Paparoa Track
Limestone karst above the Tasman Sea
Overview
The Paparoa Track crosses the Paparoa Range. It takes you through alpine tops, limestone karst landscapes, thriving rainforests and provides breath-taking views.
Highlights
Up to Ces Clark
Limestone bluffs and West Coast views
Moonlight Tops Ridge
Standing on the ridge seeing the Tasman Sea
Pororari Gorge
Pororari Gorge limestone and nikau palms
Walk sections
- 1
Smoke-ho car park to Ces Clark Hut
Rougher than the rest of the track. Through podocarp and beech forest, crosses Smoke-ho Creek on a wire suspension bridge, then zig-zags up between Blackball Creek and Roaring Meg.
10.3 km
4h 30m
- 2
Ces Clark Hut to Moonlight Tops Hut
Through alpine scrub and tussock with expansive views of Grey River/Mawheranui and Tasman Sea. Follows the ridge of the main Paparoa Range.
9.7 km
3h
- 3
Moonlight Tops to Pororari Hut
Junction with the Pike29 Memorial Track. Winds along the top of the escarpment with steep cliffs and views to Pike Stream and the coast. Half-way descends through ancient podocarp forest.
19.1 km
6h
- 4
Pororari Hut to Punakaiki
Descends into the upper Pororari River valley. Sidles along a spectacular limestone gorge, descends through beech and northern rata, past the Cave Creek Memorial.
16 km
4h 30m
Day-by-day itinerary
- 1
Day 1
4h 30m
Up to Ces Clark
Smoke-ho CarparkCes Clark Hut
Distance
14 km
Elevation gain
820m
Est. time
4h 30m
Climb through limestone formations and beech forest to the first hut.
Limestone bluffs and West Coast views
- 2
Day 2
5h
Moonlight Tops Ridge
Ces Clark HutMoonlight Tops Hut
Distance
16 km
Elevation gain
600m
Est. time
5h
The alpine traverse on the Paparoa Range with the Tasman Sea visible to the west.
Standing on the ridge seeing the Tasman Sea
- 3
Day 3
7h
Pororari Gorge
Moonlight Tops HutPunakaiki
Distance
25 km
Elevation gain
200m
Est. time
7h
Descend through the spectacular Pororari Gorge with its crystal pools and nikau palms to Punakaiki.
Pororari Gorge limestone and nikau palms
Points of interest
Pororari River Gorge
Spectacular limestone gorge with beech forest and subtropical nikau palms.
Moonlight Tops
Sunset views over the Tasman Sea from Moonlight Tops Hut.
Lone Hand
Gnarled rock outcrop on the north side of the Pororari River, visible from the track.
Cave Creek Memorial
Memorial to 13 students and a DOC officer who lost their lives when the viewing platform collapsed on 28 April 1995.
Croesus Top Hut
Historic hut preserved for emergency shelter — passes just before Ces Clark Hut.
Side trips
Croesus Knob
Rough route climbs to the top (1204m) with views to Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Tasman Sea. Not maintained to Great Walk standard. Not suitable for mountain bikes.
70 min return
Huts on this walk
- Night 1HutSleeps 20
Ces Clark Hut
BunksGas cookersFlush toilets - Night 2HutSleeps 20
Moonlight Tops Hut
BunksGas cookersFlush toilets
Fees & pricing
Prices per person, per night. NZ rates require proof of eligibility.
Hut fees
| Date range | Adult NZ | Adult Intl | Child | Infant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ces Clark — Peak: 1 Oct – 30 AprPeak | $50 | $76 | $25 | Free |
| Ces Clark — Off-peak: 1 May – 30 Sep | $50 | $50 | $25 | Free |
| Moonlight Tops — Peak: 1 Oct – 30 AprPeak | $78 | $117 | $39 | Free |
| Moonlight Tops — Off-peak: 1 Jul – 31 Aug | $50 | $50 | $25 | Free |
| Pororari — Peak: 1 Oct – 30 AprPeak | $61 | $92 | $31 | Free |
| Pororari — Off-peak: 1 May – 30 Sep | $50 | $50 | $25 | Free |
Getting there
Start point
Smoke-ho car park
8 km — Blackball
End of Blackball Road, 8 km north of Blackball.
End point
Pororari River Track car park
1.2 km — Punakaiki
On SH 6, 1.2 km north of Pancake Rocks.
Waikori Road car park
2.4 km — Punakaiki
On SH 6, 2.4 km south of Pancake Rocks (mountain bikers).
Know before you go
Always check track conditions and weather forecasts before you set out.
6000+ mm annual rainfall
Changeable weather — heavy rain, snow, ice, fog, strong winds possible any time.
Pororari Valley flooding
Sections may become impassable during very heavy rainfall — landslide risk.
Tree fall risk
Risk of tree fall in extreme wind events — take shelter in Pororari Hut if necessary.
What to take
Personal equipment
- Backpack 40-60L
- Waterproof pack liner
- Sleeping bag (3-4 season)
- First aid kit including blister treatment
- Survival kit (blanket, whistle, paper, pencil, high-energy snack)
- Torch/flashlight and spare batteries
- Booking confirmation and ID
- Earplugs for communal bunkrooms
- Distress beacon
Cooking & food equipment
- Drink bottle 1-2L
- Eating and cooking utensils
- Gas cooker and fuel
- Matches/lighter (waterproof container)
Toiletries
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- Personal medication (antihistamine for wasp allergies)
Clothing
- Tramping boots or firm footwear
- Wool/polypropylene socks
- Quick-dry shorts
- Wool/polypropylene base layers
- Mid-layer fleece
- Waterproof raincoat with hood
- Wind-/waterproof overtrousers
- Warm hat and gloves
- Sunhat and sunglasses
- Warm sleeping layers
Food
- Lightweight high-energy meals + spare day
- Rodent-proof food storage
Optional
- Gaiters
- Lightweight hut shoes
Nature, history & culture
Culture
Ngati Waewae kaitiaki
The Ngati Waewae hapu of Ngai Tahu are the kaitiaki of Paparoa National Park.
History
Croesus Track origins
Built 1881-1899 to access mines in upper Blackball Creek. The first part of the Paparoa Track follows this route.
History
Pike River memorial
On 19 November 2010, 29 men perished in an underground explosion at the Pike River Mine. The track is a memorial to those men, created in partnership with their families, DOC and Ngati Waewae.
Walk it: step-through map
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Content from DOC (CC BY 4.0) — used with permission.