Waiorongomai & Mount Te Aroha tramping tracks

Tramping track

Getting there

Access to Mount Te Aroha Domain is located on Boundary St, off SH 26. 

Access to Waiorongomai Tracks from Waiorongomai Loop Road South of Te Aroha.

Not all tracks described comence from these road ends, some are tracks within the forest park. Please consult the Te Aroha and Waiorongomai Walks Brochure.

Description

Te Aroha Mountain Track

Time: 1- 2 hr one way

(This track begins at the Whakapipi/ Baldspur Look out. Please consult the Te Aroha and Waiorongomai Walks Brochure.)

From the lookout the track dips through a small saddle and then climbs to the summit (952 metres).  The track becomes steep and the surface is rough.  As the track climbs in altitude, the forest changes with rimu and miro becoming common.  As the altitude increases silver beech and neinei become noticeable.

The view from the summit is spectacular with 360° views over the Kaimai Range and the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.  Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Taranaki are visible on a clear day.  Return to Te Aroha via the same track or take the Ridge Track/Tui Track back to the domain.

Tramway from Butler's incline to Premier Creek

Time: 1 hr 30 min one way

This track begins at the bottom of Butler's Incline to Premier Creek. Please consult the Te Aroha and Waiorongomai Walks brochure.

Butler’s Incline is 400 metres long and has a 25° angle.  To protect the incline from further erosion, walk up rather than down (30 minutes).  From the top of Butlers Incline the track follows the Piako County Tramway, passing the lower junction with the High Level Track after 40 metres.  It is a level grade with rail along the whole length.  The track crosses Diamond Creek before reaching the intersection with the New Era Branch.  At this point is a compressor which was lifted out of the creek in the 1900s to protect it from flood damage.  It was assembled o site and has an interpretation panel describing how it worked.

The track then flows the May Queen Incline, passing a kauri timbered trestle site along the way.  The winding gear is visible at the top.  The track continues along the tramway and passes the top junction of the High Level Track crossing a gully and stream before passing through a short but dark tunnel.  The tramway finishes at Premier Creek. 

Tui Link Track and Ridge Track

Time: 2 hr one way

(This track begins at the Mount Te Aroha Summit. Please consult the Te Aroha and Waiorongomai Walks Brochure.)

The track descends from the summit with stairways and steps on the steeper sections.  Dog Kennel Flat is reached after 20 minutes.  Just below Dog Kennel Flat is an intersection with the track to the Waiorongomai Saddle.  Follow the Ridge Track to the Tui Saddle junction.  It then descends steeply down a rocky section on an old mining horse trail, to the more recent Tui mine workings and the associated mining road.  The track follows the road for about 15 minutes before taking a marked track on the left.  Just below here is the Tui Mine mill site and tailings.  The track passes an old concrete explosives magazine, crosses the Mountain Road and meanders down through lowland forest of puriri and kohekohe to the junction with the Tui Domain Track.  

Plutus Claim Track to Premier Creek

Time: 1 hr 30 min one way

At the signposted intersection just below Dog Kennel Flat the Plutus Claim Track to the Waiorongomai Saddle follows an old pack track that linked the Pick and Spoon Mine with Waiorongomai.  After 30 minutes the track meets a junction with Mangakino Pack Track Route.  

Low Level Loop Track

Time: 2 hr return

This track commences at the carpark at the end of Waiorongomai Loop Road.This well graded track takes in a number of significant sites around the lower Waiorongomai Goldfields.  There is a series of interpretation panels that give a valuable insight into the natural and cultural history of the area.  The track is a very gradual climb up through regenerating native bush.  There are a few small streams which can be crossed easily.  At the T junction the Loop Track veers to the left while the Low Level Track continues up the valley.  Soon after this junction the base of Butlers Incline is reached.  The incline is 400m long and at 25° is very steep.  

Low Level Track / New Era Branch

Time: 2 hr one way

This track commences at the carpark at the end of Waiorongomai Loop Road. Follow the Low Level Loop Track (description above) until it reaches a T junction  From here the track continues up the stream for 20 minutes.  There are two stream crossings which can be difficult after rain.  The Kauri Grove Loop branches off to the right while the Water Race Track is linked to the New Era branch by following a steep spur and a short section of pack track.  The New Era Branch Line took two years to build although it is only 400 metres long. ( Please consult the Te Aroha and Waiorongomai Walks Brochure.) 

High Level Pack Track

Time: 2 hr 30 min one way

This track commences at the carpark at the end of Waiorongomai Loop Road. This pack horse track sidles along the Waiorongomai Valley on a generally steady uphill grade.  It historically allowed access to the workings of the upper goldfield.  The track leaves the bush edge at a junction just past the base of the Fern Spur Incline.  It crosses the Low Level Loop Track and then the Buck Rock Track branches off to the left.  The track meanders in and out of gullies with stream crossings and some waterfalls. It then becomes a little steeper before reaching a bridge across Butler’s Incline. 

After reaching the old tramway there is an 80 metres return side trip to the top of Butlers Incline. About 10 metres after the intersection, the High Level Pack Track branches off to the left and continues upwards, passing many mine portals and waterfalls. It levels out just before the old mining camp known as Quartzville, before meeting the old tramway again. ( Please consult the Te Aroha and Waiorongomai Walks Brochure.) 

Buck Rock Track

Time: 1 hr one way

This track starts at the high Level Pack track, 30 minutes from the road end. Please consult the Te Aroha and Waiorongomai Walks Brochure.

The track climbs steadily for one hour, then levels off for a further 30 minutes, before meeting the Piako County Tramway at the top of Butlers Incline.  This track was known as the Ruby Track in 1888 and the Cadman Track in 1900.  It gave access along the length of the quartz reef between the Incline and Buck Rock.  Numerous drives (mining tunnels) are scattered along its path.  About mid way a very steep 20 minute side track leads to the top of Buck Rock, giving spectacular views of the Waikato.  Care is required. This track finishes at the top of Butler's Incline.

Activities

Plan and prepare

Caution: Mine tunnels and shafts are very dangerous and may be hidden by vegetation.

• Keep to official marked tracks
• Do not enter tunnels unless they are clearly marked for public access

Please consult a topographic map.

No mountain biking is permitted.

What to expect on a tramping track:

• Challenging day or multi-day tramping/hiking
• Track is mostly unformed with steep, rough or muddy sections
• Suitable for people with good fitness. Moderate to high level backcountry skills and experience, including navigation and survival skills required
• Track has markers, poles or rock cairns. Expect unbridged stream and river crossings
• Tramping/hiking boots required

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