Punakaiki River

The Punakaiki River is a river of the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island. It flows predominantly northwest from its sources in the Paparoa Range, reaching the Tasman Sea two kilometres south of the town of Punakaiki. Most of the river's length is within Paparoa National Park.

Punakaiki River
Punakaiki River near Punakaiki
Location
Country	New Zealand
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Paparoa Range
Mouth
• location	Tasman Sea
Length	21 kilometres (13 mi)

Swimmers diving off the Punakaiki River bridge in 1973

The Inland Pack Track and the Paparoa Track both commence from the south bank of the river at Waipori Road, where there is a suspension bridge across the river. The section of the trail from the Punakaiki River to the Pororari River is dual-use – shared between walkers and mountain bikers, and serves as the northern entry or exit point of the Paparoa Track.[1]