Why you should pay a visit to the Paparoa Nationwide Park this summer

Rugged coastal landscapes, outstanding birdlife and an easygoing and quintessentially New Zealand vibe certainly make a journey to the South Island’s West Coastline worthwhile.

Why go

Place of New Zealand’s most recent Terrific Walk, and one of the country’s most stunning natural phenomena, the 430 sq km Paparoa Nationwide Park is an necessary place when journeying down the West Coastline of the South Island.

Almost all readers get in the famed Pancake Rocks at Dolomite Place in the vicinity of Punakaiki, levels of limestone stacked like pancakes thanks to a pure weathering approach referred to as stylobedding. The nearby Punakaiki blowholes are ideal viewed around superior tide – tide timetables are posted at the nearby data centre. Short walks deliver access to a rugged coastline and other chances to check out contain in a kayak, or on a horse trek.

Over and above the obtainable coastal highlights about Punakaiki and the Pororari River, Paparoa Countrywide Park also features the 55km tramping or mountain biking experience of the Paparoa Observe, and the shorter two-working day 25km Inland Pack Keep track of, starting up at Punakaiki and ending to the north at the Fox River Bridge around Woodpecker Bay.

There are also options for a different going for walks route to try to remember the lives of the 29 adult men who died in 1 of the country’s worst mining tragedies in 2010.

When to go

The Paparoa Monitor is open up calendar year-spherical. River concentrations in the place can improve through spring, and it really is vital to look at at the Section of Conservation’s Paparoa National Park Customer Centre in Punakaiki, right before setting off. Influenced by warm ocean currents, the region’s weather can be astonishingly gentle, sunny and settled from summertime to early autumn.

What to do

The Paparoa Observe opened for business on March 1 this 12 months. Most trampers deal with the 55km route in a few times/two evenings, even though there is also an ever more well-known two-working day/a single-night time mountain biking adventure.

Commencing at the Smoke-ho carpark, all around 6km north of Blackball, the Good Stroll crosses the rugged Paparoa Array to conclude close to the coastline at the Pororari River on the northern outskirts of Punakaiki. En route, the track is well-marked and signposted, foremost members by way of uncovered alpine plateaux, karst limestone landscapes and dense stands of beech and ancient podocarp forests.

A very good degree of health is surely essential, as some sections are steep and tough, and the monitor can be muddy after soaked weather conditions. There is also the solution of a 4-working day tramp, keeping right away at the Ces Clark Hut soon after a shorter first day, and a superior alternative for families. See paparoagreatwalk.co.nz for a complete tutorial on strolling the Paparoa Track, together with organizing logistics and transportation particulars.

Also prepared for the park is the Pike 29 Memorial Monitor, an supplemental 11km spur which will detour southwest from the Paparoa Keep track of to the internet site of the Pike River Mine where 29 adult men had been tragically killed in 2010. It was the want of the miners’ families to have the mine site and encompassing area incorporated into Paparoa Countrywide Park, and the undertaking will also consist of a memorial and interpretation centre telling the story of the mine and the 2010 catastrophe. Because of to ongoing investigation of the mine site, an opening date for the Pike 29 Memorial Track is but to be verified.

Other shorter ordeals on the Paparoa Observe incorporate an overnight tramp from the northern trailhead close to Punakaiki to the Pororari Hut – a superior selection for 360-diploma escarpment views – and the Pororari River Keep track of, an less complicated 7km (90-minute) route using in the breathtaking limestone cliffs of the Pororari River Gorge. The Truman Keep track of is 15-minute coastal stroll, though 130m of caves with stalactites and glow worms can be explored in the Punakaiki Cavern, a short wander from SH6.

For the finest sights of the Pancake Rocks, embark on the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Wander, a 20-moment 1.1km spherical trip all-climate monitor that’s appropriate for wheelchairs for most of the route.

Other pursuits around Punakaiki and the Paparoa National Park include kayaking up the tranquil Pororari River – make contact with Punakaiki Canoes for kayak rental – and guided equine adventures up the Punakaiki Valley and together the beach front with Punakaiki Horse Treks.

Lodging

Accommodation together the Paparoa Keep track of is in three Section of Conservation (DOC) Wonderful Walks huts and campsites. All huts must be booked in progress on greatwalks.co.nz and there are no campsites. Selections for accommodation in Punakaiki, contain campsites and cabins at the Punakaiki Seaside Camp, and they can also reserve holiday properties all around the Punakaiki region. They can also guide with logistics for the Paparoa Track, which include trailhead transport and vehicle relocation services. See paparoagreatwalk.co.nz

Other recommended selections consist of the Punakaiki Seaside Hostel and Hydrangea Cottages’ assortment of self-contained cottages and vacation households. Choices assortment from the rustic Rimu cottage to the classy Seaside Takutai Property for family members and teams. Accommodation in Greymouth includes the vibrant and arty World wide Village Backpackers, with a large selection of dorms and non-public rooms.

Area

Located on the West Coastline of the South Island, between Greymouth and Westport, Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park are around 4 hours drive from Christchurch by means of Arthur’s Move and the Southern Alps. From Nelson, it is really a highway journey of all around three-and-a-50 % several hours.

Air New Zealand has flights from Christchurch to Hokitika (one hour south of Punakaiki). Air New Zealand also flies from Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch to Nelson. A different selection is to journey on the impressive TranzAlpine prepare journey linking Christchurch and Greymouth.

Gateway Town

Greymouth is a recommended larger sized foundation for checking out Paparoa Countrywide Park. Pre-tramping provides are finest secured at Countdown or New Earth, whilst Wild Outdoorsman sells out of doors gear.

Breakfast and espresso is greatest appreciated at the arty and longstanding DP1 Cafe, even though you can find beer tasting, brewery tours and hearty mains at Monteith’s West Coastline HQ. Group the fish and chips with local gurnard and a punchy Double Hopped IPA.

In the vicinity of the Paparoa Track’s commence position at the Smoke-ho carpark, the heritage village of Blackball features the vintage pub, dubbed Previously the Blackball Hilton to prevent litigation with a selected international resort brand, and top-quality salami, bacon and sausages at the Blackball Salami Co.

In Punakaiki, in close proximity to the trail’s end at the Pororari River, stacks of pancakes are available at the Pancake Rocks Cafe – obviously – and you can find a very good variety of accommodation and trailhead and transportation products and services.

Online

doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/west-coast/locations/paparoa-countrywide-park paparoagreatwalk.co.nz https://punakaiki.co.nz