Golden Hills Battery Walk
WalkWaikato
- Grade
- Easiest
- Walking time
- 30 min
- Distance
- 800 m
- Dogs
- On a lead
Getting there
We have not checked a road end or car park for this place yet, so we do not give driving directions to it. Check how to get there before you go. Some routes cross private land and need the landowner's permission.
How to get there, on doc.govt.nzBroken Hills is 19 km from Tairua and 27 km from Whangamata.
The two entrance roads (Puketui Valley Road and Puketui Road) to Broken Hills do not connect and a stream crossing is required between them.
Plan your journey so you access your destined track or campsite by the correct entrance road.
Turn off SH25 at Hikuai onto Morrison’s Road (50 m north of the Pauanui turn off) then onto Puketui Valley Road. It is 6 km to the car park at the end of Puketui Valley Road.
Note: Tairua River Bridge, one km short of the road end, has a 10-tonne weight limit.
Alternative access is available off the Kopu-Hikuai Road (SH25a), 26 km from Thames. Turn on to Puketui Road 400 m before the Tairua River and Fourth Branch Scenic Reserve. A 4 km gravel road brings you to the Puketui Road car park at the southern end of Broken Hills. You will need to wade the stream to access the track system as there is no bridge across the water.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 37.10115° S, 175.73982° E
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About this place
This track follows the Tairua River to the Golden Hills Battery site.
The route
This flat walk starts at the Bridge car park and follows alongside the Tairua River to the Golden Hills Battery site. The track originally carried horse-drawn wagons from the mines to the Golden Hills and Broken Hills Battery sites. The Golden Hills mines started large scale production in 1908. By 1910 a stamper battery had been built across the river from the mine, but production lasted only 3 years. The battery used an expensive but unreliable coke-powered suction gas engine that was too large for the size of the reef being worked. On your way to the Golden Hills Battery you will see two mine tunnels (adits) on your left, one of which is still being worked today. Observe all safety signs. At the battery site look for the original concrete foundations and arches that once supported large cyanide vats.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Broken Hills Campsite
Standard • Waikato • 0.5 km
Broken Hills Campsite is a standard campsite situated beside the Tairua River in the Coromandel region. The site is surrounded by native bush, offering a…
Non-powered/tent sites • Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets - non-flush
Billygoat Basin Campsite
Backcountry • Waikato • 5.9 km
Billygoat Basin Campsite is a campsite located on the popular Billygoat Circuit in the Coromandel region.
Water from stream • Toilets - non-flush • Toilets
Pinnacles Hut
Serviced • 80 bunks • Waikato • 7 km
Pinnacles Hut is a serviced 80-bunk hut in the Coromandel area. Bookings must be made online in advance.
Cooking • Heating • Mattresses
Dancing Camp Campsite
Backcountry • Waikato • 7.2 km
Dancing Camp Campsite is located on the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail in the Coromandel. It sits near the historic Dancing Camp kauri driving dam.
Water from tap - not treated, boil before use • Toilets - non-flush • Toilets
Hydro Camp
Waikato • 7.2 km
Walks nearby
Broken Hills Battery Walk
Easiest • 20 min • 550 m • 0 km away
Puketui Walk
Easiest • Under 1 hour • 900 m • 1.03 km away
Water Race Tunnel Track
Easiest • Under 1 hour • 1.6 km • 1.43 km away
The Hihi Trig Track
Advanced • 8.8 km • 1.85 km away
Tarawaere to Billygoat Link Track
Advanced • 4 hr • 6.2 km away
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Tracks (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).