It’s a fantastic 10k walk full of really interesting gold mining history.
- Location: West Coast of the South Island
- Distance: 10.00 kms
- Time needed: 3 Hours
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Wheelchair Access: No
- Route: Round Trip
- Elevation: 140m
- Wet Feet: Yes
- Toilets: Yes
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: No
- Last Updated: November, 2019
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From the town ship, walk south down the main road. Across the Punakaiki River bridge. Then turn to the left at the Grey District sign.
Now walk to the end of the dirt road to the river. Don’t try to cross this river when it is in flood.
The start of the track is only 100m down the farm track. There is a small emergency hut on your right just before the track.
The track starts off with a pleasant grass lined walkway. But don’t be fooled, you have a pleasant 25 minute uphill walk to the saddle.
The downhill amble is very pleasant you will notice the change in the bush as you walk from the saddle down to the Pororari river.
At this turn off you need to take the left fork down the Pororari River Track. To the right will take you deep in to the Inland Pack Track.
The walk down the river is a limited view of the river. You can walk off the track and down to the river, but take care you might walk over the edge of a cliff!
At the steps, look back up the Pororari River to see the bluffs, they look really neat.
The next set of steps look like a dead end, but as you reach the top and look round the corner you are met with a little squeeze through some rocks.
The last bridge to cross. A few minutes more and you can take a few minutes to sit on a bench and look up river for the last time.
You are only 10 minutes from the car park now.
From the car park walk out on to the main road and turn left and walk back to your car in Punakaiki township. This should take 15 minutes unless you have a look at the Punakaiki caves on the way.