Story: Limestone country

Ōpārara Arch (2nd of 3)

Ōpārara Arch

This natural arch north of Karamea on the West Coast was formed by the Ōpārara River. The river has slowly dissolved the 35-million-year-old limestone into a series of three arches. Ōpārara Arch is 219 metres long and 79 metres wide. Its roof rises 43 metres above the river. A local story has it that if you spend enough time in the Karamea pub you’ll hear how someone once flew a plane through the arch. While untrue, the story does hint at its size – it is reputed to be the largest limestone arch in Australasia.

Using this item

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reference: CT006681
Photograph by Mark Strange

Permission of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Paul Williams, 'Limestone country - Other karst features', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/12405/oparara-arch (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Paul Williams, published 24 Sep 2007