The Karamatura Valley is a short scenic swath of green enclosed by towering rock walls with a steep cascading stream pouring down its middle. An easy 40-minute walking loop takes you upstream past a couple of swimming holes before ascending to a lookout and then circling back down.
The lesser-known and more delightful feature of this stream is that from the top of the loop, if you keep going on the Karamatura track for another 15 minutes, you’ll find a spur track over to a sleek waterfall pouring into a deep swimming hole. This extra 15-minutes of track is a slippery roots ‘n’ rocks affair which the carpark mapboard discourages you from exploring. Good. All the better—have the nice pool to yourself. Doff your togs and bomb away!
And, since you mentioned skinnydipping…for a different sort of adventure you may want to scout out the informal nude beach at nearby Orpheus cove. On the road to Huia, just before it descends to the town, you’ll see the Huia Lookout road. Down this road about 150m you can park and look on the left for the marked stepped track down to the beach. If there are cars above, then there are naked people below. Don’t go to gawk, go to strip!
