Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Other tramps in the national park are detailed in the DOC
Paparoa National Park
pamphlet ($1), and include the
Inland Pack Track
(two to three days), a route established
by miners in 1866 to bypass difficult coastal terrain.
As many of Paparoa's inland walks are susceptible to river flooding it is vital that you
obtain updates from the DOC visitor centre (
Click here
)
in Punakaiki before you depart.
Punakaiki Canoes
KAYAKING
( 03-731 1870;
www.riverkayaking.co.nz
;
SH6; canoe hire 2hr/full day $40/60, family rates avail-
able)
This outfit rents canoes near the Pororari River bridge, for gentle, super-scenic pad-
dling for all abilities.
Punakaiki Horse Treks
HORSE RIDING
( 03-731 1839;
www.pancake-rocks.co.nz
;
SH6; 3hr ride $160; Nov-May)
Punakaiki Horse
Treks, based at Hydrangea Cottages, conducts equine outings in the Punakaiki Valley,
with river crossings, finishing at the beach.
Sleeping & Eating
There's good news and bad news. The good news is that there's ample accommodation in
Punakaiki. The bad news is that there's no grocery shop or petrol, and that the sole cafe
may well fail to please. The tavern down the road, however, remains a consistently good
performer. Keep it up, Team Pub!
Punakaiki Beach Hostel
HOSTEL $
( 03-731 1852;
www.punakaikibeachhostel.co.nz
;
4 Webb St; campsites per person $20, dm/s/d
$28/54/75; )
A laid-back hostel with a sea-view verandah, just a short walk from
Pancake Rocks. Co-operative owners have been-there-done-that and know exactly what
you want: a clean hostel with good beds, great communal facilities, and staff who smile
because they mean it. The cutesy, virtually-on-the-beach Sunset Cottage ($115) is well
worth a splurge.
Punakaiki Beach Camp
HOLIDAY PARK $
( 03-731 1894;
www.punakaikibeachcamp.co.nz
; 5 Owen St; campsites per person powered/un-
powered $20/17, d $48-92; )
With a backdrop of sheer cliffs, this salty, beachside park
with good grass is studded with clean, old-style cabins and shipshape amenities. A clas-
sic Kiwi coastal campground.
Te Nikau Retreat
HOSTEL $
