“The pancake rocks in Punakaiki are the most visited natural attraction on the West Coast with good reason. These ancient formations are a true wonder of nature - and they really do look like pancakes!”
It takes a while to make a pancake on the West Coast of New Zealand - 30 million years actually!
The Pancake Rocks at Dolomite Point near Punakaiki are a heavily eroded limestone area where the sea bursts through several vertical blowholes.
Part of the Paparoa National Park, the Pancake Rocks are accessed by the easy Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk right in the centre of Punakaiki. Allow 20-45 minutes to walk the whole track. The first part of the track is wheel chair accessible and offers some good interpretation panels to learn about the geology of the area.
Carry on and you will head up and down stairways cut into the rock faces and cross over a natural limestone bridge and Surge Pool. Trust us - your camera will get a full workout.
Along the way, there are some impressive blowholes. These are best viewed at high tide, check at the local Department of Conservation visitor centre for the times. Be ready, when they are pumping they provide a loud "whoosh" and can get you with some sea spray. Kids love them.
A must see on the West Coast.
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Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
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Wheelchair Accessible
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Credit Cards Accepted
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