If you’re at Punakaiki and want to escape the crowds at Pancake Rocks, a short walk along the Pororari River Track will do the trick.

The track passes through a lush, forested river valley, surrounded on all sides by dramatic limestone cliffs and bluffs, eventually reaching Paparoa National Park and a junction with the recently reopened Inland Pack Track.

A 15-minute walk from the car park brings you to a seat and a lovely lookout over the river. The track continues for another 2.5km to the Inland Pack Track.

This sub-tropical forest, with many shades of green and diverse leaf shapes of nikau palms, tree ferns and towering rata, is a delight to walk through. Wildlife abounds – weka cross the track and tomtit, bush robins, kereru, tuis and bellbirds fly overhead. Shoals of fish can be seen in the dark pools.