Pohara Natural Bridge

Tarakohe Archway


Useful Information

Location: Tarakohe Rock, Ligar Bay, Tasman.
Open: No restrictions.
[2022]
Fee: free.
[2022]
Classification: SpeleologyKarst cave TopicCaves Used as Road Tunnels
Light: bring torch
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As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then.
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History


Description

The Pohara Natural Bridge is a natural cave located in a rock protruding towards the Tasman Sea between the two islands of New Zealand. The through cave offered always a good means to get from one cove to the next. When the coast road Abel Tasman Drive was built, it was built right through the cave. So this is one of the rare occasions a natural cave is used as a road tunnel. If you make a scenic drive on Abel Tasman, be sure to drive slowly around Tarakohe Rock.

The natural bridge is also called Tarakohe Archway derived from the name of the protruding rock. The limestone of the area has been quarried for the production of cement, but the quarry is abandoned now. The small harbour has also the name of the rock, Tarakohe Wharf or Port Tarakohe, and the tunnel is sometimes even called Port Tarakohe Tunnel.