Tag Archives: Waihi

Coromandel Walks

The Coromandel and Bay of Plenty area has many fine documented walks, and brochures are available from various information sites including Katikati, Waihi and Whangamata.

Easter 2013 our small group did three walks:

Wentworth Falls (near Whangamata) follows the stream to the lookout and top of the Falls. It is a steady climb through native bush. Well worth the effort.
Read more: Wentworth Valley Walk

Karangahake Gorge (between Paeroa and Waihi) is an interesting place to explore. There are the remains of the historic gold mining industrial town amidst the native bush. There are many walking track options and there is now a new cycleway. Be sure to take a strong torch to explore the tunnels.
Read more: Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway

The Bird Walk: Uretara Estuary & Yeoman Walkway at Katikati, follows the estuary out to the Bay. It is a flat walk and if you a keen birdwatcher, take along your binoculars and you will have the opportunity to observe shore birds in the estuary and the wetlands. The walk continues past the wetlands along the front of residential homes.
Learn more: Bird Walk: the Uretara Estuary & Yeoman Walkway

Easter 2014: This time we did a loop walk around Whangamata taking in the estuary, the river, the marina and the famous surf beach.

January 2015: Wharekirauponga Track

Martha Goldmine Pit Rim Walkway

Time for an out-of-Auckland walk.  The Martha Goldmine Pit Rim Walkway in Waihi is an interesting one hour walk.  The walkway has been developing over the last few years and since I last walked it about two years ago, further work on it has progressed.  Future plans are to turn the huge hole into a fresh water swimming lake.

But for now it is an education and a workout!  I like to start the walk opposite the Information centre in Seddon Street and turn left at the battery to walk in a clock-wise direction.  There are many places to stop and view the workings and machinery, plus read the information pinned onto the fence.

The walk is good on a cloudy cool day as in the middle of summer there is little shade.  There are slight uphills, a small shelter-belt of native bush and open grasslands and waterways, that provide contrast.  After rain, there are wet parts so it is wise to wear waterproof footwear.

Learn more, visit Waihi’s Walkways

Walks in Auckland – weekend in the Coromandel

As much as I enjoy going for walks in Auckland, it is also refreshing to head out of town.

Our family has a holiday house on the south-east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.  The Coromandel is mostly an unspoilt part of New Zealand with beautiful beaches, many walk paths and natural bush.  I love going there to relax and refresh myself.

It is only a two hour drive for us from Auckland via Paeoroa and the Karangahake Gorge.  Two places that are worth stopping at.  The Gorge has interesting walks and mining tunnels that are fun to explore with torches.

You can choose from a variety of walks in the Coromandel region, no matter where you stay. There is a great uphill walk (that I suggest you do on a cool day) to the Wentworth Falls near Whangamata that I enjoy. And another walk for cool days is around the Martha Mine in the gold mining town of Waihi – I like to go around that anti-clockwise. From the northern end of Waihi Beach is a track that leads to the spectacular secluded beach of Orokawa Bay with the typical pohutukawa trees providing shade at the edge of the sand.

In the future I will be putting together some family day trips from Auckland that will include interesting places to visit.