 Punakaiki is the gateway to the national park and is situated right next to the famous Pancake Rocks.
Wind and waves have sculpted these stratified limestone rocks into a surreal landscape of bizarre columns and ridges that rise impressively above the coast. At high tide blowholes become active at those points where the sea has undermined the rocks and is squeezed up through narrow fissures to produce a spectacular spray of water. The rocks can be reached along a track that starts just opposite the Visitor Centre.
Weird limestone formations do not stop at the coast however, as the interior of the park is also a magnificent karst landscape of narrow rugged gorges, cliffs and cave systems. All these geological features are cloaked in a primeval rainforest, alive with native birds, that is just waiting to be explored on one of the park's well defined trails or perhaps on a canoe trip up the Pororari Gorge. In summer, when the rata trees are flowering red, the lowland forests are especially beautiful.
Apart from walking, the park and environs can also be explored by canoe, bicycle or on horseback. Kiwa Sea Adventures offer trips along the coast to see dolphins, fur seals and spotted shags. A real treat for bird-watchers is a visit to the world's only breeding colony of Westland black petrels (Procellaria westlandica). The best time to observe the birds is between June and October, but note that the colony can only be visited on a guided tour with Paparoa Nature Tours. They also organise other bird-watching trips within the park.
Walks in Paparoa Park
Among the park's shorter walks are the Truman Track (30 minutes round trip) and Pororari River Track (3 hours). Both are located a few miles north of the Punakaiki Visitor Centre and serve as excellent introductions to the park's unique sub-tropical vegetation. Tree-ferns, nikau palms, yellow-flowering kowhai trees and native forest giants such as rimu, matai and kahikatea, are features of these tracks. An additional attraction of the Truman Track is the spectacular section of coastline where it ends.
Longer walks include the Inland Pack Track (2-3 days) and Croesus Track (2-3 days), although the latter is not actually within the park's boundaries. As flooding can make some of the inland tracks impassable, it is important to check at the Visitors Centre before setting out. Detailed information about all the tracks mentioned here, and others as well, can be obtained from the Centre.
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