Directions

From the main road (SH6) 1km south of Punakaiki, follow the gravel road to an area where you can park your car. Look for signs for the beginning of the track.

Inland Pack Track

The Inland Pack Track was created in the mid 1800's for gold miners to move through the area.

It is recommended you take two days to walk it, starting at the southern end of the track nearest Punakaiki, and walking north towards Fox River.

There are no huts along the 25km track, and it is recommended that you take a tent and stay overnight in the Ballroom Overhang, where there is shelter from the worst the weather can throw at you. There are many river crossings along the Inland Pack Track, so a fine weather forecast is a must. New Zealand bush rivers and streams can rise very quickly following rainfall, and a swollen river should never be crossed.

Punakaiki River to Bullock Creek
From the main road (SH6) 1km south of Punakaiki, follow the gravel road to an area where you can park your car. Look for signs for the beginning of the track.

The first section is an easy grade and well formed. The Inland Pack Track intersects with the Pororari River Track and crosses the Pororari River (up to waist deep) continuing north towards Bullock Creek. The track passes through the Bullock Creek Farm (maintained by the department of Conservation), and passes the end of the Bullock Creek Road and carpark, and crosses the Bullock Creek River.

In the Bullock Creek area is the start of other local walks including Cave Creek (55 minutes return) and Mount Bovis. There are numerous tomos (vertical shafts), chasms and sinkholes hidden amongst the vegetation, with the area being underlain by literally kilometres of intricate cave systems. If you're going to leave the track you need to be confident that you're following a well-worn path, and it's best that you don't go on your own.

Bullock Creek to Ballroom Overhang
The second section of the Inland Pack Track continues on towards Fossil Creek and enters the Dilemma Creek Gorge, where there are many river crossings. This is the nicest part of the track as you follow a clear stream through a forested limestone canyon.

When you reach the Fox River/Dilemma Creek junction, follow Fox River east and upstream for 30 minutes until you reach the Ballroom Overhang and shelter for the night. Food should be secured, away from the local possums and rats.

While at the Ballroom take a walk up Welsh Creek, which flows into the Fox River just downstream of the Ballroom. After crossing Welsh Creek via a large fallen tree, follow the slippery bedrock upstream for about 10 minutes, whereupon you'll find the creek emerging from a cave.

Ballroom Overhang to Fox River Mouth
From the Ballroom Overhang, the Inland Pack Track follows the Fox River downstream heading west towards the coast.

Take in the Fox River Tourist Cave on the way out – a torch is a must in this amazing limestone cave.

The track follows the Fox River valley with a couple of river crossings required before reaching the carpark and the main coastal highway (SH6). It is an easy grade walk out through the valley and along the flat river bed.

Arrangements can be made with local businesses to pick you up from Fox River to return to Punakaiki via road.