Forest Park Walks
Broken Hills Mine Walk
Broken Hills is situated 19kms south of Tairua at Hikuai in the the Puketui Valley. There are a number of walking tracks available each of varying lengths. The area was once a thriving goldfield in the early 1900s. Here you'll find relics of the gold mining past still in evidence, which are easily accessible via a network of walking tracks. Apart from being a hub for goldmining, the area was also extensively logged for kauri of which only a few patches of unmodified forest still remains.
The forest and its picturesque river setting provides many opportunities for walking, swimming, canoeing, trout fishing, fossicking, rafting, bird watching, photography, picnicking and camping.
You'll find that most tracks at Broken Hills are gravel but well formed for the avid walker. There are maps of the tracks placed around the area as a guide making the experience that little bit more helpful, if you wish there are guided walks available, please contact the local tourist information centre of the Department of Conservation for more information - +64 7 867 9180. Please use this link for Department of Conservation information about the walks available.
Directions: Access can be sort via Morrisons Road. Start from the opposite of the Pauanui turnoff at Prescotts Mobil service station, (19km south of Tairua and 27km north of Whangamata). Travel for 1km, just before crossing the Tairua River, then turn left onto Puketui Road, Broken Hills is then just 6km along the unsealed road.
Luck At Last Mine
There is a well sign posted track here that provides a scenic walk to gold mine ruins where you'll be able to view the old mining relics.
The track winds through a scrubby harvested landscape and then descends to the old level carriageway which is sided by native trees and the Wharekawa stream. After about a 50-60 minute walk from the car park the track will then come to a bridge upon which you'll turn right, and after a short distance you'll first begin to view the battery site. The walk will take a total of 2 hours return trip.
Directions: The mine and its walk is located 7km north of Whangamata, just past the Onemana Turn off, Turn left onto Taungatara Road and drive for 3km along the road till just before the first concrete river crossing. You'll find parking on the right, and the track will start on the left.
Wharekawa Harbour Wildlife Refuge
At the southern end of Opoutere Beach you'll find the Wharekawa harbour Wildlife Refuge which is a breeding area and sanctuary for New Zealand dotterel and the variable oyster catcher. The track starts from the wooden footbridge and follows the track through a grove of pine trees. Once you reach the beach you'll need to turn right and walk along the shore. After about 500m you'll find a boarded walkway which crosses the sandspit. At low tide you can follow the estuary most of the way back to the carpark, of course if its high tide you will not be able to.
This is a popular area for bird watching while the beach and area itself offers a picturesque walk.
Directions: Leaving from Whangamata you'll have to drive north on SH25 for 11kms until you reach the turnoff to Opotuere. Approximately 4kms from the turnoff you'll find the carpark which gives access to the walk.
Parakiwai Valley
The Parakiwai Valley walk offers quite a few gold mining relics with a picturesque waterfall at the end. The walk takes you through the old lower tramway track through a 20m tunnel. The valley offers a number of smaller walks which branch off the main walking track. It is recommended that you stay on the main track.
The walk will take you around 3 1/2 hours return trip.
Tip: Sections of this walk are not well marked after about 30 minutes, the two orange triangles indicate that the track is bearing to the left.
Directions: You'll have to drive south from Whangamata township drive on SH25 for about 6km. Then turn right off the highway onto Parakiwai Quarry Road. You'll find the beginning of the track at the far end of the car park, situated at the road end a further 2.5km.
Wentworth Valley
The Wentworth Valley offers an easy walking track which takes you from the campground to Wentworth Falls.
The track follows alongside the Wentworth River and offers two bridged crossings before rising to a view of the falls. The falls are in two drops of about 20 metres each. If you continue along a steeper section of the track this will lead you to a basin at the top of the falls.
For the experienced trampers, there is access across the main range to Maratoto Road (approx 5 hours). There is also an alternative short walk from the concrete ford at the end of Wentworth Valley Road which passes through the forest and alongside the river. From this track there are two mine shafts visible before it drops down to the stream, this track offers a picnic area approx 30 min from the contrete ford, the whole walk takes about 2 hours return trip.
Tip: For those wanting to overnight there is a campground at the start of the track.
Directions: Drive south from Whangamata townshipon SH25 for about 2.5km then turn right off the highway onto Wentworth Valley Road. The track begins at the end of the road.
The Kauaeranga Kauri Trail offers a variety of walks with spectacular views of the bush, mountains and coastline of the Coromandel.
There are three walks associated with the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail;
Kauaeranga road end - Billygoat circuit - Time: 4 - 5 hr
Kauaeranga Roadend - Pinnacles Hut - Time: 2.5 - 3 hr one way
Pinnacles Hut - Pinnacles -Time 40mins one way.
Please visit this link for detailed information on their access and accommodation available.
Kauaeranga Kauri Trail
Coromandel
Forest Park Map
Coromandel Forest Park stretches the length
of the peninsula. The park begins at Thames with
various entry points throughout the Coromandel.
The park is popular for walks and hunting.
Please be aware of areas used for hunting if your
going to go off trail.
Below we have listed the most popular walks
within the park.
Please visit this link for detailed information
on all walks available within the Coromandel.
http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/tracks-and-walks/coromandel/coromandel/
zoom out to view
Coromandel Forest Park Walks
Whitianga, Hahei, Thames, Tairua, Pauanui, Whangamata, Waihi.
Alan Cressler
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