Paparoa National Park

Paparoa National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Pancake Rocks
Interactive map of Paparoa National Park
Location	West Coast, New Zealand
Coordinates	42°5′S 171°30′E / 42.083°S 171.500°E / -42.083; 171.500
Area	429.7 km2 (165.9 sq mi)
Established	1 January 1987
Governing body	Department of Conservation

Paparoa National Park is on the west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. The park was established in 1987 and encompasses 430 km² (170 sq mi).^[1] The park ranges from or near the coastline to the peaks of the Paparoa Range. A separate section of the park lies to the north and is centred at Ananui Creek. The park protects a limestone karst area. The park contains several caves, of which Metro Cave / Te Ananui Cave is a commercial tourist attraction. The majority of the park is forested with a wide variety of vegetation. The park was the site of the 1995 Cave Creek disaster where fourteen people died as a result of the collapse of a scenic viewing platform.

The Paparoa Track, one of New Zealand's Great Walks, runs through the park.^[2]

The small settlement of Punakaiki, adjacent to the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes tourist attraction, lies on the edge of the park. The park is also located near the towns of Westport, Greymouth and Barrytown.