A visit to the Ōpārara Arches is the one absolute must-do in the Kahurangi National Park. Don’t make the mistake of wandering down the Heaphy Track and ending up out of time to get to Ōpārara. Allow 2 to 3 hours once you are there!
To get there, take McCallums Mill Rd. This narrow, winding metal road is not suited to campervans. Check first at the Karamea visitor centre before taking even a small van there. If you can’t, you should be able to arrange transport.
When you get there, the short walks to the Ōpārara Arch, Mirror Tarn, and Moira Gate loop are through stunning rainforest. The reflections, local white stone, and plant tannins that affect the colour of the water add to the natural drama. There are endangered but very friendly South Island robins hanging about as well. Then there are the arches; stunning is an understatement! If you have limited time, Moira Gate is more photogenic.
You can also use Ōpārara as a starting point for a day hike along the Ōpārara Valley to link up with the Fenian Track near the Fenian Caves (accessible with a torch), but you need to organise transport at each end.
