Paparoa National Park
Paparoa National Park, National park on South Island's west coast, New Zealand
The park covers 430 square kilometers of land, featuring limestone formations, coastal cliffs, dense forests, and extensive cave networks between Buller and Grey rivers.
The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research established the Pororari Ecological Area in 1979, leading to the park's official designation in November 1987.
The protected lands contain numerous archaeological sites connected to early Maori settlements, preserving the heritage of New Zealand's indigenous inhabitants.
The Department of Conservation maintains multiple walking trails throughout the park, connecting visitors to key features including the Pancake Rocks at Dolomite Point.
Water erosion through limestone has created intricate cave systems with passages and shafts, including the Metro Cave, which operates as a tourist destination.
Location: Buller District
Location: Grey District
Inception: 1987
Operator: Department of Conservation
Phone: +6437311895
Email: paparoavc@doc.govt.nz
Website: https://doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/west-coast/places/paparoa-national-park
GPS coordinates: -42.11396,171.32660
Latest update: May 11, 2025 05:10
Earth presents numerous geological formations, natural phenomena, and architectural structures that stand out through their exceptional characteristics. This collection documents such sites across all continents: the Darvaza Gas Crater in Turkmenistan, burning for decades; the luminescent glowworms in New Zealand's Waitomo Caves; the terraced limestone pools of Pamukkale in Turkey; and the layered sediment patterns of The Wave in Arizona. Additional locations include the basalt columns at Bushmills in Northern Ireland, the deep blue expanse of Aokigahara Forest at the base of Mount Fuji, the Chocolate Hills in the Philippines with their conical mounds, and the acidic turquoise waters of Kawah Ijen crater lake in Indonesia. The collection also features human-made curiosities such as Quinta da Regaleira in Sintra with its spiral initiation well, the Winchester Mystery House in California with its unusual architecture, and Las Pozas in Mexico, a surrealist garden of concrete constructions in the jungle. Natural phenomena are equally represented: the Racetrack Playa in California with its moving rocks, the optical illusion of Magnetic Hill in New Brunswick, the Caño Cristales in Colombia whose riverbed appears in bright colors, and Lake Natron in Tanzania with its high alkaline content. Each location demonstrates specific geological processes, climatic conditions, or cultural developments that distinguish these places from typical travel destinations.
Reefton Power Station
44.9 km
Metro Cave / Te Ananui Cave
23.8 km
Truman Track
2.6 km
Inland Pack Track
2.1 km
Ballroom Overhang
12.5 km
School of Mines
44.8 km
Blacks Point Museum
45.9 km
Old Knox Church
44.5 km
Te Miko Waterfall
2.8 km
Alborns Coalmine Walk
46.1 km
Reefton Centennial Rotunda
44.5 km
Bank of New Zealand building
44.7 km
Racecourse Grandstand
43.8 km
Pororari River Track
3.2 km
Four Mile Scenic Reserve
20.7 km
Reefton Courthouse
44.7 km
Cave Creek Resurgence
6.6 km
St Stephen's Church
44.6 km
King George V Jubilee Park
44.5 km
Charleston Scenic Reserve
24.7 km
War Memorial Obelisk
44.6 km
Reefton Oddfellows Hall
44.7 km
Reefton Historic Area
44.5 km
Penington House
44.8 km
Inangahua County Library
44.5 km
Punakaiki Cavern
768 m
Punakaiki Scenic Reserve
1.2 km
Pororari River Gorge
1.4 kmReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes