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Kahikatea Walk - Model Dam
(20 minutes return)
The walk leads from the visitor centre through native plantings
to the one-third scale replica of a kauri driving dam. The path
crosses the dam and returns via DOC's native tree nursery.
Nature Walk - Hoffmans' Pool
(30 minutes return)
Information panels along this easy walk introduce you to the
valley's native trees and shrubs. Hoffman's Pool is a great
place for a swim and a picnic.
Jasper Creek
(20 minutes return)
The Jasper Creek Walk starts at Hotoritori campground and
passes through regenerating bush. It's a good place to look
for native orchids, especially in spring and summer.
Outlook 76
(1 hour return)
This walk begins at Whangaiterenga campground. A climb leads
to native bush containing rata, towai and tree ferns. The
view of the valley from the outlook is excellent. You can
take an alternative return track down to the raod.
Edward's Lookout
(1 hour return)
Cross the concrete ford beyond Whangaiterenga campground and
walk through manuka-towai forest to a rock outcrop and saddle
with extensive views of the valley. This is a favourite spot
for abseiling.
Booms Historical Walk
(30 minutes return)
Cross the river flats at the 1920s logging booms site. The
track passes through manuka and kanuka mixed with totara,
kauri, five-finger, ground ferns and lancewood before emerging
at Catleys campground.
Murray's Walk
(30 minutes return)
A raised boardwalk takes you around this 500 metre walk. A
booklet, available at the visitor centre, describes the forest
and its special features.
Billygoat Landing Walk
(20 minutes)
Follow the Kauri Trail for about five minutes before turning
onto the Billygoat Landing Walk just after the swing bridge.
This walk offers a good view of the Billygoat Falls (180 metres
high) and the Billygoat incline site.
Tramping Tracks
Catleys Track
(45 minutes one way)
Cross the main Kauaeranga River at the Tarawaere swingbridge
and walk along river flats and through regenerating forest.
The track finishes on the opposite side of the river from
Catleys campground.
Wainora Kauri
(2-3 hours return)
Leave from the Wainora campground and cross the Wainora stream
several times before climbing a spur that heads towards Table
Mountain. The smaller kauri stands right beside the track;
you'll find the larger tree 10 minutes further up, signposted
20 metres to the right of the track.
Kauaeranga Kauri Trail
Webb Creek - Hydrocamp
(2-21/2 hours )
From the Kauaeranga roadend cross at the swing-bridge, continue
alongside the river to Webb Creek, then follow the historic
packhorse route to the old Hydro campsite. This track (steep
in places) to the Hydrocamp clearing was used by kauri bushmen
travelling to logging sites in the upper Kauaeranga during
the 1920s.
Hydrocamp - Billygoat Basin - Kauaeranga roadend
(2-3 hours)
At the Hydrocamp junction take the Billygoat track. A 30 minute
climb up a former pack track leads to a saddle with excellent
views down the Kauaeranga Valley to the Hauraki Plains.
Hydrocamp - Pinnacles Hut
(1 hour)
The grade leaving the Hydrocamp becomes easier as the track
sidles around a hillside and reaches an open ridge alongside
the Hydroline. There are spectacular views down a branch of
the Tairua River to the east and the jagged volcanic landforms
of Tauranikau and the Pinnacles ahead.
Pinnacles Hut - The Pinnacles
(50 minutes)
A steep climb leads to the summit of the Pinnacles (759 metres)
where there are spectacular views of the bush, mountains and
coastline of the southern Coromandel.
Moss Creek - Mt Rowe
(1 hour one way)
A difficult track along the main ridge leads to the summit
of Mt Rowe (749 metres). There are good views of the upper
Kauaeranga Valley and east coast from the summit.
Moss Creek - Kauaeranga Road end
(3 hours one way)
The track drops steeply to the Kauaeranga River. Follow Moss
Creek Stream past Webb Creek junction and continue onto the
roadend carpark.
Piraunui Stream
(2 hours one way)
The Piraunui Track starts on the opposite side of the Kauaeranga
River from the Shag Stream Campground. Follow a marked route
across private farmland to the Forest Park boundry. Once in
the forest you climb up the western side of the valley to
the Kopu-Hikaui Road. The Piranui valley contains forested
river flats, stands of regenerating kauri and unusual rock
formations.
Dams
Tarawaere Dam
(1 hour to dam)
Remains of a 1920s rafter flume dam built by Jim Angel. The
Tarawaere Dam Track is signposted off the Kauaeranga Valley
road.
Waterfalls Dam
(1 hour to dam)
A steep track which turns off the Tarawaere Dam Track. A rafter
dam built in the 1920s with a swinging rafter gate.
Dancing camp Dam
(2-3 hours from the Kauaeranga Valley)
Stringer flume dam, built in the 1920s. The dam is a five
minute walk from the Pinnacles Hut.
Kauaeranga Main Dam
(1 hour from Pinnacles Hut)
A Stringer flume dame built in 1921 by Ebeneza Gibbons. Take
the Moss Creek track from Pinnacles Hut until you reach the
upper Kauaeranga River. Walk downstream for 10 minutes to
the dam.
Moss Creek Dam
(3 hours from the Kauaeranga Valley roadend)
A rafter dam with a swinging rafter gate, built in the early
1900s. The dam is 50 metres before the Moss Creek Campsite
on the track from the road.
Waterfalls Creek Dam
(4 hours)
This unusual stringer dam has no flume and only one sill.
This partially collapsed dam is one kilometre past the Moss
Creek campsite on the track to the Pinnacles.
Information
The Pinnacles Hut is a three hour walk from
the roadend. It has 80 bunks, mattresses, toilets, a cold
shower, solar lighting, gas cookers and a solid fuel burner.
Cooking utensils are not provided. A warden is present at
all times. A fee is charged.
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For further information contact:
Department of Conservation,
Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
Kauaeranga Valley
PO Box 343,
Thames
Tel (07) 867 9080
International +64 7 867 9080
Fax: (07) 867 9095
International +64 7 867 9095
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