Entirely World Famous Nicquel: PUNAKAIKI

On our arrival we visited the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes only 300 metres north of the Punakaiki Resort. The Rocks and Blowholes are an incredible geological formation where stratified limestone that was formed under the sea 30 million years ago has been weathered into extraordinary shapes by wind and waves. Unfortunately it was low tide when we visited the Blowholes, which was a shame as they are at their most powerful at high tide.

What it looks like at high tide

Punakaiki Resort

A modern accommodation complex, Punakaiki Resort has been designed to maximize the surrounding environment with beautiful ocean and rainforest views of the Paporoa National Park.

The resort offers a wide range of accommodation to suit couples, families, groups and corporate guests. There are two styles of accommodation on offer: Standard Resort Rooms and Luxury Eco-Suites. All rooms are architecturally designed to maintain a sense of privacy and maximise the incredible views while ensuring harmony with the local environment.

We were very lucky to stay in one of the Eco-Suites, which is very spacious and stylish. All of the suites were made using only organically grown timbers and commercial materials with little or no toxins. They feature large solar panels, Ecofleece insulation, environmentally friendly amenities and energy saving devices. I'm not a huge green activist but I have to say it does make you feel a little better knowing that the suites have been built to have minimal impact on the environment.

The fully-equipped suite features its own private balcony, which showcases some magnificent views over Punakaiki Beach. All your basic amenities that become luxuries when travelling are provided by the resort including bathrobes, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, Evolu Toiletries and SKY TV.

In the morning we enjoyed a very scrumptious full buffet breakfast in the award winning Waterline Restaurant before heading off to Charleston for underwater rafting. The Restaurant provides the perfect setting to relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Floor-to-ceiling windows wrap around the restaurant for true beach-front dining.

Underworld Adventures- Norwest Adventures Limited

Half way between Punakaiki and Westport we stumbled across the Nile River Caves. This was by far one of the funnest and most entertaining tour I have been on so far. It offers a bit of everything; a train ride, a bush walk, a cave walk and river rafting like no way i've ever experienced- on tubes.

Norwest Adventures was established in 1987 by Geoff Schurr and Ray Moroney, two cavers who developed the company after many years as leading educationalists and cave explorers.

After we were greeted by Geoff the owner/creater of Underworld Adventures we took a short bus ride to what looked like a train station, but it was so little. The next thing a small theme park styled train with open carriages appeared out of the shed. 'All aboard' Geoff exclaimed as he swapped roles from the bus driver to the train driver. We took the Train through the primeval rainforests of the magnificent Nile River Canyon. The short interpretive train ride passed through film sites of the BBC “The Lost world” film production. It really didn't take much of your imagination to picture dinasours roaming in this pristine forest untouched by man.

We departed the train at another small station (which I later found out was built by Geoff and his partner Ray) and geared up for our Underworld Rafting adventure. After a short but steep walkaccross the Suspension Bridge we reached the Tricolps entrance of the Nile River Caves.

To walk through the cave and experience it in its natural unspoilt state, just the way a cave explorer would do it was just awe-inspiring. No rails, no pathways, nothing man made- the only thing leading you through to the otherside is two pieces of rope that act as a pathway. Along the way we came across amazing cave formations and surreal GlowWorm displays. It was like being in another world of unsurpassed beauty.

Then the real fun began as we floated through the incredible Glow Worm lit grottos and down the bouncy Nile River on our tubes. Lying on our back on the tubes, you are surrounded by complete and utter darkness lit up by tiny lights from the Glow Worms.

It took a while for our eyes to adjust once we left the cave but once they did what an amazing sight. There is no words to describe this wonderland- majestic does not even come close.

The 15 minute ride back to the Suspension Bridge on the rough rapids of the Nile was so much fun. Our happy chatter in the calm sections turned into loud laughter and screams in the rapids as we cheered each other on. Steve was the rapid legend of the day, which we all had a laugh about coming back on the train and bus.