Staying in Punakaiki brought many places to marvel on. It was Day 15 and from Te Nikau Mountain Retreat, we were heading down south to Franz Josef.
One of the places on the way was Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Dolomite Point. It lies visibly on the fringe of Punakaiki on coastal state highway 6. Pancake Rocks and Blowholes is the entry point to the limestone country of Paparoa National Park.
It was raining that morning when we left. We pulled over and parked the car as soon as we saw the sign. It appeared to be an all-weather activity. We spotted many cars parked out front. It is one of the most visited sites in Punakaiki due to its spectacular view.
It is free entry. The scenic walk around the limestone formation takes around 20 minutes. Allow 1 hour duration for the visit. It's a 1.1 kilometer loop with an easy self guided walking track that could accommodate wheelchairs.
A feast for the eyes. Pancake rocks were wonderfully sculpted by mother nature for 30 million years. They were made up fragments of dead marine creatures and plants that settled on the sea bed which were then covered with mud and soft clay. Strong water pressure solidified them all. Gradual earthquakes played a role by lifting the sea bed to rise above the sea level, while the wind, rain and sea water applied its final touches to etch the intricate layers.
The limestone cliffs looked like stacks of pancakes. The ocean tide was high that morning. Captivating blowholes unleashing impressive water surges made spectators scream with awe. It was mind blowing. My parents-in-law were equally amazed by this phenomenal display of water blasting towards the sky whenever the sea crashes against the coast. We were all thrilled to watch.
This attraction is great for the family. However, make sure to keep an eye on children at all times to keep away from crossing the side barriers. The track runs along deep ravines so it's extremely dangerous to stray from the track.
It's definitely worthy to visit and a must -see while traveling on the west coast of New Zealand. In case you'd like to see the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes walk in live action, click Hiking Overload -Punakaiki travel video.
To be continued..