We spent the day in the Karangahake Gorge emersed in Gold mining history – the first bit of which we come across is Victoria Battery. This is a place where they smashed up the quartz (hench the battery name) then mix this with sodium cyanide to extract the gold. The site is massive, with a lot of machinery left to rust. The Victorians really did industrialise gold mining.

Our next stop was at the most beautiful waterfall – Owharoa Falls. Just a short walk from the road and the path opens out to reveal the falls. Tumbling over the rock down into a perfect swimming pool – just not today – bit too chilly!!

We drive further inland for a totally mind blowing walk (2.5 hrs) through Karangahake Gorge. This was another huge mining operation, this time underground. There are remnants of the industry left all over and under the mountain here – the rail tracks, parts of machinery and tunnels. Part of our walk goes through two of these tunnels, one of which was 1km long! The other was much smaller, wetter and darker. Good job we had torches! It’s impossible to imagine what life must have been like for the miners in the 1900’s. This walk was a slog at some points but well worth it.

Our camp for the night is in Paeroa. This town is famous for one of New Zealand’s most famous products – L&P (Lemon & Paeroa). A lemony fizzy drink. To show due respect to the drink that carries the town’s name, they have erected a huge L&P bottle – well, why wouldn’t you!!