Road is open but only for vehicles less than 2.8m high (there is a height bar). Our van was too high so we biked in. First 4km are ok, then it is slightly up for about 8km. Then steep down for the last 2km (from the welcome centre). Took 1.5 hours (husband took 29 mins less -better cyclist and better bike). The steep down gives you a sinking feeling as I had to push my bike all the way back up after the walks and caves. Took 35 mins to go up but then only 40mins to bike all the rest of the way out. Caves are great.

Road is open in weekends. Closed on weekdays till 1 december. What an amazing natural wonder. The biggest arch is 200 meter long. When we were there the river flowing through it was very high. An amazing sight. Toilet and picnic areas look all new. The only downsite is the gravel road. Big vans can't drive it. You can rent a car in Karamea

Absolutely amazing, definitely worth the long drive and gravel road. Take the signs seriously - there is height bar so you can’t go through if you’re a tall vehicle. We were fine in our Mazda Bongo, but we’ve been on gravel roads before and were confident. In any doubt I’d avoid it and hire a car, you can’t really turn around!

The road to get to the arches is about 16kms, single lane, unsealed with lots of blind corners. It’s potholed and rutted with few options to pull over if you meet anyone coming the other way. It was a nerve wracking experience as the driver. We got good advice to go in the morning not too late so that if anyone else is using the road they’re also going in the same direction as you. If you go later in the day you will encounter people coming out and then one of you is going to have to reverse a long way until you find somewhere to pull in. We went in late April and the grassy edges were deep slush pits so no pulling in there but you could probably do that in summer. Despite all that it was totally worth it. The arches are different to each other Oparara is a nice easy walk and very striking. Moria is also an easy walk but you have climb down through a cave entrance and then it opens up into spectacular view. Take a head torch for Moria as its pitch dark when you first get in and you need both hands to climb down and hold the guide chain. You don’t have to go down very far, maybe only 4 - 5 metres and then you’re in. Super peaceful location. Another treat here was seeing robins and wekas and listening to the bird song as we walked.

Amazing place! There are restrictions in place for gravel road up there so no campervans, trucks, vehicles with trailers. We just hired a car for the day from Karamea Express. It was worth it

Went up in a Hyundai Santa Fe, roads were fine! Loved the Arch and the caves were pretty neat! Don’t forget to take a torch!!

Don’t go. You can thank me later. The caves and arches are pretty cool to check out if you’re into that kinda thing. The gravel/ dirt/ bumpy track to get there is a 60 mins round trip of suspension bashing drama.

Wow! That’s all we have to say! The arch was absolutely stunning and we are so glad we made the trip out here. We have a Kombi which travelled fine along the road. If you have a spare day, this is worth the trip from Westport 100%

Our camper was too high so we did the tour with the oparara trust. Paid and saw the honeycomb caves and moa bones etc. Tour was great - includes lunch (homemade slice and sandwiches) . Yvonne, the guide was relaxed and we saw one of the arches too. Thoroughly recommend if you wanted to go into the caves that are restricted access. Arches are well worth spending time at too if you don’t want to do the tour.

Very well maintained road!! Easy as with a toyota hiace LWB. Would not recommend bigger vehicles like the sign sais. Drive From Karamea and back take 4 to 5 hours to see both arches.