Waitawheta Camp Activities
Indoor activities:
- Table tennis table with bats and balls
Outdoor activities:
- Large and small rock climbing walls
- Low ropes confidence course
- Flying Fox
- Basketball hoops - Basket/rugby/soccer balls, cricket set and frisbees available at no charge.
- Grassed playing field
- Swimming and canoeing in the nearby Waitawheta River
- Native bush Burma Trail
- Kayak Hire: 12 Kayaks on a Trailer $50.00
Off-site Activities:
Transport available
From Auckland to the camp OR from the camp to your activities: www.murphybuses.co.nz
Gold Discovery Centre
Visit the Gold Discovery Centre and explore the Waihi Gold Experience and organise taking the Gold Mine Tour.
Hauraki Rail Trail
A great way to spend the day walking or cycling through the spectacular Karangahake Gorge.
Something you can organise yourself, or you can hire bikes.
Location: 5 minutes drive from the camp.
Athenree Hot Springs
The public is also welcome to use our hot pools (not just paying guests).
There are two natural mineral pools. The larger pool is at 33-35C with an average depth of 1.3m with a shallow section for toddlers. Our smaller adult relaxing pool is at a temperature of 39.5C. A change room with toilets, showers and heated floors is located within the complex.
Bullswool Farm Park
Experience one of new Zealand’s most unique and interesting working farms. Explore beautiful farmland, set in a secluded, bush clad valley. Get up close to our huge variety of unusual rare breed animals. All are friendly and can be hand fed.
Location: 10 minutes drive from camp.
Victoria Battery
This is the historic site of the Victoria Battery gold ore processing plant, accessible from the Karangahake walkway . There is a museum and tramway for guided tours.
Goldfields Railway
Experience NZ Rail History. The historic Goldfields Railway runs three times daily between Waihi and Waikino.
From there the Victoria Battery Tramway provides rides around Waikino’s historic gold and silver extraction battery site (see next section below). Both attractions are adjacent to the Karangahake Walkway. Prior bookings essential.
Beach Education Programme
Beach education, surf lifesaving programmes, with day sessions available at Waihi Beach.
Minimum and maximum numbers apply.
Bookings: Surf Lifesaving Eastern Office
PO Box 13355
TAURANGA
P: 07 574 2061
Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach is one of new Zealand’s most beautiful surf beaches. For toddlers there is the very calm and safe Anzac Bay. Located just 15 minutes drive from camp.
Waihi Museum
Learn about Waihi and the surrounding region. The museum presents the history of the gold mining era in the Ohinemuri Goldfields and the Waihi Mines.
Martha Gold Mine
Martha Mine Education Centre
For tours and education programmes.
OceanaGold Education Centre
Corner Moresby Avenue and Savage Road,
Waihi
P: 07 863 9880
Overnight Camp
Dickey Flat is a (Department Of Conservation) campsite located just 8 minutes drive from the camp.
Give your group a taste of sleeping out, long-drop toilets, eeling, night bush walking, etc. Many schools do this as a rotation night activity. Waitawheta camp has 2 tents, cookers, pots etc available free for use.
Kayaking
The camp has a trailer with 12 kayaks available for hire. There are a mix of ‘sit ins’ and ‘ride ons’ plus extra’ ride ons’ available if you have a trailer or roof racks. These come with lifejackets.
Cost: $50 per day for all for use of all of the kayaks. This is only available to camp users.
Some great places to kayak:
- Waitawheta River (beginners): 1-minute drive
- Karangahake Gorge: 5-minute drive
- Dickey Flat: 5-minute drive
- Tauranga Harbour at Anzac Bay (end of Waihi Beach): 25-minute drive. There is also an excellent abseiling cliff there. Anzac Bay is shallow and a non-surf beach so usually quite calm.
- Athenree: 20-minute drive. Tide dependant but can sometimes be easier than Anzac Bay. You could follow up with a swim at Athenree Hot Pools :)
Tramping
There’s a large number of tramps/walks in close driving proximity to camp – from 1 hour walks to overnighters.
Karangahake Gorge- Rated in the top ten New Zealand natural attractions. amazing bush walks through old gold mines. Cycle Trail. Torches required for tunnels.
Kaimai/Mamaku Forest - Ask the caretakers for a map of these walks. Waitawheta Hut tramp is a gentle incline and a 7 hour return tramp with two river crossings.
Dickey Flat - Great swimming hole & walk to (50m tunnel and waterfall/swimming hole 25 minutes, torch required) or Karangahake Gorge 1 hour one way.
Martha Mine Pit Rim - 1 hour, walk includes re-planted native bush with excellent views into the mine pit.
Waihi Beach walks - Orokawa Bay: 40 minutes each way or further to Haumuga Bay, walks at both ends of Waihi Beach.
Black Hill, Waihi - an excellent one hour walk to view Waihi town and surrounding areas.
Note: The Waitawheta River rises very quickly after rain, and as there are many crossings on some walks, it is essential to be aware of the weather forecast, and have alternative track options. If using the Franklin Road access, ensure vehicles do not go beyond the end of the road - do not take your vehicles over the ford as this is private property. The safest walks in most weather are within the Karangahake Gorge, Victoria Battery, Martha Mine Pit Rim.
Waitawheta River
An excellent river for swimming, just five minutes walk from camp. Also an excellent kayak river for beginners.
Note: Please check the depth and for hidden rocks before diving into unknown waterholes.
