Located in Coromandel Forest Park and Kauaeranga Valley in the Coromandel region
Topo50 maps show tracks that have been permanently closed to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease.
View from Edward's Lookout trail. Image: Sheena Veal | Creative Commons
View of Murray's Walk Image: Sheena Veal | DOC
Nature Walk – Hoffman's Pool Image: Sheena Veal | DOC
There are a number of short walks in the Valley to choose from.
Time: 20 min
Distance: 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 and on to the old water race. From there it loops back to the visitor centre and car park. You can do a nature treasure hunt on this track – get the question sheet from the visitor centre.
Time: 30 min
Distance: 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.
Time: 20 min
Distance: 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.
Time: 1 hr
Distance: 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.
Time: 1 hr
Distance: 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.
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.
Time: 20 min/1 km return from road end car park
Dogs: No dogs allowed on this track
Follow the Kauri Trail for about 10 min before turning onto the Billygoat Landing track just after the swing bridge. There are good views of the Billygoat Falls (180 m high) and the Billygoat incline built in 1921.
The Kauaeranga Valley is east of Thames on the Coromandel Peninsula.
Kauaeranga Visitor Centre | |
Phone: | +64 7 867 9080 |
Fax: | +64 4 471 1117 |
Email: | kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz |
Address: |
995C Kauaeranga Valley Road Thames 3577 |
Postal Address: |
PO Box 343 Thames 3540 |
Full office details |