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New Zealand
> National Parks > Paparoa National
Park
By Jessica Lloyd
 Located on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island Paparoa National
Park extends from the Buller River in the north almost to Greymouth in the
south.
A Scientifically Significant Park
This park was established in 1987, and is an impressive (though small)
addition to the national park family of New Zealand. With 30,000 hectares of
unique bush, mountains, coasts and waterways, it is a very special place in
New Zealand. The park is often visited for tramping and hiking, caving, and
rock climbing, though it was also the first of the ‘scientific’ national
parks of Aotearoa. The borders were chosen with great care to include many
unique ecosystems. The Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Dolomite Point (near
Punakaiki) are a draw card for the park, and are famous. The Paparoa Range
is made of granite, and has been shaped by ice to create its rugged and
craggy appearance.
The Science
Paparoa’s karst landscape (irregularly formed limestone) is considered to be
scientifically significant because it has a virtually undisturbed forest
cover. This allows biological, chemical and physical processes to operate in
an entirely natural manner. It is the only extensive lowland karst in New
Zealand with these features, and has gorges, disappearing and reappearing
streams, caves, dolines (also known as sinkholes), a polje (a large, flat
floored enclosed depression bounded by steep sides) and areas of karren (a
small scale sculpture formed by water dissolving limestone).
Things to do in Paparoa National Park
Some of the most interesting and amazing landforms are found in Paparoa
National Park. For example the three blowholes at Dolomite Point, which are
at their finest during a south-westerly swell at high tide. Because
Limestone is the foundation of the park, there are huge cliffs and river
canyons, fragile caves, and the strange ‘pancake-stack’ set of rocks which
are a main attraction because they are just so bizarre. Dolomite Point has a
DOC visitors centre open every day bar Christmas Day, and it has a craft
shop and café.
Walking and Tramping
The two coastal walks available are easy. Pancake Rocks and Blowholes walk
is the most oft-travelled, and is suitable for families, taking just 20
minutes on a high grade track. Truman track is also an easy 30 minute walk
past some caves, down to the beach through forest and scrub. The Poraorari
River Track investigates an amazing limestone gorge and takes two to three
hours return. There is only one overnight track in the whole park, Inland
Pack Track, and this track was created in the days of the gold rush. There
are several tracks which lead from the coast into the wilderness, including
along the Punakaiki and Pororari Rivers. There are no tracks to the summits
of the Paparoa Ranges. Some tracks involve river crossings, so be sure to
check conditions before heading out. Snow never reaches the lower sections
of the park, but smothers the top.
Kayaking
Short and mild kayaking trips can be taken down the Pororari River, with
kayaks being hired locally (or bring your own). The paddling is easy, which
leaves plenty of your attention to take in the breath-taking scenery. You’ll
wish it would take longer!
Surfing
A favourite wild spot for good surf is just north of Paparoa National Park
near Westport. It has some of the best surf on the west coast.
Caving
Caving in Paparoa National Park has been done since the late 19th century,
though it hasn’t been until the 60’s that detailed knowledge of the caves
became available. This doesn’t mean there is nothing undiscovered; there
remain plenty of undiscovered sinkholes, streams and glow-worm grottos. The
entire area between the Tiropahi and Punakaiki Rivers is extremely rich in
shafts, caves, and dolines (sinkholes). It has great potential. There is 5km
(3 miles) of cave system called Xanadu, which is the most popular, and a
network of caves sits in the upper Bullock Creek gorge. One of the longest
systems in New Zealand is the Metro (or Aranui) caves, and stretches for 8km
(5 miles).
If you are not much of an underground adventurer but want to have a go, the
Punakaiki Cavern is right next to State Highway 6 and is a safe and easy
introduction to caving. All you will need is a torch and decent shoes.
Another public cave is Fox River Tourist Cave, which is an hour and a half
walk return, though leave time to explore. There are other caves which
require special entry permits and are only accessible if you have a guide.
Contact the visitors centre for information.
Wildlife
The tui, bellbird and kereru (New Zealand pigeon) are seasonal visitors and
migrate between inland forests and the coast. There is a titi (Westland
petrel) colony south of the Punakaiki River, and it is the only known area
in the world these birds nest. Though they live mostly out to sea, they can
be seen flying around at dusk and dawn. This park is also home to the
oft-heard-never-seen spotted kiwi; snuffling and a harsh whistling cry
announce its presence, though good luck trying to spot one. Because of the
different altitudes, many birds including parakeets, New Zealand pigeons,
and kakas migrate from lowland forests to the upland forests in summertime,
keeping their entire habitat within the bounds of the park.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
Westport, 55km away to the North of Punakaiki, and Greymouth, 43km to the
south, both have a good range of accommodation, food and drink plus all the
usual services and shops you would expect of small towns.
 Punakaiki Rocks Hotel & Villas Punakaiki -
Situated in Punakaiki between the beachfront and the hills of the Paparoa
National Park, just a stones throw away from the famous Punakaiki Rocks and
Blowholes, this property is placed on a bush clad hillside facing the sea.
Most rooms have views of the Tasman Sea or are nestled amongst native bush
and are linked by a series of suspended boardwalks through the native bush
and waterfalls. All rooms are equipped with luxurious facilities.
State Highway 6 Punakaiki
 Chelsea
Gateway Motor Lodge Westport is located five hundred meters from town centre. It is
also within easy walking distance to restaurants. Chelsea Gateway Motor Lodge
offers 20 units - studio, one and two bedroom. All units are non-smoking and
feature full kitchen facilities.
 Kingsgate
Hotel Greymouth - Kingsgate Hotel
Greymouth is central to just about everything and everywhere on the West
Coast. The hotel's facilities, in conjunction with the world-renowned Tranz
Alpine Train journey from Christchurch, make Greymouth the ideal get-away
location.The hotel provides 102 well furnished guestrooms, endowed by a host
of modern amenities. Rooms for disabled guests are available too. The hotel
also provides an ample parking space onsite.
32 Mawhera QuayGreymouth
There is a campground near Dolomite Point.
Natural History
Flora and fauna in the park is variable because the clime is mild, and the
ground fertile. Broadleaf flourishes near the coast, and glades of nikau
palms make it feel like you’re in the tropics, while rata trees tower above
the forest canopy. Inland, red and silver beech, along with rimu and
podocarp, make up the forests. It is known as the largest ecological system
of contiguous warm lowland coastal forest (and montane forest) remaining in
New Zealand. Because of the variety of soils and rocks here, the evolution
of the forest is unlike any other lowland area here. Western Paparoa Range
is of international value because of the plants and rare species which grow
here. It is suspected it was a refuge for plants during the ice age
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