Punakaiki, West Coast New Zealand

A drive of 45 mins will take you to Punakaiki's famous pancake rocks and blowholes. Be sure to be there at high tide to catch the blowholes in action. On site is a crafts/gift shop and cafes with great coffee and food. For a background to the land formation of the area, visit the local DOC Information centre and view their impressive display.

Your drive to Punakaiki takes you through Charleston, once a booming gold rush town. If you have time available, explore around the edge of Constance Bay, a beautiful and dramatic area.

After Charleston the road continues briefly away from the coast and then drops down to the sea and follows the coast all the way to Greymouth: the renowned coast road with its spectacular scenery.

Don't miss Truman's Track, just before you reach Punakaiki, where a wonderful little rain forest walk takes you down to the beach. At low tide you can see natures's impressive sandstone sculptures. A great compensation when your timing for the blowholes hasn't worked out!!