006 Pancake Rocks

February 2, 2021 

We woke late this morning to birdsong and the screech and clack of cicadas in a haze of as-yet unburnt-off mist. But the sun was strong and already hot and promising another stunning day. A cart had drawn up alongside the vans and was selling huge pancakes so we decided to have one and split it between us. Yum, and so appropriate for where we were heading next...Punakaiki, the Pancake Rocks.

"The rocks are our ancestors, my dear, they are the first", someone wrote, "from them, all the myriad forms have generated." And so it seemed after our drive to Dolomite Point on the edge of Paparoa National Park. Here we found the world-class, world-famous, brilliantly presented Punakaiki Rocks and blowholes. Puna means a spring (blowholes); kaiki means to be put in a heap (pancake rocks). They were formed over 30 million years ago, bizarre pancake stacked coastal formations sitting on the shoreline of the Tasman Sea. They are constantly eroding, forming canyons, caves, and underground streams.

We really enjoyed our loop walk through bush and groves of Nikau palms out to spectacular viewing platforms. Oh boy, it sure has been well thought out. We had a cuppa at a handy cafe and watched seagulls lurking about hoping for a little 'something' before the proprietor chased them away.

From there it was a straight run through bushland, up and down hills and alongside the sea to Greymouth, the largest town on the west coast. The last time I was here there had been a storm and the Grey River was in quite terrifying flood. But not today! Peaceful, blue and completely benign.

We've found a super little free camp only about 1 km from the town and right beside the river.
Blowhole at Punakaiki

Main entrance


Nikau Palms

Pancake Rock

View out over the rocks


Greymouth

Comments

  1. Anita17 March 2021 at 01:50

    Pancake rocks has been on my 'wish to visit' list since I heard their name. Thanks for taking me there in the meantime.

    ReplyDelete

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