Ballroom, Fox River
Paparoa National Park
- 2 hr return via same track
- Easy
Walk through a spectacular limestone gorge, visit caves, and camp under a massive rock overhang.
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Walking time
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1 – 2 days
2 hr
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Distance
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9.0km |
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Type
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Return via same track
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Grade
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Easy |
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Bookings
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No bookings — open access
No — open access
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Starts
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Tiromoana, Fox River, SH6, north of Punakaiki |
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Maps
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NZTopo50-BS19
NZTopo50-BS20 |
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Altitude
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10m
–
150m
Altitude change 140m
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From the car park on the northern bank of the Fox River, follow the forested track to the junction. The track on the riverbank continues on to the Fox River caves (allow about 2 hours if you want to explore these), while the route to the Ballroom fords the Fox River here. The track continues on the true left bank, passing under dramatic cliffs and offering a view of the cave entrance high in the 300m cliffs opposite.
Just before the junction with Dilemma Creek, a side track drops to the river. From here the route follows the riverbed for 30 minutes with several crossings of the Fox River. The Ballroom Overhang is a fluviatile cave, carved by river-scouring. There is ample space for camping underneath.