Activities in Paparoa National Park
Tracks and walks
There are two easy, coastal walks available; the most popular is the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes walk, suitable for families (20 minutes return), the other is the Truman Track (30 minutes return).
Longer walks include the Pororari River Track which follows a spectacular limestone gorge (2 hours return) The only overnight walk in the park is the Inland Pack Track (2 - 3 days) which dates back to gold rush days.
For more details see the Walks in the Punakaiki Area brochure.
Other activities
Guided walks, kayaking, horse treks, fishing, surfing, birdwatching and caving are some of the activities available in the area.
Caving
Paparoa National Park offers caving for beginners and experienced cavers. The Punakaiki Cavern, right beside SH6, is a safe introduction to a cave environment; all you need is a torch and good footwear.
Fox River Tourist Cave (1hr 15mins, 3.7km one way - allow 30 minutes extra to explore the cave) is also open to the public.
Other cave systems within the park, like the Metro/Te Ananui require special entry permits and are accessible to the public only by guided parties. Contact the visitor centre for more details.
Contact the Paparoa national Park i-SITE Visitor Centre for more details on what to see and do in the area.