After two nights in Opoutere waiting for a pleasant weather, I’m moving again towards the south expecting that the forecast will stay this way.
This is the Whangamata beach 🙂
The touring day has passed
I’m finally in Waihi, the gold city. Contrary to Thames, the gold collect and research are not finished. I should be able to see that somewhere.
What is that building over there? Let’s have a look.
Waihi’s Cornish Pumphouse was built in 1903 to house stem engines and pumping equipment to dewater the historic underground Martha Mine.
In 2006, in an awesome feat of engineering, the Cornish Pumphouse was relocated almost 300m from its original site.
And what’s up there. I see a fence. Could that be the mine?
Walking uphill
It is indeed!
These machines down there which are quite big in real look like tiny toys from here.
That mine is simply massive!
An the city center is right there.
One minute walk, no more.
A little while later
Finally, I’m going to visit Karangahake Gorge. These is also a train to visit it but it’s not in service. I don’t any money to spend anyway.
I have the choice between the main road or the historic walkway. Easy choice 🙂
Better than the road and the view is nicer 🙂
Any train coming?
I double check, just in case 😉
The concrete arches in front of you supported a set of giant steel tanks. The tanks here were massive, about 15 meters high. They were filled with a mix of potassium cyanide solution and crushed ore, and were stirred using compressed air which bubbled through the mixture. Tanks like this were a local invention to maximize gold recovery from very finely crushed ore called “slimes”. This kiwi technology was exported and used around the world.
This is how they used to look.
This is how they look today.
A bit further
I can see the main road on the other side of the river. We are better here for sure!
I’ve reach the main attraction of the day, the one kilometer long tunnel. It’s perfectly straight so we can see the exit from here. Impressive!
Hers is the gorge.
Here we go!
Going through the tunnel
That’s the other side.
The river again.
Another beautiful suspended bridge.
That’s it for the visit. I’m going back to the campsite now.
A little while later
This afternoon was good :-). This campsite looks particularly cute.
During my way to come here, I’ve realized that my front tire was a bit flat. That’s my first puncture after almost 2000km. And five minute ago, I discovered that the tire of my trailer was completely flat as well!! I must repair two tires tonight to be ready for tomorrow.
They also have a pool which I will not use.
That’s my spot for tonight.
And the toilets, I forgot the toilets, important place to know if you wake up on the middle of the night. That’s all for today. Now, I have to repair my inner tubes…