Explore the West Coast of New Zealand : Punakaiki Marine Reserve

Punakaiki Marine Reserve lies on the west coast of New Zealand's South Island. It surrounds the Dolomite Point's Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. It's part of my recent Hiking Overload Video Post here on Travel Feed.

Day 14 of our 1 month family road trip in New Zealand

After a short road detour to Cape Foulwind Seal Colony and more than a three hour ride from Motueka, we arrived safely at our mountain lodge. We quickly checked in and dumped our bags in our rooms. We didn't want to waste time having realized that we made a mistake of booking only an overnight stay in Punakaiki. It is a region perfectly explored for at least 2 nights.

From our Te Nikau Retreat mountain lodge, we followed a gravel path through the rainforest along the Truman Track that led us tramping on the Marine Reserve. We walked along a gravel path that dramatically reveals breathtaking rocky reefs.

The sea deserves an applause for its masterful sculpture of rocks and limestone cliffs. The marine reserve stretches throughout the west coast beneath the heavily forested lands of Paparoa National Park.

The weather can quickly change around the west coast but we were lucky to have captured it during a sunny day. We found ourselves descending down the steps from the viewing deck. We watched the vigorous waves slap against the gravel shores decorated with bull kelp and seaweeds.

We had the place to ourselves. We lingered there for some time, checking out each and every corner below the etched limestone cliffs. My mother-in-law hid under a cove to protect herself from the bright and scorching sun. Be sure to check the weather and sea forecasts. Notify a responsible someone before visiting this area and when you are expected to return. Do bring adequate food and water and watch out for large waves on the rocky shores.

We headed back to the mountain lodge. It was past three pm and we wanted to squeeze in our last long hike for the day - The Pororari River Track, before dinner time. We took the car and drove down Pororari River for the mentioned trail.

Where We Stayed

By 7pm, we were back in the shared kitchen to cook our pasta. Our parents were given a separate cottage room in the middle of the forest. It had no internet and they had to walk through the woods along a gravel path lit by lanterns. It was a romantic looking cottage with a comfy bed and a small terrace perfect for honeymoon.

Our airy and brightly lit room was located on the upper floor of this villa. We had a small balcony with a separate bed for Anais and our own bathroom. Right below us was the main kitchen equipped with all the tools we needed. They had freshly baked bread and goodies available for anyone interested to purchase. Next to it was an honesty cash box for the payment. We purchased a full bread because it would go well with what we had planned for that evening.

Green Therapy while eating. I wanted to show the kitchen because it showcased a therapeutic view of the rainforest. If someone were to ask me where I want to live, the mountain or the sea? I would always choose the mountain for the trees. This mountain lodge, Te Nikau Retreat was definitely one of the top favorite places we stayed in during our 1 month road trip in New Zealand.

After dinner, we drove to the main town of Punakaiki and walked towards the coast. There was a small pub that was open, but we were too tired to hang around longer, so we all returned to our charming cottage rooms for a much needed restful sleep.

To Be Continued..up next Pororari River Track

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