What to know before you get here

Hindsight is 20/20 they say – better than hindsight is if you know what you need to know before it becomes important – that’s where we can help. Read on for local insights…

No Supermarkets

If you need groceries be sure to get them before your arrival as there are no supermarkets in Punakaiki, however for urgent supplies the Punakaiki Beach Camp has a small shop with some basics such as frozen bread, UHT milk, ice and a few other essentials. The closest supermarkets South of Punakaiki are in Greymouth (40 minutes away) and North of Punakaiki are in Westport (50 minutes). Grab what you need before you go or stock up in these centres on your way.

No Petrol

Much like supermarkets there are no petrol stations in Punakaiki so be sure to plan your journey to allow you to have enough fuel to get to your destination and beyond. Greymouth or Westport are your closest options. There is 100km between Greymouth and Westport (with Punakaiki in between). Have an Electric Vehicle? There is a chargenet charger in both Greymouth and Westport (check the app to ensure they are operational) and Punakaiki has a new Zero Charger which requires another app. If you’re traveling via Christchurch with no car check out the East to West Shuttle which leaves Christchurch at 2pm and can get you to Punakaiki direct.

The water is safe to drink!

Water at the Punakaiki Beach Camp is safe to drink and the local Visitor Centre, Punangairi, has a water filling station where you can fill your drink bottles. No need to contribute to the world’s oversupply of plastics!

The weather can change quickly

Punakaiki has a temperate climate with mild temperatures, however, as with anywhere in New Zealand it’s wise to have clothing options/layers for all kinds of weather – what might start as a sunny day can surprise you with rain showers or what starts out stormy can suddenly clear up to a beautiful day. It’s also a good reason not to get too hung up on that weather report – that rain predicted may only be brief! Check somewhere like Metvuw for the bigger picture.

There are a small availability of eateries

There are a few cafes or pub restaurants in the area as well as the Beach Camp Coffee Cart (mornings) and Pete’s Pattie Palace. The Visitor Centre has its own spacious Cafe area nestled in the Nikau palms. Further afield there are options in Charleston (30 mins North) and Greymouth or Westport.

Paid Parking at the Visitor Centre/Pancake Rocks

If you are stopping for longer than 20 minutes, there is a fee of $5 per hour or $20 per day to park outside the Visitor Centre or Pancake Rocks, which can be paid by credit or debit plus card. Another option is to check into your accommodation first then walk up – all but one of our accommodation options are walkable to the Pancake Rocks/Visitor Centre and all of the local walks.

We hope these tips help make your logistics simple so you can focus on the fun stuff!