Places to visit near Waihi

Karangahake Gorge

The gorge is home to many scenic and interesting walks and hikes and the Historic Walkway is the easy way to explore the entire main valley. This walkway follows the river and features historic railway and gold mining remains including bridges and a 1.1 km-long rail tunnel (for which a torch is recommended). The trail opens up at the Waikino end, passing through the massive Victoria Battery ruins to reach the Waikino Station where a cafe and train rides can be enjoyed. You can also do a short loop from the Karangahake carpark.

The Windows Walkway rates as one of the most dramatic in this area.  On the track, there are "windows" blasted through the walls of old gold mining tunnels providing impressive views down into the Waitewheta River.  This loop track is currently closed for repairs, and also the Crown Track which is part of the loop to Dickeys Flat. However, you can still walk in to Dickeys Flat on the Dubbo 96 track, but you will have to return the same way.

Other places of interest:

  • Paeroa

  • Waihi Town

  • Pauanui

  • Hot Water beach

Whangamata & Wentworth Valley

Recently voted the best beach in the country by New Zealanders, Whangamata Beach is also famed for its breaks, and welcomes surfers from across the globe eager to tackle the left hand break of Whangamata Bar. But if you’re not expert enough on a board to try your hand at this just yet, there are plenty of gentle peaks for even beginners to stand on a board for the first time.

Should that give you the bug for board sports, stand-up paddleboards – alongside surfboards and kayaks – can be rented in town to help uncover the secrets of this six-kilometre beach and the estuaries that lie at either side of it.

Backed by protected dunes that are the habitat of the endangered Dotterel bird, access to Whangamata Beach is limited to specific points through the dunes. Access points 8 and 9 near the Surf Club are generally considered the best, particularly for those with disabilities, since a boardwalk runs from the car park here right to the beach.