

Punakaiki Pancake
Rocks guide
==the cj way++
The CJ way Guide to Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
AT A GLANCE
Layered, pancake rock formations on the coast
Punakaiki
15 mins walk from parking
Easy
Free
Best time to visit: golden hour/sunset and high tide for the blow hole
Jandals suitable
WHERE IS THIS EXACTLY?
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Coordinates of the trail: -42.114124, 171.326444
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Coordinates of parking: -42.114554, 171.330174
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Park in the carpark and follow the marked track (it’s a 1.1km loop).
best time to visit?
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When sunset coincides with high tide!
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We believe the evening golden light right through to sunset gives the best light, and high tide means the blowholes are in action and any shots with water through the gorge/gap look will better.
cj travel tips
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Arrive early and walk the entire loop first looking at all the different angles. Then go back to where you think looked the best! It can be a little overwhelming here, so allow yourself some time to scope! We personally preferred the first section of the walk and where the blow hole is.
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Be prepared for lots of people here as it's always very busy!
cj photography tips
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We find the pancake rocks one of the hardest spots in New Zealand to photograph. Mostly because your vantage points are limited to the track/path and it’s hard to create depth in your shots.
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A panorama is a good option here to balance the rocks, ocean and sky in your frame.
what we found useful to pack
In addition to the usuals (camera gear, suitable clothing, water and food, first aid, etc.) we found the following items useful:
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windproof jacket. For some reason this walk always seems super windy haha.