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Before you go
Your trip to Punakaiki.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Punakaiki – West Coast Destination West Coast and the Glaciers
How to get there
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Aeroporto de Hokitika (HKK) Hokitika · 86 km
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Estação ferroviária de Greymouth Greymouth · 46 km
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
It is on Highway 6, about 46 km north of Greymouth, where the TranzAlpine train arrives, and about 56 km south of Westport. Long-distance buses stop in the village.
How many days
Half a day for the Pancake Rocks and a short walk. With a full day, include the Pororari River track. The Paparoa Track requires two to three days.
When to go
Year-round. For the sprays at the Pancake Rocks, high tide with strong swell. From December to March the days are longer.
The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.
Do you need a car?
It helps to plan, because the village is isolated and buses run infrequently. The Pancake Rocks and short walks are within walking distance of the village.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Punakaiki
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Morning
Pororari River Track
Walk the Pororari River track, which climbs through a limestone gorge among nikau palms and forest, starting from the bridge north of the village.
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Afternoon
Truman Track
Do the Truman Track, a short forest walk to a stony beach with cliffs and a small waterfall that falls onto the sand.
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Late afternoon
Pancake Rocks
Walk the Pancake Rocks circuit, preferably near high tide to see the sprays through the holes in the rock. Check the tide table at the visitor centre.
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Evening
Village of Punakaiki
Dine in the village, which has few restaurants, or continue to Greymouth, about 45 minutes away.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to see the Pancake Rocks?
Around high tide with strong swell, when the sea sprays through the holes in the rock. At low tide the formations are still visible, but without the sprays.
Is Punakaiki far from Greymouth?
About 46 km, roughly a 45-minute drive on Highway 6, along a coastal road.
What is the Paparoa Track?
It is one of New Zealand’s Great Walks: 55 km across the Paparoa Range, done on foot or by bike in two to three days, finishing near Punakaiki.
Is it worth staying overnight in Punakaiki?
For those who want to see the Pancake Rocks at high tide and do the walks at a relaxed pace, yes. If you have limited time, it can also be a stop on the route between Westport and Greymouth.