📷 Photo by Maximilian Brand on UnsplashPunakaiki to Hokitika: Pancake Rocks, Lake Brunner and Gorge
A three-day drive down the coast from Punakaiki to Greymouth and Hokitika, with Lake Brunner and Hokitika Gorge as inland detours.
- Distance
- 188 km (117 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 03 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 11
- States
- New Zealand
- Updated
- May 7, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 188 km (117 mi) with 11 stops, from Punakaiki to Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre. About 2 h 03 min of driving in total.
More road trips in New Zealand
Route description
SH6 hugs the coast between Westport and Greymouth through Paparoa National Park. Punakaiki, around 55 km from Westport, has the Pancake Rocks and blowholes, best at high tide, and the Pororari River Track through palms. The coast road has many bends and a few one-lane bridges; allow time and keep to the left on blind corners. Parking at the Pancake Rocks is free, but coach groups arrive mid-morning, so go early or late.
From Punakaiki, Greymouth is 45 km south, the largest town on the coast, with supermarkets and fuel. For Lake Brunner, take SH7 and the Moana road east, about 45 km; the lake is quiet, with trout and bush walks. Return to SH6 for the drive to Hokitika, about 40 km, which is flat and fast. Supermarkets and laundries are easier to find here than further south, so stock up.
Hokitika is a small town with greenstone studios and a beach lined with driftwood. Visit the glow-worm dell after dark, and the driftwood sign at sunset. The Hokitika Gorge, with its blue water, is about 30 km inland on a sealed road; allow a half day, and check the water colour after rain. In wet weather the Hokitika Gorge road is still sealed, but visibility and colour suffer.
From Hokitika, SH6 runs south for 30 km to Ross, an old gold town with a heritage centre and walking tracks. Beyond Ross the road continues across wide river flats; fuel is limited, so fill up in Hokitika. DOC campsites and holiday parks serve the area; freedom camping is only allowed in designated zones with certified self-contained vehicles. Sandflies are common on the coast, so keep repellent and long sleeves at hand.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Punakaiki
New Zealand - 20 km
Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
NaturePunakaiki, New ZealandLayered limestone stacks on the coast of Paparoa National Park, with a 20-minute boardwalk loop past blowholes that spout at high tide. Check tide times before the visit, since the show is best at high tide with a swell. The car park is free.
- 31 km
Pororari River Track
NaturePunakaiki, New ZealandA gentle walk beside a limestone gorge lined with nīkau palms and rata, starting near Punakaiki's village. Allow two hours return for the lower section, and avoid it after heavy rain when the river rises and the track can flood.
- 447 km
Greymouth
New Zealand - 532 km
Lake Brunner (Moana)
NatureGreymouth, New ZealandThe largest lake on the West Coast, set among forest and hills, with a village at Moana and short walks to the shore. Trout fishing is popular; check the road from SH73, which is sealed, and bring drinking water if camping nearby.
- 648 km
Hokitika
New Zealand - 71 km
Hokitika Beach and Driftwood Sign
OdditiesHokitika, New ZealandA black-pebble beach strewn with driftwood, where visitors build large letter signs spelling the town's name. Walk the beach at dusk for views of the Southern Alps behind the town, and keep clear of the surf, which is unpredictable.
- 82 km
Hokitika Glow-worm Dell
NatureHokitika, New ZealandA small bush gully just outside town where glow-worms light up the banks after dark. It is free and easy to reach; visit after sunset on a dry night, use a red torch or none, and stay on the path.
- 935 km
Hokitika Gorge
NatureHokitika, New ZealandA short bush walk leads to a swing bridge over a gorge where glacial silt turns the Hokitika River a milky turquoise. The colour is strongest in clear weather and fades after heavy rain, so check the forecast. Allow about an hour and a half from Hokitika.
- 1023 km
Ross
New Zealand - 110 km
Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre
HistoryRoss, New ZealandA small museum in a former gold-rush town, where the 1909 Honourable Roddy nugget was found, with tracks past old water races and mine workings. Visitors can try gold panning, and the main street has a cafe.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Punakaiki → Greymouth · 48 km · 0 h 32 minOn the way: Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, Pororari River Track.
- Day 2: Greymouth → Hokitika · 80 km · 0 h 52 minOn the way: Lake Brunner (Moana).
- Day 3: Hokitika → Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre · 60 km · 0 h 39 minOn the way: Hokitika Beach and Driftwood Sign, Hokitika Glow-worm Dell, Hokitika Gorge, Ross.
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
FAQs
How long is Punakaiki to Hokitika: Pancake Rocks, Lake Brunner and Gorge?
3-day road trip of about 188 km (117 mi) with 11 stops, from Punakaiki to Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre. About 2 h 03 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Punakaiki to Hokitika: Pancake Rocks, Lake Brunner and Gorge?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 03 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Punakaiki to Hokitika: Pancake Rocks, Lake Brunner and Gorge start and end?
It starts in Punakaiki and ends in Ross Goldfields Heritage Centre.
Which states does Punakaiki to Hokitika: Pancake Rocks, Lake Brunner and Gorge pass through?
New Zealand.
When is the best time for Punakaiki to Hokitika: Pancake Rocks, Lake Brunner and Gorge?
The most pleasant months are usually March–April and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in May, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
