Karangahake Gorge
The Karangahake Gorge ( Karangahake Gorge ) forms the natural separation of the Coromandel Range and Kaimai Range at the southern end of the Coromandel Peninsula on the North Island of New Zealand . The partly narrow and very winding gorge was formed by the Ohinemuri River , which is fed by tributaries from the two mountain ranges.
Karanga-hake in the Maori language means to transmit alarm call from the other side . The term goes back to the fact that the Maori groups living in the gorge, who were often subject to attacks by other groups from the east, set up scouts on the hills along the river, which sounded a wooden gong to alert the people to warn of the approaching enemy.
Location and transport links
The 21 km long Karangahake Gorge is the direct connection between the towns of Paeroa and Waihi and is used by the New Zealand State Highway 2 . Until 1979 the former East Coast Main Trunk Railway ran through the gorge between Paeroa and Tauranga . Between Waikino and Waihi railway tracks are now by the museum train, today Goldfields Railway Inc. used again. The section between Paeroa and Waikino, however, is now used for the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway .
Ohinemuri River
The Ohinemuri River has its source near the bank of the Bay of Plenty in the foothills of the Coromandel Range, but does not flow into it, but through the steeply sloping Karangahake Gorge. After about 25 kilometers of river length, the Ohinemuri River joins the Waihou River at Paeroa, which merges into the Firth of Thames after another 25 kilometers .
Meaning of the names:
- O-Hinemuri River in Maori means The water of the tears of Hinemuri's youngest daughter .
- Legends say that the tears of Hinemuri, the youngest daughter of chief Te One-ki-te-akau, who did not get permission from her father to marry before her two older sisters were married, shaped and filled the river.
- Wai-kino means harmful, dangerous water .
- The narrow gorge can quickly become a raging stream with tremendous destructive power and has already claimed many lives. Waikino is the name of the river spirit who is said to live below the waterhole near the settlement of the same name.
The river has a catchment area of 287 km². At Karangahake (settlement) there is a level measuring station. The highest water level of the river since measurements began in 1956 was measured on April 13, 1981 at 18.66 m, the lowest on February 21, 1995 at 11.85 m.
Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway is a hiking trail between the village of Karangahake and Waikino and passes through the Karangahake Gorge. After the railway line was closed, the track was dismantled and the embankment made usable as a hiking trail. The former railway tunnel, which was around 1100 meters long, is now illuminated and accessible to pedestrians as part of the walkway.
The trail leads past numerous interesting historical sites that are particularly reminiscent of the time of the gold rush in New Zealand between 1870 and 1950.
Things to do along the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway:
- Hiking and climbing
- Ride a mountain bike
- visit interesting historical places
- fishing
- swim
- Canoe and white water rafting
- Use of the numerous picnic areas
- Ride the museum train
- Search for gemstones
The walkway is maintained by the Department of Conservation .
There is access to the walkway at three points, and car and campervan parking spaces are available at all points:
- in Karangahake (settlement) across the Ohinemuri River
- near the Owharoa waterfalls
- at the Waikino train station and visitor center
Further information
- Side of the DOC to the Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
- Tourist tips for the Karangahake Gorge
- Paeroa
- Current water levels of the Ohinemuri River
