The short walk to the Pukaki Boulders has a DOC sign along the road.
Though some do park along the side of the road, it is actually recommended to park at the car park located just a few minutes from the sign.
From the DOC sign, there is a stile that you must go over before starting the climb. It is a short walk and, as a result, the ascent is quite easy as well. As you approach the top, you cannot miss the two boulders that standout proudly along the flat grasslands.
The Pukaki Boulders are glacial erratic deposited by the movement of the Tasman Glacier between 12,000 and 20,000 years ago. Erratic boulders are specifically rocks that have been transported by ice and deposited elsewhere. The outcome of this is that the type of rock of the boulders is different to the bedrock they sit upon.
The size of the boulders is a testimony to the power and size of the Tasman Glacier which, though it has retreated far too quickly over the last 30 years, is still a sight to see in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Descend from the walk the way you came.
Quick Facts about this walk
- Location: Twizel, South Island, New Zealand
- Time needed: 10 minute walk
- Distance: 200 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- Bikes allowed: No
- Route: One way
- Elevation: Unknown
- Wet Feet: No
- Toilets: There are toilets at the car park just a few minutes’ walk from the start of the walk.
- Dogs: No
- Mobile Coverage: Yes, very good
- Last Updated: May, 2020
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