The Truman Track is an easy, family-friendly walk that leads to one of the West Coast’s best viewpoints. It’s just a 5-minute drive north of Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki (which should definitely be on your bucket list!). The trail is very short, which makes you wonder if the view will be any good. But you know what they say: don’t judge a book by its cover.

Track overview

• Difficulty: Easy

• Length: 1.2km loop

• Time: 20-30 minutes

What makes this walk special is that the views are hidden until the very end. I don’t usually like this, but because the track is so short, it’s a lovely surprise when you reach the viewpoint. From here, you get panoramic views of the coastline and Truman Beach. If you’d like to keep exploring, there’s a section of stairs that leads down to the beach, where you’ll find a cave and a waterfall. If you’re travelling with kids (or are a big kid yourself), this would be a perfect spot to stop for a picnic.

How to get there

To get to the Truman Track, you’ll need your own car as New Zealand’s public transport isn’t great (understatement of the year!). It’s only 5 minutes north of the Pancake Rocks, and there’s a free car park at the start of the trail.