LEAVE YOUR MAPLE SYRUP AT HOME
10 DECEMBER 2024
You Might Break Your Teeth Biting Into One Of These
The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks are a natural attraction on the West Coast region of New Zealand, that are a must see when driving up the West Coast. We love the whole Punakaiki area, it has major Hawaiian vibes because of the ocean and because the place is COVERED in nikau palm trees!
There is a 1.1km track that takes you on a short walk around the pancake rocks, so you can get up close and personal to them. The track takes around 20-minutes (if you're taking your sweet time, you can do it in less time) and it's flat and easy to walk on. We spent around an hour at the rocks as it was golden hour and boy was it beautiful! I think we enjoyed the view out to sea more, as the golden glow was cast onto the huge rock pillars not too far out in the ocean.
We enjoyed walking along the track, it wasn't too cold or windy and it was quiet because it was early spring and not peak season for tourism. There are views the whole way along where you can look way down below into the caverns, watching the water surge against the rocks, areas where you're above stacks of pancake rocks and you get a great view across the ocean, and other areas where you're literally able to touch and feel the rocks which is really cool for kids (and big kids).
It's such a beautiful track, with so many things to love about it. I loved the short stone wall that adorned the path some parts of the way along and I loved seeing the waves surge against the giant arches carved out way below. This is a huge attraction to the place, as people come to see the blowhole. At high tide, the waves crash hard against the caverns below, as well as pressurized air, and these elements both find their way through the caverns and upwards, creating an impressive spray up into the air and it's most impressive when there's a south-westerly swell. We made sure to go at high tide so we could see the blowhole but sadly it was a very calm day! Looking at photos on Google afterwards, it wasn't what we were expecting anyway but I'm sure it is really cool to see in person.
There is a 1.1km track that takes you on a short walk around the pancake rocks, so you can get up close and personal to them. The track takes around 20-minutes (if you're taking your sweet time, you can do it in less time) and it's flat and easy to walk on. We spent around an hour at the rocks as it was golden hour and boy was it beautiful! I think we enjoyed the view out to sea more, as the golden glow was cast onto the huge rock pillars not too far out in the ocean.
We enjoyed walking along the track, it wasn't too cold or windy and it was quiet because it was early spring and not peak season for tourism. There are views the whole way along where you can look way down below into the caverns, watching the water surge against the rocks, areas where you're above stacks of pancake rocks and you get a great view across the ocean, and other areas where you're literally able to touch and feel the rocks which is really cool for kids (and big kids).
It's such a beautiful track, with so many things to love about it. I loved the short stone wall that adorned the path some parts of the way along and I loved seeing the waves surge against the giant arches carved out way below. This is a huge attraction to the place, as people come to see the blowhole. At high tide, the waves crash hard against the caverns below, as well as pressurized air, and these elements both find their way through the caverns and upwards, creating an impressive spray up into the air and it's most impressive when there's a south-westerly swell. We made sure to go at high tide so we could see the blowhole but sadly it was a very calm day! Looking at photos on Google afterwards, it wasn't what we were expecting anyway but I'm sure it is really cool to see in person.
Along the scenic road to Punakaiki
Golden Glow
As I mentioned before, we were at the pancake rocks at the golden hour before sunset. The colour was just incredible, casting the cliffs in a blanket of gold. We LOVE golden hour, but we never seem to spend enough time in it because it's too late in summer or too cold for us to be out in winter! It's always worth it though and we have experienced some STUUUUNNING golden scenes in places like Roys Peak in Wanaka , the Wither Hills in Blenheim at sunrise and sunset.
The pancake-like formations originated approximately 30 million years ago when tiny remnants of dead marine life and plants settled on the seabed, reaching depths of about 2 km. The huge water pressure led to the consolidation of these fragments into both hard and soft layers. Over time, seismic activity raised the limestone formations above the seabed and the pancake shapes were then sculpted by the effects of mildly acidic rain, wind, and seawater erosion. So this is how they got their name... but I'm sure you have figured that out already, you smart cookie ;) On a side note, they don't look like any pancakes I've ever eaten!
The pancake-like formations originated approximately 30 million years ago when tiny remnants of dead marine life and plants settled on the seabed, reaching depths of about 2 km. The huge water pressure led to the consolidation of these fragments into both hard and soft layers. Over time, seismic activity raised the limestone formations above the seabed and the pancake shapes were then sculpted by the effects of mildly acidic rain, wind, and seawater erosion. So this is how they got their name... but I'm sure you have figured that out already, you smart cookie ;) On a side note, they don't look like any pancakes I've ever eaten!
A Sunset To Remember
After we visited the pancake rocks, we headed back to our accommodation at the Scenic Hotel in Punakaiki (which we highly recommend staying at by the way!). It's on the beach front and is really secluded and it has the most amazing views across the ocean. We spent what little light we had left by exploring the beach and being in awe of the colours coming from the sky! My HD crashed a few months ago and I had no back up, so I lost 6 months worth of photos (devastating) and the better sunset shots were on there, so I'm unable to share them with you guys right now.
We had hoped to see the local penguin colony come in at a beach further north of our hotel, but we had left it a little too late. Next time!
We had hoped to see the local penguin colony come in at a beach further north of our hotel, but we had left it a little too late. Next time!
View on the way back to our hotel
Know Before You Go
- Keep kids close by as there are steep drop offs over the walls and fences
- The blowhole is best seen at high tide, especially when there are south-west swells happening
- The toilets are on the opposite of the road to the entrace
- This is a free attraction
How To Get To The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Click here for the location on Google Maps.
The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks are just over 1 hour north of Hokitika and 40 minutes north of Greymouth. Parking is on the main road (State Highway 6) and the entrance is opposite the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre. It's well sign posted but look out for the stone walls with the gold writing.
The Punakaiki Pancake Rocks are just over 1 hour north of Hokitika and 40 minutes north of Greymouth. Parking is on the main road (State Highway 6) and the entrance is opposite the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre. It's well sign posted but look out for the stone walls with the gold writing.
Conclusion
We're big fans of cool rocks, so we loved walking around the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. It's a really short walk that takes 20-minutes and it's kid, pram and wheelchair friendly. The blowhole looks like a fun attraction if you're there at the right time! The views from the track are endless and we love how it feels like Hawaii when you're in Punakaiki.
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