South Pacific
New Zealand
South Island
West Coast Region
Punakaiki
Things to Do in Punakaiki
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk, Punakaiki: Address, Phone Number, Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk Reviews: 4.5/5

See all things to do

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk

See all things to do
See all things to do
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk
4.5
2,394
#1 of 15 things to do in Punakaiki
Hiking Trails • Geologic Formations
Read more
Write a review
About
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Suggested duration
< 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk and nearby attractions

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
2,394 reviews
Excellent
1,696
Very good
587
Average
100
Poor
8
Terrible
3
wucie
Bern, Switzerland478 contributions
Well worth stopping
The eroded limestone rocks which make up this attraction are a real magnet, drawing visitors from far and wide. While I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to visit them, they do lie right beside the only road (Highway 6) down the west coast of the south island, so it’s definitely worth stopping (and even spending the night) if you’re passing through. Entrance is free too, plus there is a large parking, as well as a tasty/tasteful restaurant/gift shop right opposite.

It’s a leisurely 1.1 km clockwise loop along a paved, wheel/pushchair friendly path (though there is a section of steps with alternative route) with panels indicating the various blowholes and providing information on the area's fauna and flora. The views out to sea and down the coast are spectacular and the layered rocks are very photogenic. It’s open throughout daylight hours, so if you’re staying locally, you can go back to take even more scenic sunset shots. If you’re lucky you might also catch sight of native birds and marine mammals.

Tip: the blowholes are most active at high tide; the eponymous cafe serves good food and the Hydrangea Cottages just down the road are a great place to stay.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Gerda P
christchurch, New Zealand68 contributions
One of the most impressive sights of the South Island
This place is a must, the pancake rocks are an amazing feature and a feast for the eyes. The formation of rocks is highly unusual and very beautiful. Depending on high and low tide the bow hole is more or less active but always impressive. It's a free walk with many good viewing points and I love the fact that there is no entrance fee and you can stay as long as you like. Please do cover yourself u as there are sandflies and they bite. I would recommend wearing socks and closed shoes and cover arms, neck and shoulders as sandfly bites are nasty!
Written January 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Claire
6 contributions
Excellent day out
One out of the box: magnificent autumn day, clear blue sky and warm. Landscape and seascape breathtakingly beautiful and powerful.
An excellent job creating the walkway and plantings with excellent vantage points to view the rocks and blowholes. Loved all the Nikau palms in the area.
Finished off with a nice coffee from across the road.
Written July 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Simon D
Auckland, New Zealand645 contributions
West Coast 'must see' attraction
A fantastic part of the local landscape and seeing some of nature at the wild west coast at its best in my view. A short track out from the main road (SH6) to some amazing west coast scenery, rock formations, surge pool and blowhole. We were lucky to have timed our arrival at around full tide to see the effects of the waves and see the blowhole performing.
The track is walkable for most, although a couple of parts are steep stairs cut into rock so are not suitable for all.
Spend as much or as little time as you like, but easily doable within an hour. Watch for the sandflies!
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Found_Lost_Key
New Zealand1,242 contributions
Free attraction
A must do when in the area. Plenty of free parking for both cars and campervans/trailers. Toilets are behind the visitor centre. We heard a kiwi calling out behind the toilets while we were there. This is a free attraction. The blow holes are in full action at high tides. A nice walkway that provides multiple views and is wheelchair accessible to nearly all of the area.
A couple of shops nearby for food and drinks and souvenirs. We spent about 45 mins there with stops for photos etc.
Written May 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Noeline M
Christchurch, New Zealand1,047 contributions
A Must See Traveling Through the West Coast of South Island
AMAZING Pancake Rocks at Dolomite Point at Punakaiki, it is a limestone area with sea bursts through several vertical Blowholes, the history of this area is amazing .. The walkway through this area is amazing with great outlook views & information sites . You are looking out to the Tasman Sea . When walking around the walkway the weird shapes sculpted by sea & wind are something to be seen. It can be very cold out there so lots of warm cloths ( we were very lucky with the weather & it was a very warm hot day ) . It is a 40min scenic coastal drive from Greymouth with lots of area to pull over for viewing. This is a Must to See.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Shelley M
Albany, New Zealand448 contributions
See and hear the power of the ocean
Absolutely loved how this has been made so easy for people to safely look around. There is a parking lot off to the right (after cafe) which I could imagine getting very full when tourists are around. It was busy when we we there and its the middle of winter! Take care crossing the road and the access into the area is well sign posted and can have a stroller or wheelchair. Good information boards scattered around which were really interesting to read. You can hear the power of the ocean! The loop walk around is lovely but there are stairs also if you want to go a bit further. Beautiful place to see the magic of nature and hear the power of the ocean, the blow hole was really good. High tide would be the best time to get full benefit. The cafe over the road is nice for a drink afterwards too. Saw our first Weka here wandering around in the carpark. Allow at least an hour to wander around.
Written July 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
GaryandLesleyTravel
Auckland Central, New Zealand5,012 contributions
Incredibly weird rock formations
Couples
Just south of Westport these rock formations are definitely worth the stop. The rocks are great and the surging sea makes for a dramatic accomplice. The short walk from the road is easy with much of the path surround by native planting. #nzforfree

Written June 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Anita O
Mannheim, Germany583 contributions
Beautiful and So Special
I've seen a lot of impressive rock formations in my life and I find them fascinating. So why not stop at Punakaiki and have a look at what they have to offer there... That's what I thought on the way down south to Greymouth. Well, the Pancake Rocks are worth a stop. They are different from all the multi-layered rocks I had seen before. It was late in the afternoon when we arrived and it had been a rainy day. Not a bad precondition as there were no tour groups left... We spent only half an hour at Punakaiki as we had to go on. But I was glad that we had stopped.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
CoeliacAdventurer
Brampton, UK150 contributions
Visit at high tide
Lovely visit to these amazing rock formations! Beautiful sunny day, really great for seeing detail in the rock formations. And due to Covid, it wasn't even too busy! You can park up nearby, close to the DOC i-Site, and easily walk from there across the road to the rock formations. A short path takes you around the site and back in a loop. The path is mostly flat, but there are a few parts that are rocky underfoot, so may not be suitable for everyone.

I would recommend going at high tide or on a slightly stormy day to see the blowholes at their best. I went on a calm day, and while it was still good, it was clear that bigger seas make for a better experience!
Written June 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 1,971
Anything missing or inaccurate?
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Frequently Asked Questions about Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk
We recommend booking Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 4 Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk tours on Tripadvisor
Restaurants near Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk: View all restaurants near Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk on Tripadvisor