Blog

Opening dates for new Paparoa Visitors Centre!

Locals will have noticed a hive of activity, and some long working days, as the new front building (Experience Centre) nears completion. It is now expected to be ready to move in late April. This will trigger the demolition, removal, and final landscaping arrangements of the existing DOC Visitor Centre next door. DOC staff are fully involved in […]

Punakaiki’s NEW Skyscraper

As everyone can now see, construction of the new Visitor Centre is well underway , with metal framing and laminated timber uprights showing the design and shape of the building to be. Some have wondered about the apparent height of the ‘roof’ indicated by the giant scaffolding spans and white covers, but rest assured, the finished […]

What do the locals do?

Many people come to Punakaiki attracted to its beautiful cliffs, native forest and pancake layered rocks but only scratch the surface of what’s available here. We’ve compiled a list of just some of the many things locals get up to on The Coast Road. Surfing Locals on the Coast road through Punakaiki and surrounds can […]

Pete’s Pattie Palace (Update)

Right in the heart of Punakaiki Beach Camp, situated with views of the cliffs, is Pete’s Pattie Palace foodcart. The foodcart is probably known best for its perky morning brew and delicious West Coast whitebait patties which have been in very high demand this season. Another popular mainstay is the refreshing softserve ice cream and […]

Running the Paparoa Track… on a good day!

In December 2021 Jed and Johanna made it over the Paparoa track in a day but not without some hitches and challenging conditions. Read about it here. Less than a year later, August 2022 Jed and Johanna returned to Blackball to run the full track again. Here’s their story of the day. Our first running attempt […]

Our team in the news!

We’ve been popping up in the media recently. Check us out! Dion chats to the team from Development West Coast about Waka Puna, his new kayaking and paddleboarding venture, just down the road from the beach camp. Dion offers a fresh perspective on what kind of experience people can get out of their time in […]

Waitangi Weekend

Kia ora We’re having a dreamy summer over here in Punakaiki. Waitangi weekend is less than a month away and we’ve got some amazing options for you. If you haven’t managed to get a booking over this busy period don’t worry, there are still opportunities coming up to wind down and enjoy our oasis. We […]

Happy New Year!

Punakaiki Beach Camp has been buzzing with holiday makers this Christmas. Summer kicked in just in time and it’s been great to see people relaxing and getting out exploring – hiking, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and just generally having a great time with family and friends. Our customers know how to make the most of the […]

Pretty Great Actually :)

A few months back some of the Punakaiki crew did some modelling for Development West Coast’s ‘Pretty Great Actually’ campaign and here are the results. https://www.punakaikibeachcamp.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Our-public-transport.mp4 Going for a cruise up the Pororari River here are Sue and Craig, what a spot huh! https://www.punakaikibeachcamp.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Loads-of-things-to-do.mp4 Tim enjoying a lazy afternoon in the hammock at our Seascapes […]

Punakaiki Visitor Centre coming along.

We’re all pretty excited here in Punakaiki about the new build that’s happening up at Dolomite Point opposite our mega famous Pancake Rocks. The new Experience Centre has been going ahead in leaps and bounds since work started at the end of May. The really tricky part of the work, getting the piles in to […]

Spring has sprung and so has a new business in Punakaiki!

Waka Puna is the brain child of business partners Jase and Dion. They’ve bought what was Punakaiki Canoes and, as well as continuing to offer kayak and gear rental, Waka Puna also has stand up paddle boards for hire and offers lessons. Dion grew up in Punakaiki and previously ran surf lessons and a stand […]

Stand up for your land!

You might not be aware of it but there’s a review of stewardship land on the West Coast going on at the moment and I reckon it’s pretty important. Stewardship land was allocated to DOC when it was established as a government department in 1987. DOC manages this land under the Conservation Act 1987 to […]