Punakaiki

The Pancake Rocks are a rock formation in the Paparoa National Park on the South Island of New Zealand, 40 kilometers north of Greymouth. Located directly on the Tasman Sea, see the rocks look like stacked pancakes, which they got their name.

Formation

30 million years ago, stacked deposits of carbonate sediments and clay minerals, erode at different rates. Since these deposits were lifted by a land uplift to the surface and waves, wind and rain are exposed below the ablation progressing steadily. The water of the surf breaks on the numerous rock outcrops, caves and washouts and pushes back flowing water and by air flowing through narrow holes and tubes in the rock, which will be seen and heard by strong hiss in the air above the rocks as blowholes.

Access

A small, disabled -developed trail leads through these rock formations of different platforms, you have a direct view into the roaring and splashing surf holes. The information center of the Paparoa National Park is located right at the entrance area of ​​the Pancake Rocks. A parking area is located directly opposite the entrance to the pass leading State Highway 6