Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and blowholes

"The jewel of the West Coast", Punakaiki is a tiny settlement on New Zealand's South Island.

It is dramatically positioned indeed, with densely forested mountains dropping down to sweeping surf beaches.

Punakaiki's most visited site is its blowholes and layers of weathered limestone dubbed Pancake Rocks.

Close to Pancake Rocks is a remarkable glowworm cave, some good river and sea swimming, point-break surfing and a selection of short walks.

If you're not up for the whole two-day hike, it is possible to do small chunks of the 27km Inland Pack Track which traverses the wet and wild Paparoa National Park through limestone gorges, subtropical forest and raging rivers.

Punakaiki has precious little infrastructure: one small grocery store and cafe, one pub, a small selection of accommodation options and no bank machines. Stock up before you arrive.