Kauaeranga Valley short walks
Track category
Short walk
Description
There are a number of short walks in the Valley to choose from. Numbers correspond with numbers on the Kauaeranga tracks map, with track names used on the ground.
1. Kahikatea Walk - model dam
Time: 20 min/900 m return
A walk leads from the visitor centre through native plantings to the one-third scale replica kauri driving dam. The path crosses the dam as far as the old water race but you will then need to retrace your steps back to the visitor centre and car park.
2. Nature Walk - Hoffman's Pool
Time: 30 min/500 m return
Information panels along this easy walk introduce you to the valley's native trees and shrubs. Look for the old water supply intake which once fed Thames township and associated stamper batteries. Hoffman's Pool is a great place for a picnic and a summer swim.
3. Jasper Creek
Time: 20 min/500 m return
The Jasper Creek Walk starts at Hotoritori campsite and passes through regenerating totara, rimu, towai, kahikatea, with several varieties of fungi and ground orchids. The walk finishes back at the campsite.
4. Outlook 76
Time: 1 hr/1.2 km return
Access this walk from the road between Hotoritori and Whangaiterenga Campsites. It involves a climb up to a lookout with excellent views of the valley and Table Mountain. You can return to the road via the same track or descend to Whangaiterenga Campsite, with a 4-minute walk back along the road.to your starting point.
5. Edward's Lookout
Time: 1 hr/1.4 km return
Cross the concrete ford beyond Whangaiterenga campsite and walk along a well-formed metal track through manuka-towai forest to a rock outcrop and saddle with extensive views of the valley. This is a favourite spot for abseiling.
6. Booms Historical Walk
Time: 30 min/1 km return
Just past the Booms Flat Campsite on the opposite side of the road is a 1920s logging booms site. From here, the walk crosses the river flats and takes you through manuka and kanuka mixed with totara, kauri, five-finger, ground ferns and lancewood before emerging at Catleys Campsite.
7. Murray's Walk
Time: 30 min/1 km return
A raised boardwalk takes you through a variety of vegetation from manuka, fivefinger, karamu and koromiko growing at the forest edge, into rewarewa, mahoe, towai, tawa, rimu and rata and past a swampy area with kahikatea and other wetland plants. Nikau and at least three species of tree ferns can be seen along the way.
Getting there
The Kauaeranga Valley is east of Thames on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Plan and prepare
Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.
Guides and commercial tourism providers