Pancake Rocks (Punakaiki)

2467 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

5/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

2012

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Husband

Reasons for trip

If you are ever travelling down the West Coast of New Zealand, (itself one of the best drives in the world) between Westport and Greymouth, it is worth stopping for 2 or 3 hours at the Pancake Rocks (known as Punakaiki in Maori). Parking is opposite the Truman Track at Te Miko, north of Punakaiki and is well signposted on the main highway. There is also an information centre, a craft shop and cafes nearby.

The rocks themselves are made of limestone, worn and sculpted by the weather and sea, removing over the years the soft layers, leaving interesting stacks resembling pancakes layered on top of each other. The coastline they are on is known as Dolomite point. The route has lookout decks and interesting info boards along the way. It is quite a wide tarmaced track which is suitable for wheelchairs and for those with limited mobility for most of the way. There are also stunning views up and down the rugged coast and the mountains.

The best time to go is at high tide when the water comes in to the blow-holes and, if there is a good swell , they are spectacular. Check tide times with the DoC (dept of conservation). We were unimpressed with view at the first lookout we came to but were pleasantly surprised at the next and it just got better and better. There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way and we took a lot of photos and videos. When we came to the blow holes we had missed high water by about an hour but there was still some spurting with each swell with the spray forming rainbows when the sun was shining.

The nearby Truman Track takes you through the beautiful sub-tropical rainforest of nikau palms, rimu, ferns etc.As it nears the coast it passes through typical West Coast coastal flax flats, a relatively short and at times shady walk. At the end you can go down steps to the beaches and explore the caves.

A good rest point for us and became a good introduction to the varied landscape of South Island.

Silver Travel Advisor

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.