Karangahake Gorge facts for kids
The Karangahake Gorge is a super cool place in New Zealand's North Island. It's a deep, winding canyon carved out by the Ohinemuri River. You can find it between the Coromandel and Kaimai mountains.
This gorge is home to State Highway 2, which connects towns like Paeroa, Waikino, and Waihi. It's a really important road for people traveling between the Waikato region and the Bay of Plenty.
Long ago, a railway line called the East Coast Main Trunk Railway ran through the gorge. But now, that old railway path has been turned into an awesome walkway and cycleway! It's part of the famous Hauraki Rail Trail.
There are also lots of fun walks and tracks you can explore here. They start from the Karangahake Reserve car park and picnic area, and some walks can take from 30 minutes to over 2 hours.
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Gold Mining History
The Karangahake Gorge has a really interesting past linked to gold mining. Even today, some companies still explore for minerals. However, they use much quieter methods than the noisy ones from long ago!
Old Mining Machines
You can still see the remains of huge machines called stamping batteries at the lower end of the gorge. These were part of the Talisman, Crown, and Woodstock mines. They are important reminders of the area's mining days.
The miners built these batteries where the Waitawheta River meets the Ohinemuri River. This was smart because they could use the power of the flowing water to run their machines.
Gold Rush Era
Mining happened here from the 1880s to the 1950s. The busiest time was around the year 1900. During this period, the Karangahake Gorge produced a massive 60 percent of all the gold found in New Zealand!
The batteries crushed ore (rock with gold in it) that came from many tunnels. These tunnels were dug deep into the steep mountainsides of the Waitawheta Gorge. The Victoria Battery was one of the biggest and most advanced mining sites back then.
Exciting Walks and Trails
Karangahake is a fantastic place for outdoor adventures. Many walks and tracks start at the Karangahake Reserve car park. You can choose short walks or longer ones that take a few hours.
The Windows Walk
One of the most amazing walks is called the "Windows Walk." It's a loop trail that takes you through old gold mining tunnels from the Talisman Mine. Imagine walking where miners once worked!
The path crosses the Waitawheta River on a cool suspension bridge. Then, it joins the Crown Tramway Track, which follows along the cliffs of the Waitawheta Gorge. This track used to be a route for a small bush tramway.
Along the way, you'll see "windows" in the cliff face. These were openings at the end of mining tunnels. Miners used them to dump waste rock down into the gorge.
Exploring Tunnels
You can safely enter two of the old mining tunnels. They are about 2 meters (6.5 feet) tall and wide. These tunnels end after about 50 meters (164 feet). If you're lucky, you might spot glowworms and cave weta living inside!
Woodstock Pumphouse
The Woodstock Underground Pumphouse is another interesting spot. It's in the Waitawheta Gorge. You can reach it by taking a short side path from the Crown Tramway Track.
The Hauraki Rail Trail
The old railway line through the gorge is now part of the Hauraki Rail Trail. This section includes a long tunnel, about 1100 meters (3,600 feet) long! It's now a combined walkway and cycleway.
This trail, along with the beautiful natural scenery, makes the Karangahake Gorge a very popular place to visit. At the Waikino end of the gorge, you can still see the old railway station. It's preserved as part of the Goldfields Railway to Waihi.
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