New Zealand Walk: Four P’s in a pod! Paku, Pauanui, Parakiwai, Puketui
“Pod” is the Greek root for “foot”. It is also an acronym for “Perambulations of Distinction.”
Here are four such walks, all within a 30 kilometre radius of Hikuai, namely Paku, Pauanui, Parakiwai and Puketui. They are a surprise package.
Paku is the ancient volcano which dominates the entrance to Tairua Harbour. It was originally a single rhyolite dome, but has since eroded into a doubleheaded knoll.
A residence between them is aptly named “Cleavage House”. The summit of the inner peak (192m) may be reached in less than 30 minutes, along a wellconstructed path bordered by mature karaka, kawakawa and pohutukawa.
En route there are six illustrated information panels detailing local history and geology. These enhance the experience of the climb and provide a good excuse to stop for a breather on the way up!
At the top, a plane table outlines and names the islands that are visible. There are panoramic views over the estuary, beaches, ocean, and rugged Coromandel interior.
The track up Pauanui Hill (387m) is part of a series of worthwhile walks in the Tairua Forest. It is best to ascend the old trig route, which begins from the carpark at the southern end of the beach and soon branches off the initial Loop Track.
A steady 45-60 minute climb brings you to the trig structure, with extensive views over Pauanui beach and resort, including its unusual canal subdivisions. From here, descend via the longer Eastern Route (one and a half hours), which also has the option of a side-trip to Storm Cove (two hours return).
A rock promontory at 200 metres elevation, and lookout at 130 metres, offer impressive vistas of Slipper Island. Eventually you reach the coast at Boulder Bay, with its small cave.
A short stint of rock hopping takes you past a waterfall (spectacular after heavy rain) to Flat Rock, notable for its columnar lava. From here it’s a short distance back to the beach.
The Parakiwai Track, seven kilometres south of Whangamata, is one of the most rewarding halfday trips in the region. Originally used by horses trudging to the site of the Golden Sovereign gold mine, the trail is now a pleasant stroll through attractive riverside bush. Wooden bridges span all significant flows.
In 1896 the Royal Standard Gold-mining Company of London purchased existing claims and set about spending vast sums of money preparing the site, building a tramway from the Otahu Estuary and purchasing machinery.
In 1897 a new manager called a halt to proceedings after many thousands of pounds had been squandered. No gold was mined and the area was abandoned. The walkway, tramway tunnel, mine shafts, water supply pipe and other bits and pieces are all that remain.
Ten minutes from the car-park the track passes andesite rock formations 20 million years old. Groves of ponga, kauri rickers and nikau clothe the valley floor and hillsides.
In 80 minutes, you’ll arrive at a clearing, from which you can head either way around the Wharekirauponga Loop to the striking gorge and upper cascades. The battery site is five minutes from the clearing, and is worth fossicking. It’s only another 15 minutes to the tramway tunnel.
Explorers may set out to find the old gold-mining routes, adits, and mine entrances, or to bathe in
either the warm spring or one of the many pools.
The Puketui Valley ushers the visitor into the Broken Hills Recreation Area, an increasingly popular holiday hideaway in a beautiful river gorge setting. Follow the Tairua River to either the “bridge” or “road-end” carparks, whence there are many opportunities for walking, swimming, canoeing, fishing, rafting, bird-watching, photography, picnicking and camping.
Between 1895 and 1915 Puketui was a bustling gold-mining settlement, and was also logged for kauri. Plans were duly prepared for a permanent town on the site of the present campground, but were abandoned when mining tailed off.
Relics from the past still exist within easy access. Of particular interest are the Golden Hills, Broken Hills and Government Battery walks (all less than 30 minutes), the Water Race tunnels and a two to three hour circuit embracing the 500 metre-long Collins Drive tunnel, punched through the hill in a fruitless attempt to find a quartz reef, and for which you will need a torch.
Experienced trampers may venture further to Paton Stream Dam, now collapsed, and onto the main range (Hihi trig).
This quartet of walks combines fascinating human history with memorable natural scenery. It has the added advantages of proximity to all the facilities of popular resort towns, and the ability to see a wide range of features in a compact area.
If you have a hankering to undertake these walks, Footsteps Aotearoa NZ would be pleased to make it possible. Contact them: footstepsanz@gmail.com, 021 172 3244, 07 544 9509.