Exploring Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes

Layer upon layer

New Zealand is a country of unmatched natural beauty and the South Island boasts some of the most incredible coastline in the world. Turquoise blue water laps at grey sands on the edge of acres and acres of untouched, unspoilt rainforest. This is where you’ll find Punakaiki: a rugged little village on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, home to unique natural sights, well worth making the trip for. Thinking of paying it a visit? Here, you’ll find recommendations for where to stay, what to see and what to expect.

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Low tide at Punakaiki

Where to find Punakaiki: West Coast

Punakaiki is found on the South Island of New Zealand, on the West Coast. You’ll find it about an hour south of the town of Westport and 45 minutes north of Greymouth. Follow the New Zealand State Highway 6 down the coast and it will lead you right to it! As you make your way down, you’ll be flanked on one side by the sea and on the other by the rainforest. When you find yourself travelling past Paparoa National Park, you’re nearly there.

A map of Punakaiki and the surrounding areas, complete with hiking tracks and points of interest

What’s the best Punakaiki accommodation?

There are countless lodges, hostels and guest houses you can stay at when you visit Punakaiki - it’s a bit of a tourist hotspot for people visiting the West Coast. Where you stay, of course, depends on how many of you there are and what kind of experience you’re looking for in the area. For those looking for something easy and relaxed, we recommend Te Nikau Retreat, tucked away in the forest between the main road and the beach. It’s incredibly peaceful, and you can make your way on foot to the Truman Track in 5 minutes. There are shared guest lodges, as well as a villa you can rent all to yourself. If you want to book, check out the link below!

Tranquil Te Ruru Lodge

Things to do in Punakaiki

The main attractions, of course, are the pancake rocks and blowholes, but there’s a wealth of other attractions to discover while you’re in the area!

A curious weka

1. Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track

To get the best view of the Punakaiki pancake rocks and hopefully see some blowhole action, make your way over to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track. It’s a 1.1km loop that takes you along the tops of the pancake rocks, past blowholes and nesting seagulls.

A walkway worth exploring

The loop should take roughly 20 minutes to complete and is accessible for wheelchair users - up to a point. There are sections of the track that cannot be accessed except by some steep stairs, but these are few, so should not impede able walkers and trekkers.

Layered pancake rocks, thousands of years in the making

2. The Truman Track

Once you’ve had your fill of the pancake rocks, as you look out across the sea, you might be keen to get a little closer. A little way down the road (roughly a 5-minute drive), you’ll find the Truman Track. It’s a paved walkway that leads through the forest down to a secluded cove by the sea. This 1.3km there-and-back trail should take roughly 20 minutes to complete but, if you wish to spend some time on the beach, checking out rock pools and splashing about in the waves, you’ll be there longer, of course.

You’ll find informative plaques all up and down the walkways

3. Punakaiki cavern

Just around the corner from the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes track, you’ll find Punakaiki Cavern; 130 metres of cave, just waiting to be explored. It is deep and dark, but perfectly safe. These rocks have stood just as they are for thousands of years. As you head toward the inner reaches, keep an eye out for stalactites and stalagmites and, with a bit of luck, you might even see glow worms! The cavern entrance is a short walk from the main road, perfect for a little stop and a quick look on your way to or from the pancake rocks, or you can grab your torch and take a deep dive into the dark. Whichever you choose, it’s worth a look!

Not for the claustrophobic

4. Punakaiki swing bridge and hiking tracks

A five-minute drive south from Punakaiki village, you’ll find the Punakaiki swing bridge. It’s the beginning of the Punakaiki-Pororari Loop - a 3-hour round walk that takes you on an easy climb through the rainforest and back to where you began. It starts at the swing bridge. You can’t miss it! The rain, unfortunately, was torrential while we were making our way around so we weren’t able to go far before having to turn back. A word of warning; be careful by the river! The levels can rise rapidly and without warning during heavy rainfall.

Punakaiki swing bridge in the rain

What is the Punakaiki weather like?

With it being on the coast of New Zealand’s South Island, you can rightly expect quite a lot of rain. We felt the full brunt of that as, when we arrived, it was the beginning of a major storm, featuring the wettest recorded day since 1979! If you want to make the most of some time by the coast, exploring the rainforest or simply relaxing on the beach, the best times to go are between December and March - that’s New Zealand’s summer, and the time where you’re most likely to see some sun!

We, however, were not deterred by the rain

It’s also important, if you want to see some blowhole action, to visit at high tide. This changes day to day and throughout the year, so make sure you check the tides ahead of time. You can do so here.

Rugged, unspoilt beauty

That said, the landscape and natural beauty of this rugged coastline is a special place to experience in any climate. Even gale-force winds! If you’re considering a trip to the West Coast and Punakaiki this year, we’d highly recommend it.

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