15 Rankers Reviews
14 Face-to-Face
20 Owaka
Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!
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It’s dimensions are staggering - 55 metres deep, 144 metres long and 68 wide. It is over 200 metres inland from the sea. The cauldron of swirling water rides up the sheer walls and echoes like the belly rumbles of a dragon.
You are requested to respect the right granted by the landowner to cross private land. The track is closed during lambing, 1 September – 1 November.
From Owaka follow Hina Hina Road and cross the bridge over the Catlins River. Turn left and continue 5 km to Jacks Bay.
At Jacks Bay head right to the parking area at the end of the beach. The track starts from the hill at the far end.
The track follows poles over farmland and stiles, climbing the hill to the fenced area by the blowhole. A track circuits the hole, with a viewing platform at the landward end.
Blowholes such as this are testimony to the power of the sea. Relentless wave action exploits a weakness in the rock structure of the cliffs, steadily enlarging a cavity to form a cave. Where a weakness exits above the fissure, the compression of water and air with the waxing and waning of swells, can cause the overlying rock to collapse, forming a chimney through the rock.
Native vegetation surrounds the enormous blowhole, a curious feature of the surrounding farmland.
Jacks Blowhole takes its name from Tuhawaiki, a notable chief of southern Maori who reached notoriety for his battled against the infamous Te Rauparaha, a bloodthirsty North Island chief. Jack (his European name) once swam from False Islet to Jack’s Island, a distance of 8 km, to evade capture after a skirmish.
It is said the blowhole was discovered by Europeans in 1875. One local farmer was out looking for stray stock when he stumbled on the aperture in the ground, only metres from its edge.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Southland ▷ Owaka |
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Showing 13 reviews of 15.
Charlotte Molesworth
Ranking: 6/10
Good walk along the coast. Can be quite steep at times - the actual blowhole possibly being better on a rough day to see the waves crashing through.
Luke
Ranking: 8/10
Steady walk to the blowhole which was impressive to watch the sea crash against the rocks.
Caroline
Ranking: 10/10
All the free walks are very nice and very well maintained. Bridges and walkways are with lots of care and very respectfully built. Toilets at the starting point are always cool and with paper and soap.
Clayton Hunniford
Ranking: 7/10
Mildly interesting reward for a short, easy walk. Always admire the forces of nature but wish there was a closer view to the blowhole.
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Patrick Edwards
Ranking: 6/10
Think that the conditions may not have been ideal to see the hole in full force. Walk up was nice though and the blowhole is cool to see even when not blowing.
Frederieke
Ranking: 6/10
Short walk. Even if it is not working because of the wrong tide it is quite interesting.
Saskia
Ranking: 10/10
Beautiful walk to get there and a fun thing to see.
Michele
Ranking: 7/10
Don't believe what they say - it's not an easy walk.. you need a moderate level of fitness as some parts are v steep. Also the sign at the start of the track says 20 mins (this is a lie!) It is 1 hour return at least. However, it was worth it in the end to see Jacks Blowhole! Great views from up high too.
Marie
Ranking: 9/10
Nice and easy walk, amazing view at the blowhole.
Bettina Fluhrer
Ranking: 10/10
Unbelievable how big the hole is and the force of the sea. A beautiful calm and wonderful place!!
Stefan
Ranking: 10/10
A very incredible hole. Shows you the force of the sea.
Robert Cox
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful scenery.
Bowness
Ranking: 8/10
Lovely walk to blowhole. Views down the coast.
Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍