Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track — Attraction in South Island

This is an absolutely stunning part of the West Coast of the South Island. It was my first time visiting the pancake rocks and blowholes in over 20 years, so I was taken aback by the beauty that I’d taken for granted as a child.

The walk is easy and is accessible* and there are many well positioned viewing spots that provide ample photo opportunities. The entrance to the walk is also conveniently located near a cafe and a souvenir shop for those locals or tourists who are looking for a good cup of coffee, or a keepsake to take home.

I would suggest setting aside plenty of time to allow yourself to enjoy all the the Punakaiki has to offer in terms of the many beautiful spots, (tracks, rivers and beaches) in the vicinity. Give yourself at least a couple of hours.

*by accessible, the walk is mostly flat and easy, and is almost suitable for prams and wheelchairs, however there is one small part of the loop track that has some narrow rocky stairs that would be impossible for prams and wheelchairs to go over. However, you can easily do one side of the track, then go back and do the other side, and still see all there is to see at...

About 35 million years ago, the present form of these rocks began with millions of tiny skeletons and shells falling to the bottom of the sea. The sand and mud that went from the land to the bottom of the sea created the pressure that would turn these remains into solution. For reasons still unclear, some minerals merged to form thin seams of mudstone between layers of limestone.

About 5 million years ago, these stones began to rise from the seafloor with the massive bending, rising, and falling of the land. This process continues today, pushing up the Southern Alps.

During the Last Interglacial Period, the pancake rocks were a beach covered at high tide. The bizarre-shaped buttresses of pancakes we see today are the result of weathering over the past 100,000 years. During this time, the land has been uplifted to its present-day position above sea level, and the pancake rocks largely stripped of beach sands and gravels that once covered them

The forces of sea and weather during the past 100,000 years have eroded the mudstone more than the limestone, enhancing the...

Breathtaking views of the Pancake Rocks and blowholes, with stunning vistas stretching out to the sea and inland toward the mountains. Absolutely spectacular on a sunny, blue-sky day!

The area is beautifully landscaped, and free of litter- clearly well cared for and thoughtfully planned with neat paved pathways as well as man made stone features that meld with the surrounding landscape. Truly impressive and highly recommend visiting!

Please also visit the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre just across the road from the main entrance- definitely recommended. It offers interesting insights into how the rock formations and blowholes were created- great for adding a bit of context to what you’re seeing.

The trail is mostly easy to walk and accessible, though there are some sections that may be challenging for those in wheelchairs or needing...