Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai
https://www.doc.govt.nz/
https://www.doc.govt.nz/
Located in the West Coast region
Introduction
Luxuriant coastal forest, limestone cliffs and canyons, caves and underground streams, and an absolutely spectacular coastline, are all packed into one national park. The bizarre ‘pancake-stack’ coastal formations attract visitors to the area.Find things to do and places to stay
Paparoa National Park
advanced-tramping-track
camping
hut
caving
hunting
kayaking-and-canoeing
mountain-bike
commercial-operators
Walking and tramping
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Camping
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1 results for camping/campsites
Ballroom Overhang Campsite
Category:Backcountry
Access:Foot
Stay in a hut
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4 results for huts
Ces Clark Hut
Category:Great Walk
1 alert
Caving
Paparoa National Park offers caving for beginners and experienced cavers. The Punakaiki Cavern, right beside SH6, is a safe introduction to a cave environment; all you need is a torch and good footwear.
Other cave systems within the park, like the Metro/Te Ananui require special entry permits and are accessible to the public only by guided parties. Contact the visitor centre for more details.
Hunting
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1 results for hunting blocks
Paparoa Range West hunting
Species:Chamois, Deer - Red, Goats, Pigs
Kayaking and canoeing
You can kayak and canoe on the Pororari River.
Mountain biking
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3 results for mountain biking tracks
Paparoa Track
Duration:2 days one way
Difficulty:Advanced
2 alerts
Paparoa Track: Pororari Hut Track
Duration:2 hr 30 min - 3 hr 30 min one way
Difficulty:Advanced
1 alert
Pike29 Memorial Track
Duration:3 hr 30 min-4 hr uphill | 1-2 hr downhill
Difficulty:Advanced
1 alert
Transport
EasyHike Ltd
Car relocation and shuttle services for hikers on the Milford, Routeburn, Kepler, Rees-Dart and Greenstone Caples tracks. Car relocation uses a secure lockbox system. Drive to the track and secure your keys using a supplied lockbox.
Services: Transport
Adventure South
Guided mountain biking and walking across New Zealand.
Activities: Mountain biking; Walking and tramping
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Guided activities and tours
New Zealand Single Track Adventures Ltd: Concessionaires
Guided multi-day mountain biking throughout the South Island
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Guided activities and tours
ANZ Nature Tours HTG Limited
Guided walking on Conforming tracks for Nelson, Marlborough, West Coast, Otago, Fiordland
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Bespoke Kiwi Ltd
Guided walking and hiking tours
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Mercury Travel Group Limited: Concessionaires
Guided Walking at selected tracks nationwide.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Tamarillo Active Travel
Guided day walks in West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, Fiordland and Rakiura areas.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
The Conqueror Adventures
Guided walks in the West Coast, Canterbury, Otago, and Fiordland areas.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
CJ & M J Holiday Limited
Guided walks in the West Coast, Canterbury, Fiordland and Otago
Website: www.hitravel.co.nz
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Kea Journeys
Guiding on conforming tracks throughout the South Island.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Kims Coach Limited
Short guided walks in association with coach tours at popular locations in the South Island.
+64 22 023 0246
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Terra Nova Tours Ltd
Guided day walking activity throughout New Zealand including the Queen Charlotte Track and Abel Tasman National Park.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
The Real New Zealand Limited
Guided multi-day tours around New Zealand.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Active Adventures
Guided, small group hiking tours travelling between national parks for overnight and 2-night hikes. Trip may also include soaking in hotpools, mountain biking, kayaking and caving.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
The Road Trip
Short guided walks in the South Island.
Services: Guided activities and tours
Flying Kiwi Wilderness Expeditions
Guided activities as part of adventure tours in the North and South Islands.
Activities: Kayaking and canoeing; Mountain biking; Skiing and ski touring
Services: Guided activities and tours
Limousine South NZ Limited
Conforming tracks for multiple locations in the South Island.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Wildsouth Discovery Limited
Guided walking and nature interpretation at multiple locations throughout the South Island.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Adventure South
Guided mountain biking and walking across New Zealand.
Activities: Mountain biking; Walking and tramping
Services: Transport; Guided activities and tours
Tuatara Tours NZ
Guided walking and cycling as part of tours within New Zealand.
Activities: Mountain biking
Services: Guided activities and tours
Exclusive Tourism Services Ltd
Guided Walking and four wheel driving expeditions around the South Island.
Activities: Four wheel driving; Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Classic Tours and Regalwood Limousines Limited
Guiding walking on selected tracks in Canterbury, Fiordland, Otago and West Coast.
Activities: Walking and tramping
Services: Guided activities and tours
Paparoa National Park is located in the northern part of the South Island's West Coast. The park is located alongside the very scenic SH6, between the towns of Westport, 55 km to the north of Punakaiki, and Greymouth 43 km to the south.
Intercity buses have a regular service to the area. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is at Westport 55 km to the north.
There is no petrol station in Punakaiki, so remember to fuel up your vehicle in either Westport or Greymouth.
The climate at Paparoa National Park is basically temperate and in winter snow never reaches the lower portions of the park.
However, some tracks may involve river crossings so it is essential to check for the latest river conditions before starting your walk.
Much of the inland country within the park is wild and untracked, with the added danger of hidden holes and caverns. If you are going to be using the track system in the park for overnight trips make sure you are properly equipped and well prepared, and keep to the tracks.
Weather forecast
Check the weather and contact the visitor centre for the latest information on track conditions.
All drone use must be authorised by DOC
You must have a permit to fly a drone on public conservation land.
Visit our Drone use on conservation land page for more information.
Established in 1987, Paparoa National Park is perhaps most famous for the Pancake Rocks and blowholes of Dolomite Point, near the little settlement of Punakaiki.
The Paparoa Range forms an impressive backdrop to the park; made of ancient granite which has been slowly shaped by ice into its present rugged outline.
Limestone underlies most of the park and it is responsible for the area's amazing landforms - high coastal cliffs, impressive river canyons, delicate cave formations and the bizarre ‘pancake-stack’ coastal formations that the area is so well known for.
The three blowholes at Dolomite Point put on their best performance during a south-westerly swell at high tide.
Vegetation within the park is wide and varied, due to the mild climate and high fertility. Near the coast, broadleaf forest dominates, with glades of exotic-looking nikau palms giving a subtropical feel. Large rata trees emerge above the forest canopy. Inland, the forest is made up of hard, red and silver beech, mixed with rimu and other podocarps.
Forest birds such as tui, bellbird/korimako and kereru/New Zealand pigeon migrate seasonally between coastal and upland forests.
The Westland petrel/titi colony south of the Punakaiki River is the only known place in the world where these burrowing seabirds breed. The birds live mostly out at sea, but during the breeding season you can see them flying to and from the colony at dusk and dawn.
The nocturnal and secretive great spotted kiwi/roroa is not often seen, but listen for a loud snuffling or a harsh whistling cry and you'll know one is close by.