WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL THIS AWAY WEEKEND DUE TO THE CLOSURE OF HIGHWAY 25A.  THE ALTERNATIVE ROUTE IS NOT FEASIBLE FOR OUR PURPOSES.

We are working on a replacement Away Weekend - watch this space! 

Broken Hills & Coromandel- Kauareanga Valley -Mini Weekend Trip

Saturday 25^th to Sunday 26^th February ‘23

Both, Easy and Medium Fit (M/F)  parties will drive through to Broken Hill Campground which lies in a picturesque setting in the Coromandel beside Tairua River and below spectacular cliffs. 

EASY PARTY

Easy Party will explore the network of tracks, old goldmining sites, water races and tunnels. Explore historic gold mining area:  old mine tunnels, site of the aerial ropeway which transported the ore across the valley to the Golden Hills battery.

Highlight is the circular track taking one of the Lookout viewpoint looking over the towering rock formations beside the site and then back down to cross a 500 metre long old mine tunnel referred now as Collins Drive.  -Torch required.

Once out of the tunnel there are descents past more tunnels.

There are remains to look at of the stations for the aerial ropeways that crossed high over the valley to the Stamper batteries used to extract the gold from the quart ore on the other side of the river. As you descend further the track makes use of the old horse drawn tramways.

Swimming hole near the Roadend camping ground.

Sleeping Options: Sleep on the bus or Tent

MEDIUM/FIT PARTY

M/F Party will walk up from the Broken Hills Campground to the Lookout view point and then onto the HiHi Trig (725M, ~4 1/2hrs). From there it is a further 2 hrs to Billy Goat Basin Campground for the night.  Tent required.

Sunday       

Easy Party will drive around to Kauareanga Valley Rd. Park bus at Hotoritori Campsite and walk road section to Catleys Campsite (~1km) then cross river and walk up Tarawaere Dam Track.
M/F Party will walk out from Billy Goat Campground via Tarawaere Dam Track, cross river to Catleys Campsite and walk the road section to the bus parked at Hotoritori Campsite.
Parties will meet on the track and walk out together.
Back in Auckland mid- afternoon.
Note: Due to slip on the road between Hotoritori and Catley Campsites DOC  has placed a restriction on allowing heavy vehicle over this section. No plans at this time to repair the slip.

Depart: 8am, Como Street

Organiser: Kevin Osten Ph. 027 4577418

Driver: TBA

 Cost

• ·        Medium Fit Party Cost: $70
• (Price includes Billy Goat Flat tent Site: $5)
• ·        Easy Party Cost: $80
• (Price includes Broken Hills Campground fee: $15)

More info: 

Broken Hills Gold Mining History

Broken Hills and Kauaeranga Valley Info

Maps:

Printable/GPS/Online - Easy party

Printable/GPS/Online - Medium/Fit party