We stopped for fuel and found full driveway service!! This is something I remember from my childhood, but haven't seen for many years. A young lady in fluoro vest wanted to fill our tank and clean our windows but Trev still had to go in and wait in the line to pay at the checkout. Apparently this service is expected by Americans who visit the area.
We followed the coast road , winding our way behind a line of various old cars (all Dodges of some description) between high hedges made of pine trees and sheltering kiwi fruit and avocado plantations. (10 avocados for $5) and decided to take the road into Waihi beach to try to see the water (still following the old cars). Even on this beach road there was no water on view!!
We headed, unsatisfied, out of the beach and into Waihi proper. The old gold mine (originally tunnels, but now a huge open cut pit) has a walk around the rim, and we decided, despite the rain, to do at least some of that walk and have a look. The pit is almost 200m deep, (shafts used to go 600m deep).
There is very little action there at the moment and the mine is in the process of being rehabilitated and closed completely, with a plan to fill with water and form a lake stocked with fish and able to be used for boating, and swimming.
Along the walk you could have a close up look at how big those mine trucks are.
The old pump house was moved from its original position 300 away to preserve it. They raised it on to Teflon pads and slid it along stainless steel plates!!
 |
| They left the last of the steel plates in place so we could picture the move. |
You can see the fence of the gold mine up the hill from the pump house and a line of red. That is a line of poppies placed to remember those who served in WW1. This is a Lions project. In many towns around NZ we saw flags and memorials of ANZAC and were even asked if Aussies celebrated ANZAC day too!
 |
| We saw flags like this in many places and this stylise |
Next stop was a walk at Karangahake which had been recommended by John N. I had had this on my list of things to do this day, but given the lousy weather we may not have bothered if John hadn't told us it was worth it.
 |
| Looking out of a window |
 |
| Suspension bridge |
 |
| Looking at a window from across the gorge |
The rain saved me from taking hundreds of photos.
As with many old mining spots the town, once about 2000 strong, is long gone, leaving a few local houses and cafes, and many old rusty relics -pieces of heavy equipment, old battery buildings, old tunnels and in this case some suspension bridges.
 |
| Old tramline |
 |
| View down from the lookout |
Having effectively used up a good portion of our day again on going not very far, but seeing some interesting places we were quite happy, and wound our way via the river route (very little river view as per usual) to our motel in Thames.
After checking in we headed out again to take in the town. We found that they have a coastal walk which follows the sea front, winding along the mud flats and mangroves, and including a bird hide constructed with compensation money from the the Rainbow Warrior sinking! To make the walk more interesting the walk has painted decorations, the bollards are rainbow coloured and the croquet club have come on board and painted one of their fences too. It really did lift the dreary grey day. A model railway adds to the local attractions.
We spotted a big white monument up on the hill above town and drove and round to investigate, winding up a steep, narrow road past many homes with steep narrow driveways. It is the local war memorial.
No comments:
Post a Comment