Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
verbug trips on four West Coast rivers, plus mountain-bike hire, and advice on local ex-
cursions.
Heaphy Track
The West Coast road ends 14km from Karamea at
Kohaihai
, the western trailhead (and
most commonly, the finish point) of the Heaphy Track, where there's also a
DOC camp-
site
(Department of Conservation; adult/child $6)
. A day walk or overnight stay can readily
be had from here. Walk to
Scotts Beach
(1½ hours return), or go as far as the fabulous
new
Heaphy Hut
(huts/campsites $32/14)
(five hours) and stay a night or two before re-
turning.
This section can also be mountain-biked, as can the whole track (two to three days)
from May to September; ask at Westport's Habitat Sports (
Click here
)
for bike hire and
details.
Helicopter Charter Karamea
( 03-782 6111;
www.karameahelicharter.co.nz
;
79 Waverley
St)
can fly up to three people through to the northern trailhead in Golden Bay for $750;
ask about other possible drop-off/pick-up points and bike transfers.
For detailed information on negotiating the Heaphy Track,
Click here
, or check out
DON'T MISS
OPARARA VALLEY
To quote a local: 'if this were anywhere else, there'd be hordes streaming in.' Too
true. Lying within Kahurangi National Park, the
Oparara Basin
is a natural spectacle
of the highest order - a hidden valley concealing wonders such as limestone
arches and strange caves within a thick forest of massive, moss-laden trees that
tower over an undergrowth of Dr Seuss-esque form in every imaginable hue of
green. Excellent information panels can be perused at the main car park and picnic
area.
The valley's signature sight is the 200m-long, 37m-high
Oparara Arch
, spanning
the picturesque Oparara River - home to the super-cute, rare blue duck (whio)-
which wends alongside the easy walkway (45 minutes return). The smaller but no
less stunning
Moria Gate Arch
(43m long, 19m high) is reached via a simply divine
forest loop walk (1½ hours) which also passes the
Mirror Tarn
.
Just a 10-minute walk from the second car park are the
Crazy Paving & Box
Canyon Caves
. Take your torch to enter a world of weird subterranean shapes and
rare, leggy spiders. Spiders, caves, darkness… sound like fun?
