Yesterday we drove the very hilly, winding road from Seddonville to Karamea, not a huge distance but we took it slowly up and over the bluff before arriving at the settlement of Karamea with bush clad hills on one side and sea on the other. We are still enjoying the good weather and it is quite warm here.
Today (Sunday) we drove the 26km along a winding narrow gravel road to Oparara to see the Limestone Arches and Caves in the Kahurangi National Park at the other end. First up was a 30 min walk into the Oparara Arch one of the two accessible arches where you do not require a guide. Nice well formed track from a DOC information shelter. It’s only when you see the facilities (shelters, toilets and information boards) that you appreciate the work done by DOC.
The Oparara Arch
Another 2.5 km up the road took us to the Crazy Paving and Box Canyon Caves, the crazy paving pattern is caused by dried out mud on the floor of the cave and just takes you into an increasing smaller space until it runs out.
Crazy Paving Pauline on the Way Out
Up the next track and we came to the Box Canyon Cave a deep cave which you are able to walk in unguided. Supposed to be full of Wetas and Spiders but none evident today.
Back in the cars and further up the road until we reached Kohaihai – the end of the road on this part of the West Coast and the starting point for the Heaphy Track. A nice DOC Camping spot.
We walked down to the Suspension Bridge so we could say we had walked on the Heaphy Track - even if it was only 500 metres or so !
The Start of the Heaphy Track
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