Nefertenti on the Waitawheta River

Karangahake Gorge

Continuing south from Auckland our way back to Tauranga, we stopped by Karangahake Gorge because we saw a sign for some walks to do. The carpark was packed tight as sardines and when we crossed the bridge we saw why - not only were people going on the historic walks, but they were also swimming in and enjoying the river.

We thought we were just going to walk to the entrance to the tunnel, but we just had to go on and see what was on the other side. It was much longer than I expected, and we had to use the iPhone torch function for parts of it. The ground was moist from all the water dripping down from the walls and ceiling. Yannick stepped in some mud.

Finally we got to the other side, but we didn't want to go all the way back through the tunnel, we wanted to see something new. We went on another trail, this one leading to some mining caverns.

There were little caves by the path which we were warned against going in. They mined gold here from the 1870's to as late as the 1950's.

Some of the tunnels were more well developed with tracks for a cart to go through. Again we needed the torch here to see in the low light. At certain points, holes had been carved out into the sunlight to allow for light and fresh air into the mine.

We spent the rest of the day at Waihi Beach before camping at a charming DOC campsite (with the not-so-charming name of Dickey Flat). We got to put our tent, named "Nefertenti", right by the Waitawheta River!

Though the campsite had no showers, I perched on a rock to bathe my injured feet and reapply new plasters. It was amazing how much sand had got into my plasters at the end of each day at the beach. 

That night, we picnicked beside Nefertenti. We had an exquisite feast of French cider, goat's cheese on crusty bread...and Dunkin Donuts that we had purchased in Auckland that morning.