Punakaiki Cavern
Pancake Rocks Cavern
 |
| Image: a wooden staircase leading to the cave entrance. |
Useful Information
| Location: |
Punakaiki, north of Greymouth.
56km from Westport, 88km from Hokitika.
From the Pancake Rocks (Visitor Center) follow the coast road to the north about 500m.
Signposted at the landward side of the road.
|
| Open: |
no restrictions
|
| Fee: |
free
|
| Classification: |
 Karst cave.
Oligocene limestone
|
| Light: |
none, bring electric torch
|
| Dimension: |
L=138m.
|
| Guided tours: |
n/a
|
| 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: 2008/11/16 13:32:22 $ |
History
Description
 |
| Image: view out of the entrance. |
 |
| Image: view out of the entrance. |
This small cave is named after nearby Pancake Rocks, which are a famous
tourist destination.
This rocks are called Punakaiki by the native Maori.
Very spectacular rocks formed by the waves in a thin bedded limestone.
The thin layers of limestone, about two or three centimetres thick and more or
less horizontal give the rocks a look like a stack of pancakes, thus the name.
This nearby cave is a karst cave, located in the same limestone.
The limestone is karstified and there are numerous caves in this area.
This small cave is signposted by the Paparoa National Park.
A wooden stair leads up onto the two metre high wall at the cave entrance.
The cave itself is considered to be very easy to explore.
However, a reliable light source, appropriate shoes and common sense are
essential.
See also
