Alternative activities in Punakaiki

Punakaiki has a wealth of things to do for all visitors but there are also some very cool options for those with more niche pastimes. Let us break down some of these options…

 

Surfing

Punakaiki, in front of the flood wall just down from the Pancake Rocks entrance, can be a beautiful spot for catching fun waves when the coast is small. Choose calm days with flat seas idyllic. Be aware, this is not the spot for beginners. Unique currents and rips pose significant hazards so do your research, go with a buddy and let someone know you’re out there.

 

If you’re basing yourself in Punakaiki but want some friendlier surf opportunities Cobden in Greymouth is worth a visit – just a 30 minute drive away and a great stop for tasty Fish and Chips. Home of the Kahuna Boardriders Club, this is a popular spot for all levels of surfer, though conditions vary.

 

Rock Climbing

Climbing on the West Coast? Climb with a view! Waikori road, situated along the Punakaiki River is more than just the exit point for bikers on the Paporoa Track or walkers on the Pororari-Punakaiki Loop. It also offers easy access to climbing crag Weka Wall and the recently developed Wētā Wall, a great stop for easy sport climbing, grades 11-18 in a comfortable setting. This unique setting is your own climbing version of the pancake-layered rocks which draw the crowds up the road.

There are several other more hidden crags along Waikori road which may involve a short scramble/bush-bash but offer great climbing from grades 15-17 (Pitapata Wall) and grades 18-25 (Knee Cow Wall, Ocean Wall, Air Traffic Controller) – just take an old toothbrush as some routes may need cleaning.

See ClimbNZ or The Crag more more info.

Just North, Bullock Creek is an amazing climbing destination with a total of 90 routes, a mix of Sport and trad climbs and multipitch-single pitch. While mostly moderate to harder grades 18 and above, there are some classic multipitches which allow mixed skill groups to share between pitches of 16-18. The views out to the Tasman Sea are supreme. The crags are situated at various points along Bullock Creek road, and most will take a bit of routefinding to get to, with the most easily accessible being Hanging Gardens.

30 minutes further North, in Charleston, is some of New Zealand’s finest trad climbing on good quality gneiss rock, located at Constant Bay. Beautiful climbing meets the atmospheric roar of ocean waves.

 

Fishing

Fishing is possible right from the beachfront steps away from the camp. Check the tide times as you’ll have the best luck around high tide. Nothing like a peaceful day by the ocean and maybe even a big fish to take back to the barbie. Be sure to check NZ fishing rules specific of the area.

 

Trail Running

Punakaiki is a great place for trail running. Through peaceful forest, the Paparoa track can be run as an out and back for pretty much as long as you want or have in a day. Shorter trails can easily be linked such as the Truman Track, the Pancake Rocks Loop, the Dolomite Point Lookout Track and the Te Korowai o Punangairi Walkway, or there’s also a number of amazing long loop options…

 

The Pororari-Punakaiki River Loop 11.5km

A stunning and easily runnable forest trail starting along the Pororari river before crossing through to the Punakaiki river side, coming out via Waikori road up through the Te Korowai o Punagairi Walkway and then past the Visitor Centre. 

 

Pororari to Bullock Creek via the Inland Pack Track 16km

Head up the Pororari through Nikau-plentiful forest until you come to the bridge for the Inland Pack Track. Taking this on your left you’ll head into new forest with a noticeable change in the flora (notice all the Rimu?) and the trail is a little more rugged. Be aware this can get quite muddy in places after heavy rain. Eventually you’ll come out via a long gravel road called Bullock Creek, picturesque in its own right for impressive limestone cliffs. At the end of this you’ll come out onto the main road, turn left to connect back to where you started.

 

Waikori Road to Bullock Creek via the Inland Pack Track 20.5km

Instead of starting from the Pororari River track you can start from the visitor centre or your accommodation at the camp, head through the Te Korowai o Punangairi Walkway (behind the visitor centre) then along to Waikori road until you reach the bikers side of the Paparoa track. Once you come to an intersection turn right and the bridge for the Inland pack track is not much further. Take this and again enjoy a change in forest until you come out onto the scenic gravel road of Bullock Creek. This eventually connects to the main road, where you can either head back to the visitor centre or settle back into your accommodation.

 

Backcountry hiking more your thing? – check out our Advanced Hiking section under the Walks and Trails page.

Whatever your style of adventure, there’s never any shortage of options here so don’t underestimate the amount of time you’ll want to spend!!