Directions

Punakaiki Beach is directly accessible from the Coast Road (State Highway 6) between Greymouth and Westport. Rated by Lonely Planet as one of the top ten drives in the world, you will never forget this road for all the right reasons….make sure your memory card has plenty of room on it and your camera battery is charged.

Punakaiki Beach

Punakaiki is the gateway to the dramatic limestone country of the Paparoa National Park. There are many deserted unspoiled beaches...

here but the main beach where the camp ground and hotel are is Punakaiki Beach.

This is a beautiful walking beach.  In gentle conditions you can swim here and there are two surf breaks which the locals will be able to point you to.

Sea kayaking, and fishing on the beaches around Punakaiki is great – but do watch the weather and be careful if you’re rock fishing.

The Punakaiki township has a National Park i-SITE Visitor Centre, café and tearooms, craft shop and plenty of car parking. The surrounding area is scattered with accommodation – upmarket hotel apartments, boutique bed & breakfasts, self-catering motel units, a campervan and camping ground, and backpacker accommodation.

Tourism activities include canoe adventures, horse trekking, caving and guided tours to name just a few. Punakaiki has many colourful local crafts people – jewellers, carvers, painters and potters.

Within a few minutes drive of the Punakaiki township are many walks for various fitness levels – take a 10 minute stroll along the beach or equip yourself for a overnight trip into the heart of the National Park.

Caution:  Dogs are not welcome here as this is a National Park with highly endangered species in its boundaries e.g. the Westland Petrel (which inhabits a beach south of Punakaiki Village.)