Westport Things to Do Tips by balhannah

PUNAKAIKI ROCKS [PANCAKE ROCKS]

Located south of Westport & Charleston, are the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes that were formed under the sea 30 million years ago, and have now weathered into extraordinary shapes by wind and waves.

The blowholes are the result of massive undermining of these weird structures by wave action. High seas surge into caverns, causing enough pressure to propel impressive geysers of spume and spray up through clefts in the rock. The best time to visit the blowholes is at high tide when they are at their most powerful.

The Dolomite Point lookout above the famous pancake rocks, is a short walk from the road on a paved loop track. You will hear the booming surf long before you see the pancakes!

We didn't do this as we were moving on, but if you are here at dusk and head down to the nearby beaches and wave-sculpted rock platforms, you may see Westland black petrels. This is the only breeding colony of these large burrow-nesting birds in the world.

LOCATION.... 40 km north of Greymouth, or south of Westport on the West Coast.

There is an information centre, tearooms, tavern, motels, lodges and a motor camp located here. There are some good photo opportunities, and this is a MUST SEE!

Website: http://www.punakaiki.co.nz/ -

Cape Foulwind

Cape Foulwind is located near Westport. At the Cape, there is a good track to viewing platforms so that you can see the Seals and the rugged coastline. The Seals here, are New Zealand Fur Seals. They give birth in late November. A week or so later, the males arrive at the colony, looking for a mate. The males remain ashore, and do not feed for up to two months during the breeding season. With the pups , there is plenty of playful activity to watch.

Also here, is a walking track, about 11/2 hours which takes you to a sandy beach and granite cliffs. You get great views of the Cape, and another side track will take you to the lighthouse.