
Karangahake Tunnel. North Is. New Zealand.
S 37° 25.099 E 175° 43.125
60H E 386624 N 5857950
Quick Description: A disused railway tunnel in the Karangahake Gorge now forms part of a walkway.
Location: North Island, New Zealand
Date Posted: 3/12/2009 9:20:03 PM
Waymark Code: WM60N3
Views: 7
Long Description:The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway partly follows the old
railway line between Paeroa and Waihi (closed in 1979), with the
remainder of the track following the banks of the Ohinemuri River.
The loop section includes the walk through a disused railway
tunnel at Karangahake.
This 1100 metre tunnel was used during the gold mining days in
the Karangahake Gorge. It has since been closed and has now become
part of a system of walkways in the Gorge. It contains lighting and
forms part of the Tunnel Loop track, a 45 minute walkway crossing
the river.
This part of the walkway follows the old railway formation through
the gorge. Along the route there are several rail heritage features
but the most notable are the 1 km long Karangahake tunnel (1903-05)
(which is illuminated so you can walk through it safely) and the
large steel truss bridge (1905) crossing the Ohinemuri River at the
eastern end of the tunnel.