Walks

The Rail Tunnel Loop

A 1.5-hour loop walk takes you through the kilometre-long rail tunnel (lighting is provided, but a torch is recommended), along the gorgeous river’s edge and through the remains of 19th century mine buildings. This is a great loop, suitable for the family or for anyone wanting to do something a little different. There are numerous places where you can enter the loop - Waikino Station (you will need to cross the road so please do so with care), Karangahake Hall or Karangahake Reserve Carpark. Please note that sections of this track are also used by cyclists so please share with care. Map + Info

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Homunga Bay

After you've had your fill of Orokawa, head further north to Homunga Bay along the coastal walkway. Food, drink, and good shoes essential, as this will take about a further 90 minutes. Words like unspoilt and paradise spring to mind. Passes through private land, so please be courteous to the generous owners who allow visitors to walk through.

Walkers should allow 3 hours from Waihi Beach to Homunga Bay (one way).

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The Windows Walk

The Windows Walk is easily one of the most spectacular walks in the North Island. Windows blasted through the gold mining tunnels providing stunning bird’s eye views into the Waitewheta River. While it could be walked in 30 minutes, visitors should allow a couple of hours to fully explore and experience everything the extended loop walk has to offer.

You can take a recommended side-trip to the remains of the underground Woodstock Pumphouse. Remains of the beam engine and other machinery can be seen inside, as well as the rafters supporting the ceiling. Glow-worms are also visible. A good torch is essential for viewing this unique piece of mining heritage. Map + Info

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Orokawa Bay

With spectacular panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Waihi Beach, a walk to Orokawa Bay is an experience all visitors remember. Beautiful pohutukawa trees shelter a beach of sparkling white sand offering great fishing, a perfect picnic location, bush walking and surfing opportunities. Swimming in the surf is not advised due to the steep grade of the seafloor.

Access to Orokawa Bay is by an easy track at the northern end of Waihi Beach, past Oukori Bay then down to Orokawa Bay. Walkers should allow 45 minutes (one way) to reach this secluded beach. Map

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Trig Walk

The trail is 3km return - about a 90-minute walk return, with some steps and steep bits. The majority of the walk is in the bush so this walk is suitable to do at any time of day.

At the top you will enjoy a spectacular view of Waihi Beach, up the Coromandle coast and east across the Bay of Plenty.

To get there:
Drive up Pacific Rd, go left at the top, park the car in the water reservoir car park. The Water Reservoir Loop start is on the right of the reservoir. The Trig Walk branches off the Loop track near the bridge.

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Karangahake Gorge

Voted as one of the 101 Must Do's for Kiwis. Many Kiwi’s will have driven through the breathtaking Karangahake Gorge but few will have ventured into the walkways, old tunnels, discovered the rich history hidden in the gorge and cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail. Not only is this one of the most stunning stretches of river in the country it was home to one of the busiest and most lucrative goldstrikes in the country.

Karangahake Gorge is located on State Highway 2 between Paeroa and Waihi, about 2 hours drive from Auckland, or 1 hour from Hamilton or Tauranga. Parking is available directly off the State Highway at Karangahake and toilets, rubbish bins and basic visitor information can be accessed at the car park.

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