Paparoa Track Group Tours: The West Coast Great Walk

Ask most agents which Great Walk to sell and the answer is Milford or Routeburn. The Paparoa Track is the one we suggest when a group wants a Great Walk without the Fiordland crowds, or when part of the group would rather ride than walk. Our New Zealand team has written the full Paparoa briefing. This note covers Paparoa Track group tours for agencies that sell New Zealand alongside other destinations.

What Is the Paparoa Track?

• Route. Walkers start at the Smoke-ho car park, 8 km north of Blackball, and finish at the Pororari River car park near the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.
• Huts. Ces Clark, Moonlight Tops and Pororari. DOC suggests two nights or three.
• A memorial. DOC says the track was created with the families of the 29 men who died at the Pike River Mine on 19 November 2010, DOC and Ngāti Waewae, as a memorial to the men.

What Do Paparoa Track Group Tours Need?

A hut booking for everyone, because there are no campsites, and DOC can charge a penalty or turn walkers away from a full hut without one. Food and cooking gear, because huts have bunks, gas cooktops, toilets and water and nothing more. A shuttle, because the Smoke-ho car park is small and for day use only. And a guide carrying the group's communications, because most of the track has no phone signal. DOC sets the hut fees, and we confirm them at booking.

Can Part of the Group Ride?

Yes, if they are experienced riders. DOC grades the track Advanced (Grade 4), and riders finish at the Waikori Road car park, 2.4 km south of the Pancake Rocks. E-bikes and night riding are not allowed. Rainfall averages around 6,000 mm a year, and DOC warns that sections in the Pororari Valley can become impassable in very heavy rain, so we keep a weather day in the plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the Paparoa Track?

DOC lists 55 km for walkers over three days, and 56.2 km for mountain bikers over two days.

Can walkers camp on the Paparoa Track?

No. There are no campsites, so every walker needs a hut booking.

Are e-bikes allowed?

No. E-bikes are not allowed under the Paparoa National Park Management Plan.

Where does the Paparoa Track start and finish?

At the Smoke-ho car park near Blackball, and near the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki.

Sources

• Department of Conservation: Paparoa Track

Where Explera Fits

For a walking or riding group on the West Coast, read these next:

• Explera DMC New Zealand: the desk that runs our New Zealand groups.
• New Zealand destination page: what we arrange across both islands.
• Tours and experiences service: guided walks, shuttles and support.
• New Zealand's West Coast for groups: Punakaiki, Hokitika and the rain plan.
• Heaphy Track group tours: the other shared walking and riding Great Walk.
• New Zealand Great Walks for groups: how the bookings work.

Write to b2b@explera.co.nz or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341).