Shining Star Beachfront Accommodation Hokitika

The Shining Star is located in Hokitika on the west coast. It was my first stop on a 8 day tour around the south island. It took just over 3 hours to drive from Christchurch over Arthur's Pass to Hokitika.

There is something for everyone here: basic and deluxe cabins, power sites for camper-vans and tent sites. The management staff is very friendly and helpful. The reception area has the usual tourist info available and also sells bottles of wine.

I stayed in an en-suite cabin. Though very small, it was all my travel buddy and I needed for one night. One double bed, one single bed, table and chairs, fridge, TV and shower and toilet. Wireless internet available for a fee. Cooking, shower and laundry facilities are also available.

The property has a park like setting and backs up on to a great beach which is great for sunsets. Additionally there is a menagerie of animals - ducks, chickens, two llamas, some goats and two very large and very ugly pigs! With that said the animals were not noisy at all. The chickens wander the property and will come right up to your cabin door. I am sure they are expecting some bread crumbs to be tossed to them.

The town center is only 2 minutes by car or a 10 minute walk. There is a few shops and a couple of restaurants. A good place to buy jade.

The next time I am on the west coast I will be staying at the Shining Star again and would recommend it to others.

Oh....nearly forgot. If you do grab that bottle of wine to go sit on the beach and enjoy the sunset do not forget the bug spray. Those sand flys are EVIL!!