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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.
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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.
Pancake Rocks, Punakāiki © 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 of over 130m safe, explorable passages.
Petrel Colony Tours
Slap bang in the middle of Punakāiki and Barrytown, this private wildlife sanctuary is just a seven-minute drive from both towns. 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. A waterfall plummets straight onto the beach.
Truman Track, Punakāiki © Adobe Stock
