Paparoa National Park Pancake Rocks Guide, Wild West Coast

The Pancake Rocks are located in Punakaiki, a 30-minute drive north of the town of Greymouth on the west coast of the South Island, in Paparoa National Park. Not only does it have unique geological structures🪨, but it also has wild waves🌊. It is especially magnificent and shocking on windy and rainy days. It is a must-see attraction when passing through the west coast. The Pancake Rocks are the most famous landscape in Paparoa National Park, named after the eroded foliated rocks stacked up layer by layer. These wonderful rock formations were formed 30 million years ago when the remains of ancient marine organisms were deposited on the seabed and the calcareous parts of the remains accumulated over the years. Later, as the seabed rose above the sea level, it became a coastal rocky coast. After millions of years of erosion by rain, sea water, and wind, rock formations of various shapes were formed. There are a group of rock formations in the shape of human figures. Under the impact of the waves, the sea water gushes out through the "blowhole" formed by the cracks in the rocks, which is even more spectacular🌊🪨 Recently, the Paparoa National Park Visitor Center, a landmark building on the West Coast that took four years to build, was finally completed and opened to the public! The construction of the visitor center was led by the New Zealand Department of Conservation and supported by the Ngāti Waewae Maori tribe. Maori culture is incorporated into the design of the center, which is like a museum. Visitors can learn about Paparoa National Park's unique biodiversity and Maori cultural heritage through exhibits and interactive activities. How to get there (not by car): 📍Location: 4294 State Highway 6, Punakaiki 7873. It can be reached from the nearest town, Greymouth, which is about 40 kilometers away and can be reached in 30 minutes by car. ❗You can't get Uber or Didi in Greymouth. There are two ways to get around: bus or taxi. 🚌Buses are cheaper, book your tickets at Intercity or East West Coaches. But there are not buses every day, and there is only one bus per day. If you take the bus, be sure to plan your time well. 🚕Since there are not many taxis in Greymouth, you need to call to book a taxi. And it's expensive, costing up to NZ$130 one way. How to play: Mainly take the scenic trails: Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track. The trail is circular and can be walked in both directions. The tour takes 20 to 30 minutes. The safety measures on the trail are in place, with guardrails. Note: The weather in Punakaiki is very changeable, switching between sunny and rainy in a short period of time, and salty and wet rain will blow from the sea, so it is recommended to wear a hat or raincoat. The wind is strong and umbrellas are not suitable. Personally, I think the scenery is most stunning on windy and rainy days. Of course, people will not feel comfortable in such weather, so proper cold and water protection must be done. Then, just enjoy the magical nature and the surging sea.