Image: Visionmedia | ©
Man and boy exploring historic relics on track.
Waiorongomai Valley

Located in Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park in the Bay of Plenty region

Explore pack tracks and tramlines from gold mining days - the shorter option is suitable for children and follows New Zealand’s oldest known railway (1882-83) with the original rail still in place.

Waiorongomai walks and tramping routes start from the car park at the end of Waiorongomai Loop Road near Te Aroha.

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

Consult a topographic map.

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No mountain biking

Mountain biking is not allowed on this track.

Find places where you can mountain bike. 

A prospector, Hone Werahiko found gold in the Waiorongomai Valley in 1881. The goldmines were never very successful - expensive engineering projects failed due to low yields from the unexpectedly hard rock of the enormous gold bearing reef. One of these projects was the Piako County Tramway which is a feature of many of the walks.