up there was absolutely stunning, though I’ll admit it gave me a bit of vertigo as I looked out! This is also where the zipline starts, and it had me thinking about how they could make it more accessible. Perhaps a winch system could lift wheelchair users to the top, allowing them to clip into the zipline harness for the ride down—what an incredible experience that would be!
There is another lookout point further along the walkway that is wheelchair-accessible, but again, the “cage-like” safety netting blocked Finlay from fully enjoying the view. This is one of those times when a powerchair with a seat that elevates would make all the difference! It would be amazing to see more inclusive solutions implemented in spaces like this so that everyone can share in the same awe-inspiring moments.
While I’ve highlighted a few areas where improvements could make this experience even more inclusive, these are simply observations and suggestions for the future. The truth is, this trip was an absolute highlight for our family. Being able to share this adventure together, surrounded by nature, was truly something special. The joy of exploring the treetops and taking in the stunning views as a family is a memory we’ll cherish forever. If you’re visiting the West Coast, the Tree Top Walk is an experience not to be missed, it’s a place where connection, nature, and adventure come together beautifully.