1 minute read
Punakāiki Must Do's
PAPAROA NATIONAL PARK
From Punakāiki it’s a mere hop into the park, famed for its incredulous limestone formations, including the Pancake Rocks and noteworthy walks such as Paparoa Track.
Advertisement
PUNAKĀIKI PANCAKE ROCKS
A series of rocks that resemble stacked pancakes, albeit ‘made’ 30 million years ago. Joined by erupting blowholes and a ferocious surge pool called the Devil's Cauldron.
Punakāiki Pancake Rocks © West Coast Tourism
PUNAKĀIKI CAVERN
A short walk from Punakāiki village (and a five-minute walk from Pancake Rocks), an unassuming wooden stairway descends into a cavern with over 130m of safe, explorable passages.
PETREL COLONY TOURS
Between Punakāiki and Barrytown, this private wildlife sanctuary is just a seven-minute drive from either town. Join a sunrise or sunset tour of the world’s only breeding grounds of the Westland Petrel. Open April to mid- December.
TRUMAN TRACK
In Paparoa National Park, this 30-minute return track burrows through subtropical forest before emerging on the coast where a waterfall plummets straight onto the beach.
