Inside one of the limestone caves
Rimu Trees
Ocean at Karamea
Charming Creek Waterfall
Walk to Moria's Gate arch
Inside Moria's Gate Arch
Oparara's Arch
Along the Heaphy Track
Nikau Palms
This past weekend was the Queen's Birthday weekend (a long weekend similar to the Victoria Day weekend). I went to the west coast with the Christchurch Tramping Club. It was an excellent trip- it's so hard to believe that in just 4 hours your arrive at the other side of the island with such different geography! On the first day we did a portion of the Heaphy track which is one of New Zealand's great walks- and the scenery was fantastic. The forest was all Nikau palms. The next day we went to Oparara's arch and Moria Gate arch (the name is inspired by the Arch of Moria in Lord of the Rings). They are natural limestone tunnels formed by the Oparara River. The forest here was different again- very tropical. We also checked out some really huge deep caves, which also had glowworms. On the way home we did an hour's hike to huge waterfall as well as a couple 20 minute walks. Brad also had a wonderful weekend doing what he loves- golfing.
It looks very nice, must've been humid and a bit chilly in the cave. Good pics, very diverse landscape.
ReplyDeleteYeah the caves were cool and humid- but we were actually really lucky with the weather. It usually rains a lot on the west coast- and although it rained a bit when we were there, it was all when we were finished hiking for the day, and at night.
ReplyDeleteI really like this particular place! If I get to visit you :), I would love to see these caves, archs and waterfalls! What are glowworms? Are we able to see them in your picture?
ReplyDeleteYou can't really get pictures of them- they glow in the dark inside the caves. They look like stars on the roof of the cave. Yes, I recommend this area. But then there are supposedly dozens of other places to get to that are equally or more amazing that I haven't been to yet!
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