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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -42.11097, 171.38575. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- 15 km loop
- Walking time
- 5–6 hr
- Track grade
- Advanced
- Location
- Paparoa National Park
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
This track links the Pororari River Track with the scenic Bullock Creek Road and follows a section of the Inland Pack Track.
This DOC directory entry covers Pororari River - Bullock Creek Road Track in West Coast, within Paparoa National Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: 15 km loop
- Walking time: 5–6 hr
- DOC grade: Advanced
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
This track links the Pororari River Track with the scenic Bullock Creek Road and follows a section of the Inland Pack Track, passing through part of the Paparoa limestone syncline (a fold of stratified rock).
The mature forest here supports many birds, including rare species such as kākā and kiwi. Cyclone Ita in 2014 caused the extensive treefalls you can see here. Once the Bullock Creek flats are reached, continue to the T-intersection, and turn left to follow the track markers to the car park.
Complete the loop by walking down Bullock Creek Road (6 km) and out to SH 6. From here, it is another 1 km south along the highway to return to the Pororari car park.
Getting there
Start from the car park by the Pororari River bridge, 1 km north of the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre on SH6.
Bullock Creek Road can often flood. Do not go into the area via this road during heavy rain.
Know before you go
Hunters may be within the area of the lower and upper sections of the Pororari River track - take care.
Heavy rain will cause the lower and upper section of the track to possibly become impassable. Before you go into the area check the Paparoa National Park weather forecast – NIWA website.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
