Fri, 27th Mar, 2026 (part1) McMillan Road self-contained camp, near Punakaiki to Kawatiri Beach Reserve, Westport, NZ (Pancake Rocks)

17 degrees and the rain came back in the early hours. The wind is back too bringing a heavier shower while we had breakfast.

Only one camper has moved out of the 11 here! We read till morning tea hoping the weather would improve. Another camper moved on.

Had a cuppa - still windy with showers of rain so we decided we may as well keep going.

Up the hill then around a tight curve of a hill as we look over Punakaiki River.

Right turn along to a limestone wall which is used for rock climbing.

Continued down the road by the river to a suspension bridge. We skipped the walk over it as we have done lots now and it is still a bit misty.

Back to the picnic area and read the information about the Maori stories and the Inland Pack Track of 1867 and other walking/biking tracks through this area - Paporoa Range.

Back to the few houses of Punakaiki and over the river then views of the wild Tasman Sea.

Up the hill where the wind is off the mountains again then passed the sign Dolomite Point Blowholes & Pancake Rocks. There is paid parking by the big information centre. It is cold, windy and wet still we decided to continue down the hill to the start of Punakaiki Beach. The beach has been lined with big rocks to protect the road from the wild water. Massive bluffs on the other side of the road and lots of palms.

Sat in the camper as another heavy shower of rain fell and watched the waves crash onto the beach. Views south back to Pancake Rocks area then north to more rocky outcrops.

The blowhole is probably doing great with all this wind and coming off the 6am high tide.

Shame about the weather but still enjoying the scenery - wild west coast but I think it would be very spectacular on a fine clear day.

The rain has eased so we headed across the road to check out a cavern in the Paporoa National Park. Very impressive - should have taken a torch to see further back.

Back to the camper to have lunch. A bit clearer now.

Decided to chance the weather and drove back up the hill to the Pancake Rocks area. Steve dropped me off to do the walk - he decided to relax back by the beach.

Headed off in my wet weather gear. Lovely nature walk and amazing rock views.

Unfortunately the blowhole wasn’t blowing.

Continued along the path. 

I think this is the same spot I took a photo of Kerri & Debbie in 1982.

The wind still strong but not really cold. Glad they had handrails in some of the spots. Narrow walkway down through the rocks.

Too rough to see any dolphins or whales today.

Back up and around the Surge Pool again.

Continued around to the north side.

Back onto the path to head out - more information. If it had been sunny it would been more spectacular but it was still fantastic to see this natural creation.

Out to the road and the big information centre. I walked back to get a photo of Gorge Beach too as the rain had held off for my walk. Lots of food outlets too. Too bad Steve didn’t come for the walk - he could have had an icecream!

A light mist started as I headed back to Steve who parked just down the hill a bit so I didn’t have to go all the way down to the beach.

Continued down the road. Spotted this interesting garden sculpture.

Turned off before crossing the Porarari River into a picnic area to have our late lunch. I showed Steve the photos since he was too slack to come with me! More information - note this is the most southern point of the world’s palms.

Quick walk to another Pack Track entrance. Photo up the gorge as the rain started again.

Across Porarari River. The mouth reaches the sea a bit further along.