Punakaiki

PRICED FROM $1,035 | DURATION: 3 days & 2 nights

Discover a geological wonder at the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes and enjoy one of the Top 10 Coastal Drives in the world.

Regional Highlights

Punakaiki, a small coastal community on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, is renowned for its stunning natural attractions.

Pancake Rocks and Blowholes: One of Punakaiki's most famous attractions, the Pancake Rocks are limestone formations that resemble stacks of pancakes. The blowholes in the area create impressive water spouts as the waves crash against the rocks.
Punakaiki Cavern: An awe-inspiring limestone cavern featuring stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone formations, providing visitors with a unique underground experience.
Paparoa National Park: Punakaiki serves as the gateway to Paparoa National Park, offering an abundance of diverse landscapes, including lush forests, impressive limestone cliffs, and stunning coastal views.
Adventure Activities: The region provides opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, such as trekking, kayaking, and horseback riding, providing a chance to immerse oneself in Punakaiki's natural beauty.

Whether visitors are drawn to the breathtaking coastal scenery, underground wonders, or outdoor adventures, Punakaiki offers an unforgettable experience for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

Includes

Guided tour of Hokitika
2 nights’ accommodation at the 4-star Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
Full-cooked breakfast daily
Pounamu Pathway experience, Greymouth
Guided transfers on the West Coast to and from Scenic Hotel Punakaki
TranzAlpine Scenic Plus Dining Experience Greymouth to Christchurch

Price per person - share twin

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1. CHRISTCHURCH /HOKITIKA/PUNAKAIKI

Morning flight to Hokitika where your driver meets you. Stop in Hokitika to see a master carver at work with genuine pounamu, watch art in action at the Hokitika Glass Studio, or head down to Hokitika Beach to photograph the iconic driftwood sculpture that spells Hokitika on the sand.
Head north to Punakaiki on the Great Coast Road, rated by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 Coastal Drives in the World. Nestled between the stunning temperate rainforest unique to the West Coast and the untamed Tasman Sea, Scenic Hotel Punakaiki is a modern accommodation complex. All the rooms face either the ocean or rainforest and are cleverly staggered for the best view while maintaining privacy from one another.
**Stay: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki**

DAY 2. PUNAKAIKI

Enjoy a day at leisure. A few million years younger than the dinosaurs but still relatively ancient, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks provide a natural spectacle. A short walk from your hotel, see nature's power in full force where an unrelenting drama plays out as the mighty Tasman Sea crashes into these iconic limestone formations. At high tide the ocean heaves, hisses and thumps through narrow tunnels and blowholes in the pancaked rocks.
Sip a sundowner while watching the stunning sunset over the Tasman Sea and enjoy the epic views of the Punakaiki Beach and Coastline from your hotel.
**Stay: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki**

DAY 3. PUNAKAIKI / TRANZALPINE / CHRISTCHURCH

Your driver collects you this morning for the drive to Greymouth to visit the Pounamu Pathway, an immersive Māori Cultural Experience designed by renowned Wētā Workshop. Discover the sights and stories of New Zealand's wild West Coast on an inspiring and truly unforgettable experience.
This afternoon board the iconic TranzAlpine train for your all-inclusive Scenic Plus dining experience. Travelling from coast to coast through the ‘Great Divide’ and the indomitable spine of mountains that partitions New Zealand’s South Island. Ease back and enjoy the views through oversized panoramic windows in the spacious cabin, while you are served a seasonal menu inspired by the mountains and rivers of the world-famous TranzAlpine train journey.
**Arrive into Christchurch in the early evening and transfer to the airport for return flights home.**

Your Accommodation

A stunning ocean-view retreat located right on the beach

Located on the ocean side of the scenic Great Coast Road, Scenic Hotel Punakaiki provides stunning views of the Tasman Sea, Punakaiki Beach, and the surrounding forest. The perfect accommodation for your Punakaiki getaway.

Scenic Hotel Punakaiki is a modern hotel complex with premium guest rooms, located just 300m south of the world-famous Pancake Rocks and Blow Holes on the West Coast of the South Island. The resort has been designed to maximize the surrounding environment with all rooms having either a beach, ocean or rainforest view; all guest rooms are modern studio rooms with a choice of either Beach, Ocean or Rainforest Room or Deluxe Suites.

Perfectly positioned for you to enjoy everything the region is famous for. Relax by the fire in the warm and friendly executive lounge, watch the sunset over the Tasman Sea and enjoy the epic views of the Punakaiki Beach and Coastline from your table at the Ocean View Restaurant and Bar.