Skip to main content

Exploring Karangahake Gorge


Last weekend we ventured out on one of our road trips this time to explore the Karangahake Gorge. Neither of us had actually gone into the area, just driven past.


This is a very historical place as the East Coast main trunk railway use to run through here. This section of it includes a walkway/cycleway and a 1100 metre tunnel. As you can see from the above 2 photos the main highway runs to the right which leads to Auckland.


We walked through some stunning native scenery, I was looking for fungi and mushrooms but as it wasn't quite wet I could'nt find any. There are also old ruins of abandoned gold mines here which were once used between 1880s and 1950s.


This is one of the bridges we crossed, as I am scared of heights the first one we walked over I had to hold my partner's hand - silly isn't it?

Linking up with Skywatch Friday :-)

Comments

William Kendall said…
A beautiful place!
14 April 2017 at 07:38
local alien said…
Wonderful photos . Brought back lovely memories
14 April 2017 at 07:55
Fun60 said…
What a wonderful walk. Those tree ferns look amazing.
14 April 2017 at 08:55
Yogi♪♪♪ said…
That is a very scenic place. I got a little wobbly on heights also so don't feel bad.
14 April 2017 at 10:41
Spare Parts and Pics said…
What a cool place to explore!! I'm intrigued by the thought of old abandoned gold mines in the area.
14 April 2017 at 11:05
carol l mck said…
Wow! What a beautiful place and terrific photos ~ thanks,

Wishing you a Happy Weekend ~ ^_^
14 April 2017 at 11:33
Stevenson said…
Wishing I was there at the moment savoring the sweet scent of the trees on the trail!
14 April 2017 at 17:22
eileeninmd said…
Hello, I would like to see this area. Very pretty scenery and views. Happy Friday! Enjoy your day! Happy Easter to you and your family.
15 April 2017 at 01:11
Dobson said…
Amy I love seeing the historical photos that include any kind of railway. I am immersing myself in a model railroad hobby at this stage in my life and my love of railroad that has been strong my whole life seems to be blossoming even more.

We have an old rail line here in the SOuthwestern end of the state of Virginia that is a 34 mile bike/walking trail called the Virginia Creeper Trail. The rail line was known as the Virginia Creeper, because the train moved between Abingdon, VA and North Carolina by working its way up White Top Mountain, which has an elevation nearly a mile high.
15 April 2017 at 01:14
likeschocolate said…
Gorgeous! So lovely! Lucky you! Sadly, I don't get out hiking enough!
15 April 2017 at 02:14
Sallie (FullTime-Life) said…
Stunned scenery ... in our family it would be my husband who would be holding my hand ... that sort of bridge is pretty much all he is afraid of. It isn't so much the height as that he doesn't trust the builders ;)). Happy Easter.
16 April 2017 at 03:45
Rhonda Albom said…
I am also nervous of swing bridges but I find them too narrow to allow me to hold anybody's hand.
16 April 2017 at 09:09
NatureFootstep said…
I am always amazed of the people that constructed and built roads and bridges like this. Beautiful too.
18 April 2017 at 11:02
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Grace Brothers

  We have 2 new chickens, both black ladies. If any of you are familiar with British comedy tv shows you will recognize the names we have given them. This one is named Miss Brahms. And this one is named Mrs Slocombe. At the moment we have them in a temporary shelter next to the Special Patrol Group that we've had for the last 9 months just so they can get to know each other before we intigrate the black ones in with the brown ones. These ones give us a white coloured egg whereas the brown shavers give us brown coloured eggs. Linking up with  Tuesday Treasures ,  Happy Tuesdays  and   Wordless Wednesday .
15 comments
Read more

Auckland Metropolis Museum

In amongt the modern new highrise buildings in Auckland City is this smaller vintage building that is currently for sale (I'd buy it if I had the money).   My research found that:  "It was designed by English-born architect Charles Towle and erected in the early 1930s as the Church of Christ, Scientist, the building's Graeco-Roman facade has towering columns that frame its impressive entranceway, with three ornate timber doors decorated with leadlight inserts providing access to the expansive foyer. Arched ceilings dominate the former congregational high stud space beyond the foyer and numerous picturesque windows provide a light, airy feel and an ambience many office buildings lack. The building housed congregational and Sunday school services for 70 years until it was sold and converted into office space in 2003. A significant refurbishment was also carried out with care taken to ensure that the building's distinctive character remained intact. Special architectural ...
16 comments
Read more

Westland Explorer's Monument

  In the nearby town of Hokitka (half an hour away) is the cemetery with this monument near the entranceway. It commemorates 4 men who lost their lives between 1863 and 1866 ; George Dobson - road engineer, murdered in 1866 Charlton Howitt - explorer, drowned in Lake Brunner 1863 Charles Townsend - drowned at Greymouth (probably in the Grey River) 1863 Henry Whitcombe - surveyor, drowned in the Taramakau River in 1863 Construction of the memorial started 1868 and the railings were added in 1869. Linking up with  Mosaic Monday .
11 comments
Read more