Last Updated on: 21 July 2023

The Punakaiki Cavern is a Karst cave, formed with a combination of water and carbon dioxide, carving out the cave from the Oligocene limestone.

The Punakaiki cave also features glow worms and stalactites.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: West Coast of the South Island
  • Distance: 0.05 kms
  • Time needed: 1 minute
  • Difficulty: Very Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: One Way
  • Elevation: 5m
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: No
  • Mobile Coverage: Yes
  • Last Updated: November, 2019
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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

The Punakaiki Cavern is a Karst cave, formed with a combination of water and carbon dioxide, carving out the cave from the Oligocene limestone. Well worth a look around. The cavern also features glow worms and stalactites.

Track Quality

The floor of the caves can be slippery.

Hazards

Wear a crash helmet and take a torch

Transport

Westport to Greymouth bus

Water

No

Driving Instructions

From Westport take highway 67 to Reefton. 6km south turn right on to highway 6 to Greymouth via Punakaiki. Charleston Township is another 25km. The next point is Fox River at 45km. There is a good walk into Fox River Caves well worth the walk. The Irimahuwhero lookout is also a good place to stop. Punakaiki is just another 2km. 500m before the township at the bottom of the hill on the left is the entrance to the caves.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

Unknown

Area & Trail History

Unknown

Map Location

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Points of interest along the walk​

Punakaiki Caves Walk - start
Punakaiki Caves Walk - start
Punakaiki Caves Walk - start

Point 1: Punakaiki Caves Walk – start

Park the car on the right hand side of the road. The entrance is easy to find. You walk down in to the hidden rain forest. Then up the stair case to the entrance of the cave.

You need to make your way to the left there is a marker to follow.

Watch the slippery floor at the beginning.

Punakaiki Caves
Punakaiki Caves
Punakaiki Caves

Point 2: Punakaiki Caves

Walk around for 5 or 10min or more so long as you have a touch. These caves in Punakaiki are great.

Punakaiki Caves - more photos
Punakaiki Caves - more photos
Punakaiki Caves - more photos

Point 3: Punakaiki Caves – more photos

Just take your time and explore these great caves at Punakaiki

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