Punakaiki is on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island and has the Department of Conservation Centre for the surrounding Paparoa National Park.
It has great coastal scenery and is best known for the Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes.
- Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes. The Pancake Rocks are picturesque limestone formations that look curiously like stony stacks of pancakes after being pounded by the Tasman Sea for tens of thousands of years. The blow holes funnel blasts water up to 15 m (50 ft) into the air as the waves crash into the caverns below the rocks. The best spouts are caught at high tides with westerly waves (usually signposted at the information centre) but a leisurely 20 min walk around the boardwalks is still great even without timing your visit.
Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes. The Pancake Rocks are picturesque limestone formations that look curiously like stony stacks of pancakes after being pounded by the Tasman Sea for tens of thousands of years. The blow holes funnel blasts water up to 15 m (50 ft) into the air as the waves crash into the caverns below the rocks. The best spouts are caught at high tides with westerly waves (usually signposted at the information centre) but a leisurely 20 min walk around the boardwalks is still great even without timing your visit.
- Punakaiki Horse Treks, +64 3 731-1839. Guided two and a half hour treks leaving morning and afternoon. Ride into Punakaiki river valley and Paparoa national park and finish along the beach. $125 per person with a two person minimum for the standard tour, personalized tours for $175. Closed during the winter.
- Pororari River Track. A track follows the otherworldly Pororari River valley from just north of the pancake rocks. Go as far as you feel like or get to the intersection with the track to Punakaiki town - the whole circle down the two rivers and then over the coastal hill including the pancake rocks takes about 4 hours.
- Punakaiki Canoes, +64 3 731-1870.
- Nature's Tours, Punakaiki Canoes building (1 km north of Punakaiki Information Centre, +64 3 731-1442. Specialised guided tours exploring the coastlines and forests of the Paparoa National Park. $45-400.
- Paparoa Track and Pike29 Memorial Track. The Paparoa Track is a "Great Walk" for walkers and mountain bikers opening in December 2019. For walker the track run from Smoke-ho car park to Pororari River car park. The track is 55km and there are three huts available from pre-reserved accommodation. The Pike29 Memorial Track is a branch of the track which will open in December 2020, going to the site of the former Pike River Mine. The Pike River Mine was a coal mine which exploded in 2010, killing 29 miners.
Punakaiki Horse Treks, +64 3 731-1839. Guided two and a half hour treks leaving morning and afternoon. Ride into Punakaiki river valley and Paparoa national park and finish along the beach. $125 per person with a two person minimum for the standard tour, personalized tours for $175. Closed during the winter.
Pororari River Track. A track follows the otherworldly Pororari River valley from just north of the pancake rocks. Go as far as you feel like or get to the intersection with the track to Punakaiki town - the whole circle down the two rivers and then over the coastal hill including the pancake rocks takes about 4 hours.
Punakaiki Canoes, +64 3 731-1870.
Nature's Tours, Punakaiki Canoes building (1 km north of Punakaiki Information Centre, +64 3 731-1442. Specialised guided tours exploring the coastlines and forests of the Paparoa National Park. $45-400.
Paparoa Track and Pike29 Memorial Track. The Paparoa Track is a "Great Walk" for walkers and mountain bikers opening in December 2019. For walker the track run from Smoke-ho car park to Pororari River car park. The track is 55km and there are three huts available from pre-reserved accommodation. The Pike29 Memorial Track is a branch of the track which will open in December 2020, going to the site of the former Pike River Mine. The Pike River Mine was a coal mine which exploded in 2010, killing 29 miners.
- Punakaiki Crafts, State Highway 6, +64 3 731-1813. Co-op owned and featuring changing displays of greenstone, wood, glass, and other materials. Summer, 08:30-19:00; Winter, 09:00-17:00.
Punakaiki Crafts, State Highway 6, +64 3 731-1813. Co-op owned and featuring changing displays of greenstone, wood, glass, and other materials. Summer, 08:30-19:00; Winter, 09:00-17:00.
- Punakaiki Cafe, State Highway 6, +64 3 731-1813.
- Punakaiki Tavern & Bistro, State Highway 6 and Owen Street, +64 3 731-1188. Daily from 08:00.
- Rata Cafe, State Highway 6, +64 3 731-1151. Views of the sea. Summer, open 7 days; Winter, W-Su.
- Seascape, +64 3 731-1168. Located on the beachfront with views of the Tasman Sea. Opening at 07:00 for breakfast and then staying open for lunch and dinner.
- Wild Coast Cafe, +64 3 731-1873. Groceries and liquor also available. Daily 08:00 to sunset.
Punakaiki Cafe, State Highway 6, +64 3 731-1813.
Punakaiki Tavern & Bistro, State Highway 6 and Owen Street, +64 3 731-1188. Daily from 08:00.
Rata Cafe, State Highway 6, +64 3 731-1151. Views of the sea. Summer, open 7 days; Winter, W-Su.
Seascape, +64 3 731-1168. Located on the beachfront with views of the Tasman Sea. Opening at 07:00 for breakfast and then staying open for lunch and dinner.
Wild Coast Cafe, +64 3 731-1873. Groceries and liquor also available. Daily 08:00 to sunset.
- Westport – to the north
- Greymouth – to the south
- Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier – tourist attractions further to the south