The Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Track is one of the must-see spots on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Right on the edge of the wild coastline, these layered limestone formations have been carved out by the ocean over millions of years and make for some epic photo opportunities.

They’re called ‘Pancake Rocks’ because the rock has eroded into flat, stacked layers that look like piles of pancakes. The real highlight, though, is the blowholes — when the tide is high and the swell is strong, huge bursts of water shoot straight up through the gaps in the rocks. It can give you a jump if you’re not expecting it.

The track itself is an easy 1.1 km loop and usually takes around 20 minutes if you’re not stopping for photos. Parking is available just across the road at the small outdoor shopping area — you’ll then need to cross the State Highway to reach the start of the walk.

Photography tip: Go at golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) for the best light. Bring a wide-angle lens (around 16–35 mm) to capture the whole landscape, and a telephoto (around 70–200 mm) if the surf is going off and you want close-ups of the waves and blowholes.