Karangahake

Karangahake Gorge
The Karangahake Gorge, between Waihi and Paeroa is packed with gold-mining history and many of the old relics of the gold mining days are accessible through a variety of walks. This area was once the busiest and most lucrative gold mining area in New Zealand. The Waikino Cafe located in the Gorge (7.5km from Waihi and 15km from Paeroa), hosts a Visitor Centre that has displays with information showing the attractions of the Karangahake Gorge area. Shorter and longer walks along the Ohinemuri and Waitawheta Rivers take visitors through beautiful countryside, historic gold mining sites and mine tunnels. Tip: As an alternative way of getting to the Karangahake Gorge, Goldfields Steam Train operate a daily service between the Waihi Railway Station and Waikino Station Café.

Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
This fascinating walk follows the old Paeroa to Waihi railway line, with the remainder of the track following the banks of the Ohinemuri River. Old mine buildings and machinery can be seen from a number of locations along the walkway.
Directions: Situated between Paeroa and Waihi, and is serviced by four carparks, located at the Waikino Visitor Centre, Waitawheta Road, Karangahake Reserve and Crown Hill Road.
Time: Two hours one-way. (Allow 45 minutes for the loop section.) Distance is 7 kilometres incorporating a 2 km loop walk).

Orokawa Bay

A walk to Orokawa Bay is a treat in store with spectacular views enroute of the Pacific Ocean and Waihi Beach. This bay has to be one of the finest scenic jewels in the Bay of Plenty area, with its beautiful pohutukawa trees leaning right over the beach of sparkling white sand.

Orokawa Bay offers great fishing, picnicking, bush walking and surfing opportunities. Orokawa Bay and domain is designated scenic reserve and comprises 145 hectares of native bush, including kauri. Access to Orokawa Bay is by an easy and very popular track at the northern end of Waihi Beach, past Oukori Bay then down to Orokawa Bay. Walkers should allow 45 minutes to reach this secluded beach.

Talisman Battery

Latest developments by the Department of Conservation in the Karangahake Gorge have seen the upgrade of this track. Along the track visitors can observe relics of the many processes that took place in extracting gold - from the tunnels where rock was extracted, to the roasting pits where the rock was broken down, and finally remnants of the huge stamper battery processing plant. The Talisman battery, built in the 1890s was huge in its day, with 50 stampers crushing rock around the clock. Further initiatives in the development of this walkway are the reconstruction of the tramlines that were used to transport rock to the battery and a number of interpretive boards will be mounted along the walk.

Tip: Ensure you stop at the Visitor Centre at the Waikino Café to look at the old black and white photos to get an idea of the size of the community that flourished in the Karangahake Gorge during the gold mining era.
Directions: Just off SH2 between Paeroa and Waihi. The walk starts in the Karangahake Gorge carpark area.
Time: About an hour round trip, though it's easy to linger longer.

Waitawheta Tramway

The Waitawheta Tramway was constructed between 1896 and 1910 to transport kauri logs out of the Waitawheta Valley. The valley is another example of early pioneers pillaging the land and reminders of their activities still remain including the tramway. Today the route of the old tramway forms a walking track through the spectacular cliffs and bluffs of the gorge.

Directions: The track is located in the Waitawheta Valley and can be accessed from Waihi along SH2. From Waihi travel on SH2 towards Paeroa, turn left onto the Waitawhta Road, 2km past the Waikino Cafe. Continue along the Waitawheta Road and turn right into Franklin Road until the road ends. Access to the track is over farmland, 200m past the carpark.
Time: 6-7 hours return. Visitors can overnight in the Waitawheta Hut (fairly basic) at the end of the track.
Note: The track includes six crossings of the Waitawhata river. Visitors should not attempt to walk the track if conditions are wet as the river can rise quickly.