This spectacular walk passes through the relics of the Talisman and Crown mining operations in Karangahake Gorge. Take a torch for exploring the goldmining tunnels and for the underground pumphouse side trip.
About the walk
How long will it take? This is a 2.5km one-hour loop walk.
This spectacular walk passes through the relics of the Talisman and Crown mining operations.
From the Karangahake Reserve car park begin by crossing both the suspension bridge over the Ōhinemuri River and then the Lower Waitawheta Gorge bridge. Go up the stairs and through the abandoned buildings and machinery of the Talisman battery, then follow the rail track along the gorge and into the old gold mining tunnels.
The tunnel has four openings (windows) which look down on the spectacular river gorge far below.
The track emerges from the cliff and descends a staircase before crossing the river on a suspension bridge and returning on the opposite side of the gorge along the Crown Tramway Track to the car park.
Alternative route
You can take a recommended side-trip to the remains of the underground Woodstock Pumphouse. After the windows section and the crossing over the Waitawheta River, walk upstream for a short distance (through another tunnel) to where a set of wooden stairs on the right-hand side mark the entrance to the pumphouse tunnel.
Remains of the beam engine and other machinery can be seen inside, as well as the rafters supporting the ceiling.
Glowworms are also visible. A good torch is essential for viewing this unique piece of mining heritage.
For more information on the Karangahake Gorge, click here for a DOC brochure.
