| Location: | Inland Pack Track Near Westport. Paparoa National Park, between Westport and Greymouth. |
| Open: | no restrictions |
| Fee: | free |
| Classification: | Fluviatile cave, Oligocene limestone |
| Light: | none, bring electric torch |
| Dimension: | |
| Guided tours: | |
| Bibliography: | |
| Address: |
DOC Punakaiki Field Centre, Main Road, PO Box 1, Punakaiki, Tel +64-3-731-1895, Fax +64-3-731-1888.
E-mail: |
| Last update: | $Date: 2008/10/09 18:36:25 $ |
The Ballroom is a overhaning cliff face, a shelter for hikers and part of the Inland Pack Track. It is used by hikers when it rains, which is rather common at this area. If this overhang was located in Europe, it would definitely be a site of Paleolithic finds. New Zealand was not inhabited before the Maori, so the could only be some Maori remains. At the moment we do not know about such remains or related excavations.
The ballrom has a circular back wall, with rather typical horizontal furrows. This shows very impressive how it was formed: the erosion of flowing water, a river formed this overhang. It is a so called fluviatile cave, a cave formed by a river. The water flows in so called meanders, and when it is forced to change its direction it works on the rocks.
If you use this shelter, be carefull with rats. It is a very good idea to seal all food. There is no wood for campfires at this place so it is necessary tobring it with you or walk some distance to find some.
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