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Located in the heart of the Paparoa National Park, midway between Westport and Greymouth, is Punakaiki, on the ‘Coast Road’, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular coastal drives.
Nearby are the Pancake rocks and blowholes; limestone rock formations that have been transformed by a layering and weathering process known as stylobedding into what look like stacks of thin pancakes. When the tide rises, seawater surges into caverns below the rocks and squirts out in impressive geyser-like jets.
A short loop walk providing fabulous views of the phenomena follows from the road around the rocks. Guided beach, forest and mountain walks introduce the area’s beauty, and in the winter months the rare Westland black petrels return to their colony to breed.
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Suggested itinerary featuring Punakaiki
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Punakaiki, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Punakaiki
- Hokitika 75 kilometers away
- Arthur's Pass National Park 96 kilometers away
- Hanmer Springs 132 kilometers away
- Kahurangi National Park 141 kilometers away
- Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers 186 kilometers away
- Nelson 187 kilometers away
- Abel Tasman National Park 189 kilometers away
- Christchurch 191 kilometers away
- Collingwood & Farewell Spit 195 kilometers away
- Kaikoura 196 kilometers away
- Mount Cook National Park 208 kilometers away
- Lake Tekapo 222 kilometers away
- Blenheim 227 kilometers away
- Akaroa & Banks Peninsula 231 kilometers away
- Picton 240 kilometers away
- South Island 242 kilometers away
- Marlborough Sounds 254 kilometers away
- Twizel 260 kilometers away
- Wellington 301 kilometers away
- The Kapiti Coast 335 kilometers away
- Lake Wanaka 339 kilometers away
- Martinborough 358 kilometers away
- Greytown 362 kilometers away
- Wairarapa & surrounds 364 kilometers away
- Arrowtown 375 kilometers away
- Glenorchy 388 kilometers away
- Queenstown 391 kilometers away
- Whanganui National Park 395 kilometers away
- Milford Sound 397 kilometers away
- Taranaki & New Plymouth 411 kilometers away
- The Otago Peninsula 422 kilometers away
- Dunedin 425 kilometers away
- Te Anau & Manapouri 470 kilometers away
- Tongariro National Park 478 kilometers away
Photos of Punakaiki
Accommodation choices for Punakaiki
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Punakaiki. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
Punakaiki