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Thursday 16 April 2020

Karangahake Gorge


Karangahake Gorge, lying at the southern edge of the Coromandel Peninsular, combines history and natural beauty to make a great place to visit.  A range of walking options (all free) are offered here, from short trips through to full-day hikes.


There are several access points along the gorge to the various walkways.  This swing bridge leads from one of the parking areas to join up with the walkway on the other side of the river.


The Gorge is a nationally significant gold heritage site, and once bustled with a maze of bridges, trams, water races and gold mines.  Evidence of these activities can still be found along the various trails.


There are tunnels to explore, often with glow-worms, and old railway workings to wander around.  On certain days a restored section of rail operates rides on a steam train for paying customers.

Smaller streams are often crossed by swing bridges – not my most favourite, especially if they like to “swing” or bounce around a lot!



I prefer my bridges to be more stationary, like this one.


This waterfall is almost at one end of the walkway system, and is the one most easily accessible from the road.


The drive through the Gorge allows many great river views, but unfortunately there are few places to stop safely so photos have to be of the memory-kind.

The Ohinemuri River might be pretty to look at but it can also be very wild.  Most winters it will flood, and occasionally it will rise high enough to force the road to be closed.


One day soon I am going to return to this place and have another wander around.  There is always something different to see.

Take care,
Margaret.





20 comments:

  1. Your country is just so beautiful...I would have loved to got to come there in my lifetime. I love your views of this river...it is just so beautiful.

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  2. What a lovely place to visit. I love waterfalls and that one is spectacular. Is this area a matter of hours drive or more like a couple of days ( from where you live)?

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    1. It is only about an hour away from us - or a little more if I am driving!

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  3. Have driven through there many times but not done the walks.

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  4. Hello Margaret - I've come to your blog via Sue at "My Quiet Life in Suffolk". I'm in Wellington, NZ, am 55 and live with Megs the cat. My maternal Grandmother was born in Karangahake in 1903. It must have been a bustling place back then!
    Take care, Michelle

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    1. Welcome Michelle :)
      Yes, I believe it was a very busy place back then. Much quieter now!

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  5. Huhh, swing bridges frighten me ;-)
    And ohhh, I haven´t seen glow-worms in ages!
    Beautiful landscape indeed - to freedom, soon! Ixx

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  6. Hi Margaret, I've come to your blog via Balancing Kiwi's blog. We're not too far away from you, we've recently moved from a lifestyleblock near Whatawhata to Raglan. We started out in Hamilton 16 years ago after moving from the UK, our first LSB was in Rotokauri, after 3 yrs we moved to Karakariki until just over a month ago. It was excellent timing on our part, just on time for lockdown

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    1. Welcome The Webbers :)
      You were certainly lucky with the timing of your move - I hope you are settling nicely into your new home. There are some lovely areas in and around Raglan.

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  7. Now this is a Gorge-ous place! I would love to do hikes on those any time (excpet in heavy rains I think). It's super hot here these past couple of days reaching heat indexes of 36-38. But we are so blessed this afternoon that rain visited us about half an hour. Please be well Margaret!

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  8. I would love to walk those trails and do some birding, with a little general nature study thrown in. How sweet that would be!

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  9. I just love hearing the name of the gorge. It's a beautiful drive though not so much in pouring rain. It's one of the landmarks when I return home. When we reach the Karangahake Gorge I know I'm about to emerge into home territory. Makes me happy right now!! Lovely post

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  10. What a gorgeous place, I would love to take a walk there and cross the bridge. Beautiful photos and scenery! Take care, enjoy your day! Wishing you a happy weekend ahead.

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  11. One of our favourite places, we visited there a few times when we lived in Tauranga. If you make your way further along in the BOP try to visit the Te Puna Quarry Gardens - well worth it.

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    1. I have been twice to those Gardens and enjoyed both visits. A bit steep in places, though :)

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    2. It looks and sounds like a great place for a wander. I hope you will take us along when you next visit, Margaret.

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  12. What a lovely place. I appreciate you sharing your photos as I am limited to the places I can walk. We haven't been out that way for a while. Maybe when things get more 'normal' we can revisit.

    I'm so happy that you joined us over at at 'My Corner of the World' this week!

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  13. I would love to walk those picturesque trails! Gorgeous photos!

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  14. I wish that I could say that one day soon I will return anywhere!

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Thank-you for visiting my blog. I love it when you leave a comment so please feel free to have your say. Have a great day! Margaret xx