Punakaiki

Punakaiki is on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island and has the Department of Conservation Centre for the surrounding Paparoa National Park.

It has great coastal scenery and is best known for the Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes.

By car
The long drive in (2-3 hr) from Nelson winds through the Buller Gorge before it nears Westport and is scenically interesting almost the whole way, but along narrow, winding, roads. The final 50 min drive south from Westport is along a truly stunning coast after you reach the sea.

From the south, you'll have to pass through Greymouth. Punakaiki is approximately 3.5 hr drive north of Fox Glacier.

By bus

 * Intercity Coaches operate coaches from Nelson to Greymouth, which stop in Punakaiki once per day in each direction. Coaches often stop for a refreshment stop here, which allows a quick 15 minutes or so looking at the Pancake Rocks.


 * East West Coaches run shuttle buses from Westport to Christchurch via Arthur's Pass and Greymouth which stop her once per day in each direction.

Do

 * Truman Track MRD 2022 03.jpg
 * Truman Track MRD 2022 03.jpg
 * Truman Track MRD 2022 03.jpg
 * Truman Track MRD 2022 03.jpg
 * Truman Track MRD 2022 03.jpg

Buy

 * Punakaiki Crafts, State Highway 6, +64 3 731-1813. Co-op owned and featuring changing displays of greenstone, wood, glass, and other materials.  Summer, 08:30-19:00; Winter, 09:00-17:00.

Sleep

 * Punakaiki Tavern Accommodation, State Highway 6 and Owen St, +64 3 731 1188. Nine ensuite studios.
 * Punakaiki Tavern Accommodation, State Highway 6 and Owen St, +64 3 731 1188. Nine ensuite studios.
 * Punakaiki Tavern Accommodation, State Highway 6 and Owen St, +64 3 731 1188. Nine ensuite studios.
 * Punakaiki Tavern Accommodation, State Highway 6 and Owen St, +64 3 731 1188. Nine ensuite studios.
 * Punakaiki Tavern Accommodation, State Highway 6 and Owen St, +64 3 731 1188. Nine ensuite studios.
 * Punakaiki Tavern Accommodation, State Highway 6 and Owen St, +64 3 731 1188. Nine ensuite studios.
 * Punakaiki Tavern Accommodation, State Highway 6 and Owen St, +64 3 731 1188. Nine ensuite studios.
 * Punakaiki Tavern Accommodation, State Highway 6 and Owen St, +64 3 731 1188. Nine ensuite studios.

Go next

 * Westport – to the north
 * Greymouth – to the south
 * Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier – tourist attractions further to the south