Just down the road from Punakaiki is the Truman Track – a short but spectacular stroll through some unspoiled subtropical rainforest down to the rugged coast.
We’ve done this walk a few times over the years and this time around I lingered in the enchanted forest of podocarps, rātās and nīkau palms, drinking in it’s wonders so didn’t get down to the coast. It’s an amazingly rich environment and full of surprises when you slow down, observe and absorb.
This West Coast walking track is a must-do if you’re visiting the area and want to experience some unspoiled natural New Zealand.
A few snippets from along the way:


![A Couple of Minutes of Calm with Cosmos Wildflowers [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/COSMOS_extravaganza-120x120.webp)
![Tuatara Release on Nov 6 2024 - Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, Nelson, New Zealand [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/TUATARA_RELEASE_V2025-03-28-120x120.webp)
![Fabulous Fungi in the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary - Nelson, New Zealand [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/Fab_Fungi_2024-08_v5a-120x120.webp)
![Fungi in The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary - Nelson, NZ [Images]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/Fungi_Brook_Waimarama-Sanctuary_NZ-120x120.webp)
![Unreliable Artefacts - An Exhibition by Lee Woodman, Nelson NZ - April 2023 [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/unreliable-artifacts-feat-img_v2-120x120.webp)
![New Zealand Fantail | Pīwakawaka - Takes a Bath [Video/Pics]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/FANTAIL_feat-img_2023-05-12-100x100.webp)
![Bellbird | Korimako - Bird Song - Lake Rotoiti, Nelson Lakes NP, New Zealand [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/BELLBIRD_feat-img_2023-06-17-2-100x100.webp)
![Prickly Stick Insect Encounter - Acanthoxyla prasina [Video/Images]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/prickly-stick-insect-feat-img-2023-06-08-100x100.webp)
![The Secret Life of Ladybirds - Steelblue Ladybirds Sharing Apple with Snail [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/ladybirds-snail-feat-img_2023-06-04-100x100.webp)
![Unreliable Artefacts - An Exhibition by Lee Woodman, Nelson NZ - April 2023 [Images]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/roxanne-sign-lee-woodman-nelson-2023-100x100.webp)
![Lewis Pass Scenic Tarn - New Zealand [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/lewis-pass-tarn-featured-pic-100x100.jpg)
![The Honeydew Walk - Lake Rotoiti - Nelson Lakes NP, NZ [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/honeydew-walk-rotoiti-100x100.webp)
![Ōhau Point Fur Seal Colony - Kaikōura, NZ [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/Ohau-point-seals-2022-feat-100x100.jpg)
![Hapuku Beach at Dusk - Kaikōura, NZ [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/hapuku-beach-2022_feat-100x100.jpg)
![Pororari River Track - West Coast, New Zealand [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/pororari-river-track-feat-img-100x100.webp)
![Truman Track - West Coast, New Zealand [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/P1133514_ver0-dt400fp_Truman-Feat-Img-100x100.jpg)
![Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - West Coast, New Zealand [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/punakaiki-pancake-rocks-feat-img2-100x100.jpg)
![Seals at the Otumatu Wildlife Reserve - Kaikōura [Video]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/otumatu-rock-feat-img4-100x100.webp)
![Lotus Eaters Lullaby - Exhibition by Lee Woodman, Refinery ArtSpace, Nelson, 2022 [Images]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/valley-of-broken-screens-lee-woodman-100x100.webp)
!['Surrogate' - Installation by Lee Woodman - October 2021, 18a Project Space, Nelson, NZ [Images]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/surrogate-poster-3-100x100.webp)
![Push Play - Sound Sculpture by Lee Woodman - October 2021, 18a Project Space, Nelson, NZ [Images]](https://lifeform.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/Push-Play-Installation-Woodman_Nelson_2021-100x100.webp)


