Broken Hills Recreation Area walking tracks

Walking track

Getting there

Broken Hills is 19 km from Tairua and 27 km from Whangamata. Turn off State Highway 25 at Hikuai onto Morrison's Road then onto Puketui Valley Road. It is 6 km to the Puketui Valley roadend car park.

Description

Shining cuckoo on kowhai branch

A variety of birdlife may be seen in the area including tui, fantail, kereru, bellbird, shining cuckoo (pictured right), kingfisher, fernbird and grey warbler. All birdlife is protected.

Golden Hills Battery

Time: 30 min from the bridge car park  

The track originally carried horse-drawn wagons from the mines to the Golden Hills and Broken Hills battery sites. On your way to the Golden Hills battery you will see two mine tunnels on your left, one of which is still being worked. Please observe all safety signs.

Broken Hills Battery

Time: 20 min from bridge car park

This track takes you to the Broken Hills mine, which operated from 1896-1914. Rusting ironmongery on the track was once the blacksmith's shop.

Gem of the Boom

Time: 20 min return from Puketui Valley Rd

This was the site of an old mining settlement and relics of the past can still be seen, including what happens to be a jail cut into solid rock. 

Government Battery

Time: 5 min from the Puketui Valley roadend car park

This battery was built by the government to process ore prospected during the 1930s depression. Only flat concrete foundations remain. Further up the track you'll find a small waterfall - an ideal place to cool down on hot days.

Collins Drive

Time: 2 - 3 hr return from roadend car parks

With the Golden Hills Mine Area, the 500-metre long Collins Drive provides an opportunity to experience a real underground mine system. This tunnel was driven through the hill in a fruitless attempt to find a quartz reef with payable ore. Dangerous shafts have been boarded up. You will need a torch. The easiest approach to Collins Drive is via the Third Branch or Water Race Tunnels tracks.

Water Race Tunnels Track

This track links the Main Range track with the Third Branch track and offers access to the eastern end of Collins Drive. It follows an old water race that that took water from the Third Branch Stream across the Tairua River via three tunnels to drive the Broken Hills Battery 

Third Branch Track

At the southern end of Puketui Track, this track follows the stream then picks up an old tram line, climbing up the hill before levelling out and sidling around the hill to the east end of the Collins Drive.A circuit is possible via the Water Race Link Track.

Main Range Track

Begins at the northern end of Puketui Track and leads to a lookout (up a side track) and a track junction (1 hr). At the junction, turn left to the west end of Collins Drive or continue on via a tramping track to the Paton Stream Dam (3 hr) and Kauaeranga Valley (8-10 hr). The tramping track is more suited to experienced and well-prepared trampers.

Plan and prepare

Mine tunnels and shafts are very dangerous and may be hidden by vegetation, so please keep to the marked tracks.

What to expect on a walking track:

• Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day
• Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
• Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
• Clearly sign posted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
• Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required

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