Tairua Heritage Walk
This short walk, which starts and finishes at the information centre, takes you through some of the historic sites in the old part of Tairua. The route sees you cross the inlet, go round the wharf, up the hill to a lookout, before returning.
Directions: Start at the information centre, Cross the road and head towards the bridge over Pepe Stream. The original bridge at this point was built as a footbridge in 1911 there was another footbridge in 1942.
Prior to 1911 there was another footbridge, known as the 1000ft bridge that ran from just inside the inlet to a point of the far side, where the track form Whitianga came down from the hills. Extensive logging was carried out in the hills behind the inlet just after the turn of the century an a tramway as built right across the inlet to a point near where the present motel/restaurant is, to carry logs to the harbour. There was also a hotel built about 1890, on a point just inside the inlet of the southern side.
Once over the bridge, head to the left, round the side of the hall, to a path at the rear. The hall built in 1933, has been added to and refurbished over the years. The original hall forms its central core.
Follow the path on the edge of the harbour to the wharf. This structure was extensively repaired in 1940 to recondition the one build in 1930, which had been built to replace the one build it 1919. the remains of these can be seen in the mud near high tide level, just to the right of the present wharf. A bit further along is the boiler from the dairy factory that was once sited in this area.
There were two sawmills in this area, situated right on the edge of the shore. The first was built in 1864 and the second in 1878.
Continue on up Wharf Road and head to the right toward the main road, The area on your left is the site of the original motor camp, dating back to 1938. The old building here, and the one on the corner, date back to the 1940’s. the corner building was once a store and a focal point for the area.
If you stand on the corner facing the main road and look across the road to the left you will see an old house at number 147. this was the old school house, built for the teacher in 1879. The mill owners set up the school, which was once alongside. Staying on the main road, head right to the old cemetery. Although people were buried here from the late 1860’s, official records didn’t start until 1876. The last burials here were in the early 1950’s.
Now you head up to the top of what the early settlers called Flagstaff Hill. It got its name form the cross-armed flagstaff that was erected there to signal passing ships, when the mail had freight or passengers to be picked up. To get there, walk up the concrete driveway and steps to the left of the cemetery. Turn sharp left at the top and continue on behind the houses to a set of steep steps on your right. These will bring you out onto a cul-de-sac. Walk out to the intersectionand turn right, then right again into Ridge Road. Walk up this road toward the cul-de-sac at the crest of the hill, where on the right hand side, beside number 17, is a grassy strip that runs between houses, marked by a white walkway marker. This takes you out to the Gazebo Lookout. From here you get great views of the harbour and Paku, the township and, to the rear, Slipper Island and Mt Pauanui.
Return back out to the road an turn right down the concrete drive way between the houses. Enjoy the views over the Pepe Inlet form here. Continue on behind the houses to the end of the driveway to a set of steps tucked into the right. Follow these down to the main road and head left back tot he bridge, only 100m away.
Time: 40 minutes return
(Text courtesy of “Inch by Inch – Guide to Tairua / Pauanui”)
Mount Paku 
A relatively short walk and visitors will
be rewarded with spectacular 360-degree views.
Displays are placed at the summit identifying
parts of the panorama and rich history of
the area.
Directions: From Tairua town centre follow Manaia Road,
turn right into Paku Drive, and then right
into Tirinui Crescent. The start of the track
is signposted from the end of the crescent.
Time: 30-45 minutes
return
Note: Steep last
10-15 metres
Twin Kauri Scenic Reserve
On the right hand side (heading north) on the main road north of Tairua are two stunning Kauri trees standing side by side. These two Kauri trees, known as the Twin Kauri’s, are easily accessible and well worth the photo opportunity. There is a small walk from the Twin Kauri’s, which will take you to a smaller plantation of kauri trees and other natives.
Directions: Approximately 10 minutes drive north out of Tairua on SH25. Situated on the right side of the road the Twin Kauri’s mark the start of the track. Please check the track conditions at the Tairua Information Centre; this track is not always open. You can however see the Twin Kauri trees from the road.
Time: 30 minutes return
Broken Hills
19kms south of Tairua at Hikuai is a turnoff to the right that takes visitors to a Department of Conservation area called Broken Hills, part of the Puketui Valley. Broken Hills has a number of walking tracks of varying lengths in beautiful New Zealand bush.
Broken Hills was formerly a thriving goldfield in the early 1900s. There are relics of the gold mining past still in evidence, and these are easily accessible via a network of walking tracks in the area. It was also logged for kauri and only a few patches of unmodified forest remains today. The regenerating forest includes Towai, Manuka, Rewarewa, Fivefinger and Totara.
Directions: Visitors can access Broken Hills via Morrisons Road, which starts from opposite the Pauanui turnoff at Prescotts Mobil service station, (19km south of Tairua and 27km north of Whangamata). After 1km, just before crossing the Tairua River, turn left onto Puketui Road, Broken Hills is 6km along the unsealed road.
The beautiful river gorge setting provides many opportunities for walking, swimming, canoeing, trout fishing, fossicking, rafting, bird watching, photography, picnicking and camping. Most tracks at Broken Hills are gravel but well formed. Maps of the tracks are placed around the area as a guide. Guided walking in the area is available.
Tip: The Department of Conservation has maps of the walks available in the Broken Hill area. To find these guides visit an information centre on arrival into the Coromandel area.
Gem of the Boom Creek Walk
This walks takes you through the site of an old mining village. Little is left except an old jail, which is well worth a visit, check the walls and roof for those that make this their home.
Directions: 300m before the Bridge Carpark, the track is signposted on the left.
Time: 30 minutes return
Broken Hill Battery Walk
This track follows the old tramway that transported the unprocessed ore in the late 1800’s. Taking you to the Broken Hills Mine, which was in operation form 1896 to 1914.
The rusting ironmongery seen on the path was once the blacksmith’s shop.
Directions: Access is to the left of the Bridge Carpark. Alternatively you can take the track to the right at the beginning of the Gem of the Boom Creek Walk.
Time: 20 minutes Return
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