10 Best Things to Do in Paparoa National Park

1. See the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes

The most popular attraction in the Paparoa National Park, without a doubt, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes are the easiest coastal feature to get to in the national park.

On the roadside of the state highway, the strangely stacked limestone rocks can be seen on a sealed 20-minute loop walkway.

Visit at high tide to see the best displays of the blowholes.

Check out more walks like this in the 20 Best Short Walks on the South Island.

Location: Along State Highway 6 opposite the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre, Punakaiki.

© NZPocketGuide.com

2. Hike or Mountain Bike the Paparoa Track Great Walk

One of the acclaimed New Zealand Great Walks, the Paparoa Track is an immersive way to experience the Paparoa National Park.

The three-day one-way hike traverses over the Paparoa Range taking hikers through a mix of lush rainforest, open alpine tops and all sorts of limestone karst formations.

The trail is also open to mountain bikers. Plan your multi-day hike or cycle journey using The Complete Guide to the Paparoa Track.

Location: The track can be started from either the Smoke-ho car park at the end of Blackball Road, 8 km (5 mi) from Blackball, the Pororari River Track car park on State Highway 6, 1.2 km (0.7 mi) north of Punakaiki, or the Waikori Road car park on State Highway 6, 2.4 km (1.5 mi) south of Punakaiki.

© Stewart Nimmo - westcoast.co.nz

3. Walk the Pororari River Track

… Or should we say “tracks” as you have multiple walking options to make your journey along the Pororari River as short or long as you like.

The Pororari River Track is one of Paparoa National Park‘s most beautiful short walks. Stroll alongside the limestone gorge topped with verdant nikau palms and dense subtropical rainforest on this gentle 1-hour one-way track.

The striking contrast of turquoise river against dramatic cliffs makes it feel like a scene out of Jurassic Park. Keep an eye out for curious weka along the way!

For a longer adventure, continue on the Punakaiki – Pororari Loop (3 hours) or Pororari River – Bullock Creek Road (5-6 hours).

Location: Pororari River Bridge car park, Punakaiki.

© westcoast.co.nz

4. Explore the Punakaiki Cavern

While most tourists flock to the Pancake Rocks, only those in the know explore this hidden gem just minutes away. The Punakaiki Cavern offers a quick and family-friendly underground adventure.

A short path and wooden staircase lead you into this small limestone cave, where stalactites and other formations glisten in torchlight. With luck, you might even spot glowworms clinging to the dark ceilings.

Remember to bring a flashlight or headlamp, especially if you want to venture deeper. While the cavern is small and won’t take long to explore, it’s a perfect add-on to your Pancake Rocks visit.

Best of all, it’s free, less crowded than other attractions, and gives you a taste of Paparoa’s hidden underground world without needing special gear or caving experience.

Location: State Highway 6, Punakaiki, West Coast, South Island. Adjacent to the main road, minutes from the Pancake Rocks.

© NZPocketGuide.com

5. Experience a Paparoa Beach on a Horse Wagon

With the mountains of the Paparoa National Park ever-present on your journey, you’ll find a unique way to experience the scenery of Paparoa on a horse-drawn wagon ride.

Swap hiking boots for a seat in a carriage pulled by majestic Clydesdale horses as you roll along the rugged coastline.

The slow pace allows you to soak in the dramatic landscape of black-sand beaches, limestone cliffs and lush rainforest while your guide shares insights into the area’s rich natural and cultural history.

Depending on the tide, you might pass sea caves, rock pools and driftwood-strewn shores with the Tasman Sea providing a constant soundtrack. This family-friendly experience is suitable for all ages.

Location: 3456 Coast Road (State Highway 6), Barrytown.

© Nimmo Photography - westcoast.co.nz

6. Rent a Kayak to Paddle on the Pororari River

Aside from walking alongside this spellbinding river in the Paparoa National Park, there’s the option to paddle the river in a kayak. Starting from Punakaiki, you can rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and glide upriver into a lush limestone gorge surrounded by rainforest.

The calm, slow-flowing waters make it accessible for beginners, yet the scenery, towering cliffs, nikau palms, and birds echoing from the bush, feels like an adventure deep into the wild.

Those seeking more adventure can continue further upstream, where the river narrows and becomes even more dramatic. Keep an eye out for weka along the banks and native fish darting below your kayak.

Most people spend one to two hours exploring, but you can paddle as far as you like. Kayak hire is available with Punakaiki Canoes.

Location: By the Pororari River and Bridge car park, Punakaiki.

© Stewart Nimmo - westcoast.co.nz

7. Experience Cave Tubing Under Glowworms

You’ve likely heard about tubing in the glowworm caves at Waitomo but did you know you can find a similar experience in the Paparoa National Park?! For a true West Coast adventure, cave tubing (also called blackwater rafting) with Underworld Adventures is hard to beat.

Outfitted with a wetsuit, helmet, and sturdy inner tube, you’ll float through underground limestone caves where thousands of glowworms light up the ceilings like a starry night sky.

Guides lead you through a mix of walking, climbing, and drifting down gentle subterranean streams, sharing stories about the geology and ecology along the way.

Even getting there is an adventure as you take a train through the landscapes of the Nile River into the heart of the Paparoa National Park.

Location: State Highway 6, Charleston.

© NZPocketGuide.com

8. Go on a Petrel Colony Tour

Discover some of Paparoa National Park’s mesmerising wildlife on an experience with Petrel Colony Tours. From April to November, guided tours take you to the world’s only accessible breeding colony of Westland petrels near Punakaiki.

Watch these impressive seabirds return from the Tasman Sea at dusk to feed their chicks, a rare opportunity to witness the intimate life of this unique species.

The tour offers fascinating insights into petrel behaviour, conservation challenges, and their coastal forest habitat. As hundreds of petrels wheel overhead against the setting sun, the atmosphere is truly magical. Note that there are no card facilities on-site.

Location: 3770 Coast Road (State Highway 6), Punakaiki

© NZPocketGuide.com

9. Admire the Coastline on the Truman Track

An easy walk on your way in or out of Punakaiki, the Truman Track is a short but spectacular journey that packs in a huge variety of scenery. The well-formed trail leads you through lush podocarp and subtropical rainforest before opening suddenly onto a dramatic section of coastline.

At the end, you’ll find a wild beach with sculpted limestone cliffs, caves, blowholes and a waterfall tumbling straight onto the sand.

At low tide, explore the rock platforms and tidal pools teeming with marine life. High tide brings crashing waves and spray, adding extra drama to the scene.

This 30-minute return walk is a must-do, especially if you’re short on time but want to experience the best of Paparoa’s coast.

Location: State Highway 6, approximately 3 km (1.9 miles) from Punakaiki.

© BareKiwi - westcoast.co.nz

10. Check Out the Huge Limestone Overhang on the Ballroom Overhang Track

For those seeking a slightly longer adventure, the Ballroom Overhang Track delivers both rainforest and geology at its finest.

This 4-6 hour return hike follows the Inland Pack Track through lush forest, river crossings, and limestone canyons before arriving at the Ballroom Overhang, a massive limestone shelter created by erosion over thousands of years.

The cavernous overhang is big enough to camp beneath, making it a popular spot for trampers who want to spend the night under a natural rock roof.

The journey is just as rewarding as the destination, with mossy forest, birdlife, and clear rivers to wade through, so be prepared to get your feet wet!

Location: Fox River Bridge car park, approximately 12 km (7.5 miles) north of Punakaiki.

© R Rossiter - Department of Conservation