On our travels between Auckland and the Bay of Plenty, Andrea and I stopped at the Ohinemuri Estate Winery just of State Highway 2. This is a beautiful spot for lunch, with amazing scenery and cheeky cats. But that’s for another post. Except the cat – I’ll do that now:
Cat at the Ohinemuri Winery
Hey, it’s Andrea’s fault – she’s the one that had to use the restroom.
The Karangahake Gorge runs along Highway 2 for a bit, and just west of the Ohinemuri winery was the parking area for hikers looking for a great walk along the gorge. If you’re able to and in the area, STOP! This is a great, easy walk and worth your visit.
Karangahake Gorge
During the 1875 gold rush, the Karangahake Gorge was a happening place to dig. Now, not so much – there would be lots of upset people if you started digging. I’ve heard. The heavy machinery used to extract gold are now rusted hulks by the path, but it’s a great bit of history as you explore the wonderful scenes of nature.
Karangahake Gorge machinery
The path closely follows the river – very closely in spot. The path is mostly rock and dirt, but there are spots of pavement. And if you really want to get close to the water, there are lots of boulders. Who doesn’t like hopping from boulder to boulder? It takes me back to climbing the rocks around Mackinac Island when I was a kid.
Karangahake Gorge
This waterfall was our turnaround point on the trail. It isn’t the big one, Owharoa Falls, but it was certainly beautiful. We were the only two people around, and this fall was reached by following a narrow path through thick forests. The water tumbled about 40 feet from the top before ending in a small pool, the water rushing away towards the Ohinemuri River. Now that I think back, I’m amazed at the beauty of that little spot.
Karangahake Gorge waterfall
This really is a must-stop if your traveling on Highway 2 south of the Coromandel Peninsula. If you’re only passing through, like we were, or have a bit more time to hike the other tracks around the Karangahake Gorge, this is an experience you will certainly remember.