Oparara Arches

The Oparara River cuts through limestone in the north-west of Kahurangi National Park, and where the roof of old cave passages survived it has left free-standing arches on a scale that is hard to convey - the Oparara Arch is around two hundred metres long and forty-three metres high, with the river running beneath it through rainforest. The water is deep brown from tannins leached out of the forest, so it reflects the rock like polished copper. A twenty-minute walk reaches the big arch; the Moria Gate Arch and Mirror Tarn loop is about an hour and involves ducking through a low entrance to reach a chamber where the river runs out under a hanging fringe of rock. The Honeycomb Hill Caves in the same valley are gated and can only be visited on a guided tour - they hold one of the richest deposits of moa and other extinct bird bones anywhere in the country.

Highlights

• The Oparara Arch - two hundred metres long, forty-three high.
• Moria Gate - entered by ducking, with the river running out beneath.
• The tannin river - deep brown water reflecting the rock.
• Honeycomb Hill - guided tours only, with moa bone deposits.

When to go

November to April. After heavy rain the river rises and some sections flood. The road in is steep, narrow and unsealed - not for large campervans.

Practical notes

Karamea is remote and the road in from Westport is long. The valley road is unsealed and rough. Honeycomb Hill is locked and needs a booked guide. Sandflies are relentless.

Nearby

Karamea and the northern end of the Heaphy Track are close; Westport is south.