A Walk We Keep Coming Back To

Somewhat of a family tradition on all our New Zealand trips has been walking the Pororari River Track. We first stayed in a very cold dormitory across the road in Punakaiki in 1997, and our Kiwi Experience bus driver recommended the hike. It was so good that we returned in 2005—and we simply had to revisit in 2025. The walk is just that spectacular.

Where the Track Begins

The track lies in Paparoa National Park on the West Coast. The trailhead is near the village of Punakaiki: start from the car park at the Pororari River bridge, about 1 km north of the Visitor Centre on State Highway 6.

A Compact Slice of West Coast Wilderness

The Pororari River Track offers a perfect taste of West Coast rainforest, dramatic limestone formations, a beautiful river gorge, and incredibly easy access from the highway. Every time we’ve walked it, we feel like we’ve stepped back in time. The forest that lines the river feels straight out of Jurassic Park or Avatar—lush, towering, and ancient.

Birdsong, Rapids, and Forest Magic

The sound of the river is soothing and the birdlife abundant. We even saw our first Tui up close—an extraordinary singer and a very dapper bird. Fantails flicked around us, chasing insects, and ducks played in the rapids.

Elevenses by the River

To uphold another tradition, we stopped for elevenses on the riverbank—Nutella and banana sandwiches, of course. Pure bliss.

Tree Ferns: Exotic Giants

One of the most fascinating parts of the hike is the countless huge tree ferns. It feels surreal to stand beneath a plant that, back home, is merely a house plant. We adore them, and they feel emblematic of New Zealand—icons of the land we walked upon.

Why This Track Is a Top Pick

The Pororari River Track is a favourite because it doesn’t require multi-day trekking yet still delivers a generous dose of wild scenery.

The typical return walk is about 7 km and can be done in roughly 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on how far you go. It’s an easy to moderate hike: the first section is gentle, while later parts narrow and become steeper, though nothing too challenging.

A Tradition Worth Repeating

Should we ever return to the stunning West Coast of the South Island, we will 100% do this hike again. Family traditions don’t get much better than walking the Pororari River Track.

Top Tips for Hiking the Pororari River Track

The region receives high rainfall (Paparoa NP averages ~6,000 mm/year), so conditions can change rapidly. Some parts of the track can become impassable in heavy rain due to flooding, landslides, or rockfall. The lower section is well-graded and accessible; the upper parts are more rugged. If you want only a short stroll, simply turn back earlier.