Paparoa National Park Circuit

Te Ara Pounamu
Paparoa National Park Circuit
Punakaiki

3 Days / 2 Nights

Booking Code WAINPAC

This section of 'Te Ara Pounamu' is a 3 day / 2 night hike through limestone karst and rainforest country continuing on from Ballroom Canyon. It features spectacular limestone gorges, magnificent stands of Rimu Rainforest trees and visits to caves. There is almost a feeling of spiritualness about this rather special & little known area of the South Island.

One night is spent camping in a large cavern called the Ballroom while the other is in tents. This hike involves a number of river crossings in crystal clear water that is great for swimming. This part of 'Te Ara Pounamu' is weather dependant and we have an alternate all weather track we use if the rivers are to high.

The track can be walked all year but warm clothes, woollen hats & gloves are recommended during April to September. Please let us know if you have any medical problems or special dietary requirements.

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Where do we sleep? The first night is at the Ballroom where we sleep in a huge limestone overhang in our sleeping bags on inflateable camp matresses Your meal is cooked on an open fire. Our campsite base is ideal for sitting quietly and absorbing the serenity of the surrounding rainforest. The second night is at our Bullock Creek Farm Campin tents with sleeping bags on camp beds and matresses. This is on the edge of a large grass clearing within the forest that is used for grazing.

What do I carry? On the first day everyone carries a day pack which we supply. It contains your own clothing, sleeping bag and inflateable matress and a share of the groups food for dinner and breakfast. The walking is gentle and relaxed with plenty of time for photographs, a picnic lunch and a swim. The next day we carry the same but only with trail snack food. Your meals for the second and third day are taken to the second nights camp for you.

Track Grade: 3 (1 is easy & 6 is hard) Walking time is about 3 hours the first day, 4 hours the second and 3 hours the third day with some optional visits to some caves and side canyon trails each day. The walking is gentle and relaxed with plenty of time for photographs, a picinic lunch and a swim. Bring plenty of film as this is an amazing trail.

3 days/2nights

If over 4 in your group these people receive a discount.

Times: Departs from Greymouth Ashley Hotel all year at 9:00am every Monday & Thursday. Pretrip Meeting: 7:00pm the evening before at Ashley Hotel Greymouth.

Have a look at the free offers and Spare Seat Travel Deals page as there may be discounted seats available on the days that you are visiting.

Inclusions: Department of Conservation fees, Government tax, 3 lunches, 2 dinners & 2 breakfasts plus trail snacks, camping gear, sleeping bag, guide, return transport to track from Greymouth (9.00 a.m.). Visit to the Pancake Rocks. Personal hiking gear is not included.

Before and after tour Accommodation: (not included)

We can arrange this for you and recommend:

• The Ashley Hotel ph (03) 768-5135
• Willowbank Lodge ph (03) 768-5339
• Neptune's Backpackers ph (03) 768-4425
• Greymouth Holiday Park ph (03) 768-6618

Cancellations: Walks paid for and cancelled within 30 days of or during travel will not be refunded under any circumstances. We recommend you have travel insurance & can arrange this for you.

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