The Best Punakaiki Walks – Short NZ South Island Walks

Punakaiki is an ideal destination for those who want to marvel at natural wonders. At the western edge of the Paparoa National Park, the area offers some of the finest hikes in New Zealand’s South Island. This list of the best Punakaiki walks includes short and easy hikes, making them doable for most visitors.

Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk

When you think about Punakaiki, you probably think about the unique 30 million-year-old limestone formations that look like pancakes. Welcome to the iconic Pancake Rocks, which is why most people travel to the area!

The must-do Punakaiki walk features an easy hike through rainforest and flax. It leads to the spectacular Pancake Rocks and Blowholes site, where you can view the ocean surging in pools and blowholes through the extraordinary limestone formations. The views across the wild surf of the Tasman Sea and the coastline are magnificent. It truly is an awe-inspiring walk you should not miss!

The 20-minute loop walk (1.1 km) is a stroll on a paved path. However, be mindful of slippery steps during wet weather.

You will find seats, lookout platforms and information boards on the walk. Be sure to look out for dolphins. Unfortunately, we have not seen any, but we have heard plenty of people have.

New Zealand South Island Travel Insider Guide Tips: If you are staying overnight in the area, do this Punakaiki walk at sunset, as the colours and the sunset are stunning!

To get to the start of the walk, travel 30 minutes north of Greymouth to Punakaiki or 45 minutes south of Westport. The track starts opposite the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre. You will also find a carpark and shops here.

Read Next – Best Attractions on the West Coast.

Truman Track

One of our favourite West Coast short walks, the Truman Track is an effortless walk through an old-growth forest with a few exceptionally tall trees.

Truman Track Walk features New Zealand’s wilderness, from the lush subtropical rainforest to the wild, rough sea. The short 1.4 km long flat wide path is a 30-minute return trip and is an extraordinary experience.

The highlight of the walk is when you reach the wooden viewing platform and see the epic views of the coastline spanning before you and the wild sea. You can also see Pancake Rocks in the distance.

For an extra adventure, the wooden steps continue down to the beach. At low tide, you can explore caves, waterfalls and rock pools. However, it is not recommended at high tide as rough seas with surging tides can be unpredictable.

To reach Truman Track, travel 4 km north of Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre. You will find a small car park, with the trail on the opposite side of the road.

It is possible to walk from the visitor centre through Punakaiki Village to Truman Track, along a path following the highway. It takes 50 minutes. We have driven and walked this route, and if you love walks, we suggest you add this walk, Punakaiki Shared Pathway, to your itinerary.

Make sure to include the Truman Track in your Punakaiki walks itinerary. For more information and to view our photo gallery of this incredible walk, Read – Truman Track: An Awe-inspiring West Coast Walk.

Punakaiki Shared Pathway

The new shared pathway is an initiative by the government’s regional economic development unit, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency and community consultation to offer safe paths in Punakaiki for residents and visitors.

The shared path is for cyclists and walkers alike and stands up in its own right (compared to official DOC walks). The Punakaiki walk offers spectacular scenery of towering cliffs, rivers and forests.

The 4.2 km walk on a wide sealed path runs parallel to the highway and is fully accessible and perfect for families who enjoy walking instead of driving. The path starts from the Punakaiki River and leads to the Truman Track. You will walk past the Pancake Rocks & Blowholes, the Visitor Centre & Punakaiki shops, Punakaiki Village, the local pub, the Pororari River, and a gorgeous Nikau grove.

Read Next – The Best Things to Do in Punakaiki.

Pororari River Track

Paparoa National Park is our favourite national park in New Zealand, featuring epic wilderness distinguished by ancient rainforests, geological formations, limestone cliffs, caves and dramatic coastlines. There are many walks ranging from short to multi-day walks.

The Paparoa National Park boasts one of New Zealand’s newest Great Walks, Paparoa Track and the famous Inland Pack Track. The 2-3 day challenging walks are among some of the best in New Zealand, where you can see untouched paradise, wild jungle and native birds.

The Pororari River Track is a shorter Punakaiki walk in the Paparoa National Park. The best thing about the easy walk is that for those with no time or inclination to do the Great Walks, the Pororari River Track is also part of the Paparoa Track (It is the exit point of the Great Walk).

It is a spectacular rainforest walk running alongside a river and showcasing the West Coast’s Jurassic landscapes, from dense rainforests to limestone escarpments to tranquil river pools with huge rocks, with absolutely stunning views at every turn.

The 7 km walk takes 1.5 hours. However, if you prefer shorter walks, you can walk for as long as you like and turn back whenever you want.

To get there, you will see a carpark from the highway, a few metres north of the Punakaiki Rocks Hotel, park your car and off you go.

All this walking making you hungry? Read next – Punakaiki Restaurants: Places to Eat Near Pancake Rocks

Punakaiki Cavern

Before you go, make sure to visit Punakaiki Cavern. If you’re short on time for our best Punakaiki walks, the Cavern is a great option for you. This short 130-meter walk takes only 5-10 minutes.

You climb down some stairs into a stunning Nikau grove. The cave entrance is cool! However, walk further inside, and you will see passages and nooks, young stalactites and glow worms. Make sure to bring a torch. Otherwise, you will not be able to see anything!

Read more about the Cavern, how to get there and what you will see in Punakaiki Cavern: Things to Know Before Visiting.

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