Punakaiki is a small community on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand, between Westport and Greymouth. The community lies on the edge of the Paparoa National Park. The Pancake Rocks are a very popular tourist goal at Dolomite Point south of the main village. The Pancake Rocks are a heavily eroded limestone area where the sea bursts through several vertical blowholes during high tides. Together with the ‘pancake’-layering of the limestone (created by immense pressure on alternating hard and soft layers of marine creatures and plant sediments), these form the main attraction of the area. (source).
I love the pancake rocks. They are so different from other natural phenomena, due to the extensive layering of the rocks. There’s a nice walkway so you can see different forms and formations. Some of the rocks even look like faces or a group of people. What I really like is that when you do down from Nelson to Greymouth, or vice versa, the Intercity coach schedules a break there, so that even when you are pressed for time and can’t go out of your way to see the pancake rocks, you still get the chance to have a look! That’s what I did the second time around. I took this photo the first time I was in Punakaiki. I had more time then because I travelled around with a campervan, still the best way to see this beautiful country.
Have you seen unusual natural phenomena or interesting features in the landscape?
Alive and Trekking 
What fascinating rocks! I thought they looked like limestone – amazing how the weathering works so evenly on the alternate layers! Our local seaside rocks and stacks are of magnesian limestone. It’s so interesting learning about rocks and their formations … they really are an incredible part of the planet’s ancient past 🙂
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They definetly are! I 🙂 agree, rocks and formations are so interesting. Geology was one of my favourite subjects at uni. There is so much to learn about how our earth and countries came to be!
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We like rocks 🙂 We’ve not studied geology formally but we do like to look up information to learn more about the rocks in places we visit. Oh, you are right, San, there is still so much to learn!
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I love rocks too! No study needed, but that’s where I first got an in depth look, although I’ve loved geography and things like plate tectonics since I was a kidl. It’s just so fascinating to see how our world formed and changed, and what beautiful materials the forces of nature create! 🙂
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The texture looks amazing. Reminds me of the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland, though I’ve never been there. (it’s on the list) 🙂
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It´s quite spectacular indeed. 🙂 I googled the Giant´s Causeway. That looks so beautiful and what a fascinating place that would be!
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Punakaiki is on my must visit list! I’m a north islander. I have however been to Moeraki, on the Otago coast. The boulders there are equally interesting.
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And rightfully so, it’s a beautiful area! 🙂 The blowholes are quite spectacular too. The North Island is amazing as well! So many beautiful areas and places. I know people in the Bay of Plenty, not a bad place to live, I have to say 😉 Haven’t nearly seen enough of the North Island. Cape Reinga and the Coromandel are on my wishlist, but so is plenty more, haha. 🙂 Never been to Moeraki. Sadly the bus didn’t have a scenic stop there. But who knows someday, I would love to see the boulders! 🙂
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