8 minute read
HAURAKI RAIL TRAIL
KAIAUA to MATAMATA
4-5 days - 160km
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AA Traveller 2022
AA Traveller 2022
Leisurely, long and laid-back the Hauraki Rail Trail is a Great Ride for all ages. Gentle terrain and plentiful accommodation, cafés and restaurants, make it ideal for all riders including children. Tackle all five sections across four to five days, or pick one to enjoy a manageable day ride.
Pack some binoculars, as this ride officially starts on the Shorebird Coast. Tracing the Firth of Thames, riders discover the region’s bird life and wetlands of international significance. Stop at the Pūkorokoro–Miranda Shorebird Centre and bird hides before making your way to Thames.
The ride to Paeroa offers unforgettable views across the Hauraki Plains and Kaimai Ranges. From the Historical Maritime Park take the riverboat into Paeroa. The most striking section follows the Ohinemuri River through the Karangahake Gorge. Gold-mining history and a 1100m railway tunnel feature in this fascinating canyon. Hop on the Goldfields Railway train for the 30-minute passage between Waikino and Waihi stations.
The onward journey is dotted with dairy cows, riding under the gaze of Mt Te Aroha. Stop in the town to soak in the historic mineral spas, and enjoy the walkways, art and cafés. Continuing south, this gentle section passes fertile plains, horse studs, and groves of scented trees before reaching Matamata. Celebrate with a visit to Hobbiton Movie Set and a tipple at the Green Dragon Inn.
Te Aroha © Hauraki Rail Trail
TRAIL INFO
TRAIL GRADES:
KAIAUA TO THAMES 53KM GRADE 1 (EASIEST)
THAMES TO PAEROA 34KM GRADE 1 (EASIEST)
PAEROA TO WAIHI 24KM GRADE 1 (EASIEST) & GRADE 2 (EASY)
PAEROA TO TE AROHA 23KM GRADE 1 (EASIEST)
TE AROHA TO MATAMATA 37KM GRADE 1 (EASIEST)
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE: Mobile phone coverage is generally good; it can get patchy within the narrows of Karangahake Gorge.
REFRESHMENTS: We recommend carrying plenty of snacks and drinks to keep you fuelled up; this is especially important out of peak season when some cafés and shops run on limited hours. Water bottles can be filled at settlements along the way; be sure to carry plenty on hot days.
TYPE OF BIKE: Friendly rail trail terrain makes this suitable for everything from children’s bikes and uprights, to touring bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes.
RIDING THE TRAIL
KAIAUA TO THAMES, 53KM
Named ‘The Journey of Te Aho’, this section of trail follows in the footsteps of early Māori settler Te Aho. Starting from Kaiaua, it winds around the edge of the shallow Firth of Thames, over chenier shell banks and through wetlands of international significance. Visit the Pūkorokoro–Miranda Shorebird Centre where you can learn about the area’s precious birdlife before heading out to the hides to see them for yourself. Fanatical twitchers may wish to check ahead for the arrival and departure schedules of various migratory species. From Miranda Holiday Park, the trail skirts around the Firth, following stop-banks for much of the way. There are expansive views of coastal wetlands and verdant farmland, with the volcanic Coromandel Ranges a dramatic backdrop. Refreshments are available in the villages of Waitakaruru, Pipiroa and Kopu. After the Kopu Bridge, the trail turns northwards for a few kilometres to reach Thames, an atmospheric town with plenty of dining and accommodation options. As you approach the town centre, look out for various sculptures along the community’s art trail. The Coromandel Distillery Co in The Depot, Grahamstown is a definite must-visit while in Thames.
THAMES TO PAEROA, 34KM
This richly historic area was once only accessible via the two rivers, Waihou and Hikutaiā. The Māori people believed that the deep valleys cutting through the Coromandel Ranges were carved by the thrashing tail of a taniwha. This is also the place where bushmen, gumdiggers and gold miners sought their fortunes, routinely crossing over to the eastern side of the ranges on rugged bush tracks through forests of mighty kauri. It is amid this history that this section of trail begins, at first following the old railway line out of Thames town and onward through lush farmland with the impressive ranges a constant companion to the east. Matātoki’s Cheese Barn and the Convenient Cow Café at Hikutaiā are nicely spaced pit-stops. Near Paeroa, it’s also just a short detour to the Historical Maritime Park where you can catch a boat ride on the Waihou River with your bike. Paeroa, at the southern end of this section is ‘world famous in New Zealand’ for its giant L&P bottle – a homage to home-grown soda-pop. Its antique shops are also notable. There’s also accommodation and places to eat for riders wanting to overnight here.
PAEROA TO WAIHI, 24KM
The most popular section of the Hauraki Rail Trail follows the Ohinemuri River through the dramatic Karangahake Gorge, a deep canyon cut through the Kaimai Ranges. Highlights of the gorge include a cascading waterfall, photogenic gold-mining sites and the charmingly old-fashioned Victoria Battery museum, plus the freaky Windows Walkway that burrows through a shadowy side-gorge. The pièce de résistance is an amazing 1100m-long railway tunnel, wobbled through with the aid of a torch. Near the halfway point is cute Waikino Station where there’s a café for a breather. This is the terminus of the train that runs between Waikino and Waihi; it’s well worth timing your riding to coincide with its running times as it’s a pretty special experience. Otherwise, it’s another 8km of riding to Waihi. With plenty of accommodation and places to eat – as well as proximity to glorious beaches – Waihi is a great base for your Hauraki adventures. This ‘Heart of Gold’ town still has an operational mine that can be visited on tours, plus the wonderfully interactive museum known as the Gold Discovery Centre.
PAEROA TO TE AROHA, 23KM
Heading south, this leisurely section passes through pretty Waikato farmland dotted with dairy cows. Front and centre are the bushy Kaimai–Mamaku Ranges and their 952m-highpoint Mt Te Aroha (952m; ‘the mountain of love’), plus wideranging views over the Hauraki Plains. This section of the trail ends in the small rural town of Te Aroha with historic mineral hot pools – a great way to soothe pedalweary muscles. Te Aroha also has a lovely town domain, and is home to some great cafés. If you’re after an adventure, check out the expert tour operator, Adventure Te Aroha who offer kayak and stand-up paddleboard tours on the Waihou River.
TE AROHA TO MATAMATA, 37KM
This gentle section of the trail passes through fertile plains and significant horse studs. It ends (or starts) in the vicinity of the Matamata i-SITE. The Hobbiton Movie Set is approximately a 30-minute drive from Matamata where visitors can get their Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings fix (it’s well worth going for the gardens alone, never mind a refreshing pint at the Green Dragon Inn!) Along the way it passes various landmarks including the scenic Wairere Falls, Stanley Landing and the Firth Tower with two new great cafés along the way. If you’re looking for quirky accommodation in Matamata, then head to the House With No Nails. Enjoy the beautiful mountain views from this handcrafted timber frame home.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAIL
Hobbiton © Destination Rotorua
• Visit Pūkorokoro-Miranda Shorebird Centre for information on migratory shorebirds.
• Stay at Miranda Holiday Park and relax in their thermally heated fresh mineral pools.
• Kaiaua is the ideal laid-back coastal community to sit by the sea and chill out.
• Visit the Thames Saturday market in Grahamstown followed by a visit to The Depot where you’ll find fine food and five boutique outlets including the Coromandel Distilling Company where you can sample their award-winning gin.
• Taste award-winning Gouda on the veranda at The Cheese Barn in Matātoki.
• Pose for a picture with the 7m L&P bottle in Paeroa.
• Explore Bullswool Farm Heritage Park, with its array of farm animals, museums, displays, and native bird reserve.
• Venture along the old walkways and forgotten tunnels that make up Karangahake Gorge.
• Relax in the Te Aroha hot pools.
• Te Aroha’s restored Edwardian Hot Springs Domain has mineral spas and swimming facilities. In addition, the 1898 Cadman Bathhouse houses a museum.
• Mokena Geyser is the world’s only soda geyser and explodes every 40 minutes.
• Get off your bike and onto the Goldfields Railway vintage train for a ride between Waikino and Waihi stations.
• Visit the historic Firth Tower Museum in Matamata and if you’ve arrived in a self-contained motor home, you’re entry fee allows you a free overnight park.
• A goblet of ale awaits your arrival at The Green Dragon™ Inn in Hobbiton near Matamata.
• Visit the Waihi Gold Discovery Centre where the gold heritage comes alive. Then wander across the street to view the working Martha Mine.
• Walk the Martha Mine Pit Rim Walkway. The 4km loop starts at the Cornish Pumphouse and offers an overwhelming view down into the vast chasm.
© Hauraki Rail Trail
