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A window into our mining past
Take in the Southern Coromandel's best biking while getting a fascinating close-up on our goldmining and early rail history.
Waihi town's cycleways take you back in time! Exploring this old town with a heart of gold will surprise and delight you. Spend a day with our handy map on a self guided ride around the old gold processing sites and rail corridors of the old goldtown. Story and picture boards along the way re-tell stories from the pioneers and photo panoramas show what an industrious place this was in the height of the gold rush. Rusting relics and massive buildings tell their tales as you cycle by. Map courtesy of Designshed
50 metres from the towns main street is one of the largest man made holes in the world! 
Martha Mine has now been mined over three centuries. Originally a hill next to town, Martha is now a 260metre deep pit that has some of the richest gold and silver bearing ore in the world.Cycle the pit rim and watch as the massive machines work below. You may be there at the right time to watch a blast.
left: Ride the Black Hill mountain bike tracks and visit the lookouts from the top.
above: Cycle out to the old railway station and see the projects that the rail enthusiasts are working on.
Or use our shuttle service- we will pick you up from your Waihi/ Waihi Beach accomodation or the information centre at the top of the main street with your bikes for the day. We drop you and your bikes off at the old Waihi Station. www.waihirail.co.nz
Enjoy a 7 kilometre ride on the historic railway train to the Waikino Station in the gorge where you will cycle the old rail trail through an area rich in history and natural beauty
The breathtaking Karangahake Gorge is rich in mining history and riddled with cycle tracks, walkways and old tunnels. This picturesque stretch of river was once home to one of the busiest gold strikes in the country. Three huge, steam-operated mining batteries were built there in the 1890s to process ore. The area is so peaceful now that it's hard to imagine the ear-shattering noise of the battery stamper heads pounding 24-hours-a-day.
An easy grade 7-kilometre cycle track follows the route of a historic rail line and the Ohinemuri River along the valley, exploring old battery sites and gold mining relics. Highlights are the 1-kilometre disused railway tunnel with its bricked lining and the 'Windows walk' the 'windows' blasted by the miners through the mine tunnel walls and out through the cliffs fronting the Waitewheta River. Originally designed for throwing waste rock out of the mine, they now allow great viewing of the surrounding area. Another 4.5 kilometre ride is available to Dickeys Flat camping area along the river and over suspension bridges. Take our famous picnic lunch with you to enjoy the resting sites and a number of large pools in the Ohinemuri River that are good for swimming during the summer.
Southern Coromandel has fabulous activities, cafes and bars and several museum and mining centres. As well as the spectacular Karangahake Gorge cycle tracks only a short cycle or vintage train ride away. We are only 1 hour away from far more boring places like Auckland and Hamilton!
Cycle Escapes
info@overthetopadventures.co.nz
Phone or text 021 205 7266
