Marios Gavalas
Author And Researcher
I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.
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2 km return | 50 minutes return
The Oparara Basin boasts impressive limestone formations and is surrounded by truly magnificent bush, and is home to the Powelliphanta – carnivorous snails which are up to 70mm across.
The arch is a limestone sculpture on a grand scale.
11 km north of Karamea turn left into McCallums Mill Road where Oparara Basin is signposted. The road becomes unsealed and is unsuitable for campervans. There is a maximum height restriction of 2.8m.
The road twists and turns, climbing over the ridge before dipping into the basin. At the start of the track is a large shelter with picnic tables, toilets and well-presented interpretation on the geology, history and work of the Oparara Valley Trust. The start of the track is signposted at the far end of the large parking area.
This well-formed track follows the Oparara River through dense, moss festooned beech/podocarp forest. The tannin-stained waters, light rounded river pebbles and rich greens of the forest are a visual and photographer’s treat. There are some rocky and uneven sections especially when you arrive at the massive arch.
Like most limestone in New Zealand, it was laid down on a shallow sea floor at a time when global and se temperatures were warmer during the Oligocene around 34 million years ago. At Karamea, the folding of the crustal layers have overlain the limestone on the Karamea granite, a much older rock at over 350 million years.
During most recent times, the Oparara River has cut these arches through the softer limestone. The grandeur is impressive. The largest arch is 200 metres long and 50 metres high.
New Zealand’s largest spider Speulngula cavernocola - as it’s name would suggest, inhabits the dark caverns of the caves. It feeds on cave weta, no diminutive creatures themselves.
If you come at night, glow worms light the sides and roof like the celestial sphere.
The large carnivorous land snail Powelliphanta annectens feeds on the forest floor. It prefers these calcium-rich soils because of its requirement to grow such a massive shell. These can be found strewn beside the track. Both snail and shell are protected.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC West CoastCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Karamea |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Feature | Value | Info |
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Track Length |
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Track LengthWhat is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km |
Track Duration |
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Track DurationHow long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour |
Track Difficulty |
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Track DifficultyConsidering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk |
Payment Requirement |
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Payment RequirementIs there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in. |
Large Vehicle Access |
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Large Vehicle AccessCan large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. |
DOC Track Category |
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DOC Track CategoryWhat type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. There may be steps or slopes. Suitable for people of most abilities and fitness. Stream and rivers crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Disabled Access |
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Disabled AccessDoes this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs. |
Crowd Factor |
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Crowd FactorHow crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either. |
Track Managing Organisation |
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Track Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Hidden gem, arches and caves near Karamea.
Long drive on a gravel road through exotic bush.
This site is worth the 110km gravel road.
A well serviced area (DoC), short or long walks.
Great walk, very impressive views
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 17 |
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52% |
9/10 | 10 |
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30% |
8/10 | 5 |
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15% |
7/10 | 0 |
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0% |
6/10 | 0 |
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0% |
5/10 | 0 |
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0% |
4/10 | 0 |
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0% |
3/10 | 1 |
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3% |
2/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1/10 | 0 |
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0% |
1.5/5
We took the guided walk -a group of 8people.this was recommended by TripAdvisor!
There are no complaints about the track or the scenery it was pretty cool .However our guide (the trip was $90 per person) was pretty average .on a single track she was stopping and talking about things on the track but only the 2people at the front of the group could hear.We pointed this out to her but nothing seemed to change.I did put a neutral customer survey in.However as we we're travelling in a group organised by another member I only found out the cost of the trip later and was horrified! Some of the accuracy of information about trees etc was not that good. In reality your guides need some more training in communication to groups.This is not just a random rant I have been involved in tourism as a guide for over 15 years in Bay of Islands;;Queenstown and Marlborough. Hopefully this will be taken as positive crititism cheers
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
This place is one of the 7 wonders of this world.
There are two incredible caves which are a short walk from the carpark. Enter a huge rock through a small tunnel which opens beside a river.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
This site is worth the 110km gravel road.
We took our Toyota HiAce small campervan on the gravel road with no problems. The Arch is beautiful with a short walk to get there. Plus, the other Arch is accessed from the same carpark.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
4.5/5
As it is a bit off the beaten track, there is not much publicity.
Most beautiful forest walks to the very impressive arches. Highly recommend to go there, although quite remote.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.5/5
It is nice to discover some cool nature buildings without many tourists.
The caves are good too.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
It is nice to discover some cool nature buildings without many tourists.
The caves are good too. If Karamea was somewhere else, there would be hundreds of tourists.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Gorgeous walks, mostly well signposted through thick rainforest.
Walks to the Mirror Tarn and Moria Arch and Oparara Arch were all stunning.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Absolutely stunning landscape and rivers along the well formed tracks.
Very easy and short walks suitable for all levels of fitness.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Allow two hours for both Oparara Arch and Moira Gate Arch - 45 minute drive (windy, dirt track) from Karamea - beautiful rainforest and well worth the trip.
Arches were out of this world - raining but still amazing.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.0/5
Long drive on a gravel road through exotic bush.
Magnificent limestone arches.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
Not a lot of tourists make it up here, it is a long challenging gravel road to get there, but once you walk down to the arches, it is well worth it!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Nice walk through beautiful forest and impressive limestone arches.
Do not stop walking cause you will be eaten alive by sandflies.....
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
1.5/5
We took the guided walk -a group of 8people.this was recommended by TripAdvisor!
There are no complaints about the track or the scenery it was pretty cool .However our guide (the trip was $90 per person) was pretty average .on a single track she was stopping and talking about things on the track but only the 2people at the front of the group could hear.We pointed this out to her but nothing seemed to change.I did put a neutral customer survey in.However as we we're travelling in a group organised by another member I only found out the cost of the trip later and was horrified! Some of the accuracy of information about trees etc was not that good. In reality your guides need some more training in communication to groups.This is not just a random rant I have been involved in tourism as a guide for over 15 years in Bay of Islands;;Queenstown and Marlborough. Hopefully this will be taken as positive crititism cheers
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
This site is worth the 110km gravel road.
We took our Toyota HiAce small campervan on the gravel road with no problems. The Arch is beautiful with a short walk to get there. Plus, the other Arch is accessed from the same carpark.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
5.0/5
This place is one of the 7 wonders of this world.
There are two incredible caves which are a short walk from the carpark. Enter a huge rock through a small tunnel which opens beside a river.
Reviewed about 7 years ago
4.5/5
It is nice to discover some cool nature buildings without many tourists.
The caves are good too.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
It is nice to discover some cool nature buildings without many tourists.
The caves are good too. If Karamea was somewhere else, there would be hundreds of tourists.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Absolutely stunning landscape and rivers along the well formed tracks.
Very easy and short walks suitable for all levels of fitness.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Gorgeous walks, mostly well signposted through thick rainforest.
Walks to the Mirror Tarn and Moria Arch and Oparara Arch were all stunning.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
Allow two hours for both Oparara Arch and Moira Gate Arch - 45 minute drive (windy, dirt track) from Karamea - beautiful rainforest and well worth the trip.
Arches were out of this world - raining but still amazing.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017
4.5/5
As it is a bit off the beaten track, there is not much publicity.
Most beautiful forest walks to the very impressive arches. Highly recommend to go there, although quite remote.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in February 2017
4.0/5
Long drive on a gravel road through exotic bush.
Magnificent limestone arches.
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
4.0/5
Not a lot of tourists make it up here, it is a long challenging gravel road to get there, but once you walk down to the arches, it is well worth it!
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in November 2016
5.0/5
Nice walk through beautiful forest and impressive limestone arches.
Do not stop walking cause you will be eaten alive by sandflies.....
Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Walking through the bush huge arches with a river flowing through, impressive experience because of the age of nature.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in March 2016
4.5/5
Well worth the gravel track to get there.
Easy, well maintained walkway. Good signage and plenty of information about the area.
Reviewed over 8 years ago and experienced in November 2015
4.5/5
A few short walks to caves, arches and a small lake/pond.
All through West Coast bush - lovely! Long gravel road to drive but in a good condition. Informative displays and flush toilets at the carpark.
Reviewed almost 9 years ago
5.0/5
In the middle of a forest - a good track.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
Very beautiful bush walk, beautiful valley, ferns, some nikau, huge old native trees, well formed track, no mud, all bridged, shelter to lunch in.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
5.0/5
Beautiful, 200m cave, nice track through the forest.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
5.0/5
Very beautiful walk, lots of swings, nice river, very natural.
Reviewed about 10 years ago and experienced in March 2014
4.0/5
16km gravel track from main road up to the carpark, we went up in a small campervan, the track is a bit steep and gnarly in places so wouldn't advise taking a motorhome style 'van up there.
Nice easy track to the arch once you reach the carpark, access to the Mirror Tarn and Moira Arch from the same place.
Good information boards and toilets at the carpark
Nice enough but not the wow factor I was expecting from other reviews. If you want a stunning walk through limestone country try the Ruakuri Bush Walk a couple of ks past the Waitomo caves on the North Island.
Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014
5.0/5
A well serviced area (DoC), short or long walks.
Lakes of different colours and with amazing experiences of the arches. Well documented on site.
Reviewed over 10 years ago
5.0/5
the walks we did here were another of the big highlights of our trip.
The water colour was spellbinding and the arches were a big wow. Definitely worth the detour, don't miss it rain or shine.
Reviewed over 12 years ago
5.0/5
Wonderful rainforest, clear creeks.
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
5.0/5
Fantastic - again don't want it spoilt by too many tourists!
Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in February 2012
5.0/5
The road in is a little tight in places, but the walking track to the Arch is great, the cave spectacular, highly recommended.
Reviewed over 13 years ago
5.0/5
Great walk through rainforest to limestone arches.
Sweet little Robins on the way.
Reviewed almost 14 years ago