![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/2013-02-16.jpg "Moria Gate Arch")
Today, I explored the Karst formations of the Oparara Basin As the original explorers were reminded of Tolkien's Middle Earth by this area, a lot of place names are references to "Lord of the Rings", like the Moria Gate Arch.
The Karst formations proved to be truly spectacular, especially the two stone arches through which the river is flowing.
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/aw.jpg "Crazy Paving Cave")
Crazy Paving Cave
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/ax.jpg "Box Canyon Cave")
Box Canyon Cave
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/ay.jpg "Weka (Woodhen)")
Weka (Woodhen)
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/az.jpg "Toutouwai (South Island Robin)")
Toutouwai (South Island Robin)
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/b1.jpg "Oparara Basin")
Oparara Basin
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/b0.jpg "Oparara Basin")
Oparara Basin
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/b2.jpg "Mirror Tarn")
Mirror Tarn
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/b4.jpg "Moria Gate Arch")
Moria Gate Arch
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/b5.jpg "Oparara Arch")
![[Picture]](../../../../regions/nz/south/thumb/b6.jpg "Oparara Arch")
Oparara Arch
This blog entry is an abridged version of the original entry in German.