Photo: Waitomo Mangapohue Natural Bridge New Zealand

A natural limestone arch makes up the Mangapohue Natural Bridge in Waitomo on the North Island of New Zealand.

A tourist hikes up the staircase after exploring the natural beauty of the Mangapohue Natural Bridge in Waitomo on the North Island of New Zealand. The trail follows along side the Mangapohue stream until it reaches this limestone arch that stands seventeen metres high and once made up part of the entire cave system around the Waitomo area.

This is the only area along the Mangapohue Natural Bridge Scenic Reserve that is left of the cave system and from just inside the archway, you can look out into a world of lush green wilderness. As the opening to the cave is always coming face to face with daylight, moss and algae continues to thrive along the roof and rock ledges.

The entire trip to the Mangapohue Natural Bridge in Waitomo is about a twenty-five minute hike but if you continued on to the fossilized oysters your time will be increased a bit. This area of Waitomo must be seen while traveling to the North Island of New Zealand where you can explore the natural world of Waikato, New Zealand. ... continue below the picture...

This picture is part of the photo album "New Zealand Attractions" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.

... The Mangapohue Natural Bridge has a strong spiritual and cultural meaning to the Maori people and tourists love to learn of their tales while here.

There is a picnic area at the beginning of the trail where you can have lunch as you relax and enjoy the scenery around this part of New Zealand. Waikato is full of interesting trails that one can journey upon and a map book is available at the Waitomo Museum which is within walking distance from hte Mangapohue Natural Bridge Scenic Reserve.

Mangapohue Natural Bridge at the Mangapohue Natural Bridge Scenic Reserve, Waitomo, North Island, New Zealand.