Directions

The pancake rocks and blowholes are at Dolomite Point, Punakaiki. Punakaiki lies on State Highway 6 between Westport (50 minutes) and Greymouth (40 minutes). The entrance to the Dolomite Point walkway is located opposite the Paparoa National Park Visitors Centre and I-site.
This walk is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The track is wheelchair accessible.

Pancake Rocks & Blowholes

Dolomite Point is a must see of things to do on the West Coast. This short walk takes you around the famous pancake rocks and blowholes.

On a clear day the views are stunning up and down the coastline and you may see local Hectors dolphins playing at the base of the cliffs. When the weather is stormy and the seas are high, the blowholes show off their name as the water surges up through the rock and out into the air creating a spectacular show.

This remarkable concentration of sculptured limestone at Dolomite Point has long been one of the West Coast’s best-known tourist attractions, famous for its blowholes and the Pancake Rocks. While the blowholes are only at high tide during rough seas It is well worth a visit in all weather for the stunning views along the coast line and the unique pancake rocks.

The track entrance is opposite the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre and I-site. It is a short 20 minute loop track suitable for wheelchairs and buggies.

The walk begins in native rainforest showing off the nikau palms, New Zealand’s only native palm tree, and then moves through dense flax as you get closer to the blowholes.

You will soon start to see the ‘Pancake Rocks’. These are peculiar rock formations with limestone layered like a stack of thin pancakes and forming huge columns. The rocks were formed 30 million years ago by intense pressure on alternating hard and soft layers of marine creatures and plant sediments.

The first blowhole is the Sudden Sound Blowhole named for the noise it makes when the sea surges through.

The walk then continues to a junction where the track divides to loop around the blowholes and the pancake rocks. If you need wheelchair access turn right at this point and take the path around the other side of the surge pool

The surge pool is called the Devil’s Cauldron and at high tide it lives up to its name as the waves gush in from the sea channel and break against the rock sides of the ‘cauldron’, getting bigger and higher as the tides rise. After this it is across the bridge to the Chimney Pot Blowhole which is named for the seawater that shoots through the air like smoke from the narrow rock channel. Next is Putai – the largest blowhole – where on stormy days the seawater swells upwards from the rocks in a giant wall of spray. 

The view from here up and down the rugged coastline is spectacular. On clear, still days the views north (to Perpendicular Point) and south (as far as Mt Cook) are magnificent and below there are often Hectors dolphins playing at the base of the cliffs. At high tide during stormy weather the atmosphere is very different with the seawater forced into the holes and cracks and then erupting out in explosions of spray and mist, the display is unforgettable.

The track then goes down some rock steps and around the surge pool where it meets up with the other path. The way back is just as scenic as the way in and the views of the Paparoa ranges and the rainforest seem very lush after the open seascape views. You may see weka darting amongst the trees; these cheeky birds are iconic locals in this area.

There are good information signs at many of the look out points.

Take care to stay on the path as it is dangerous to stray away from it. 

Plan and prepare

Because the return track suddenly emerges on the highway make sure children are not running ahead. A lifebelt near Sudden Sound Blowhole reminds us it is very dangerous to stray from the track and to take special care of children keep to the formed path and do not go beyond safety barriers.

Dogs and other domestic animals are not permitted in this area.

What to expect on a short walk:

• Easy walking for up to an hour
• Track is well formed, with an even surface. There may be steps or slopes
• Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness
• Stream and river crossings are bridged
• Walking shoes required