Broken Hills Water Race Easy Hike

A short, easy loop on the Coromandel Peninsula that’s perfect for kids or when you’re short on time, with tunnels, river crossings, and just enough adventure to make it feel far more exciting than it should for such a quick walk.

Overview

This Broken Hills Water Race Back Loop is a short 2.5km circuit located in the Coromandel Forest Park on the Coromandel Peninsula, featuring a mix of native forest, historic gold mining relics, and narrow hand-carved tunnels. Starting from the back of the track, this variation includes a shallow river crossing and takes around 2 hours to complete at a relaxed pace with a child, making it a great option for those short on time but still looking for a unique and adventurous walk.

Access

Trailhead: End of Puketui Road near farmland (back entrance to the track)
Suggested Meeting Point: Tairua if coming from the east, or Thames if coming from Auckland (or just head to the trailhead).
Travel time: By car: ~1 hour 50 minutes from Auckland ~30 minutes from Tairua

Broken Hills Water Race Back Loop Trail Information

Hike time: ~2 hours
Season: Winter (July)
Difficulty: Fitness (Grade 1: Easy) Technical (Grade 1: Easy*) *See notes below
Safety Notes: This route includes a river crossing at the start of the hike. While it was clear and below knee height during our visit, the water was cold and the rocks were slippery. In the event of heavy rain or elevated river levels, this crossing could be dangerous. If you’re unsure, it is strongly recommended to complete the walk from the Broken Hills Campground instead. River crossings should never be underestimated.

Post Hike Report

For logistical reasons, as we were travelling back to Auckland from Tairua, we decided to do this hike from the “back”, which involves taking the dirt Puketui Road and parking at the end of the trail next to a farm.

At the very start of the walk, you need to cross a small river that flows into the Tairua River. It was very cold and slippery, but with the water level below our knees we decided to go for it. Carrying our child as well as a Unirider across made it a bit of a mission. In the event of heavy rain or where the river is flooded, we strongly recommend instead doing this walk the regular way from the Broken Hills Campground. Do not underestimate the danger of a river crossing.

From here, the track follows a clear but at times muddy trail alongside the beautiful Tairua River, offering glimpses of kauri trees and classic New Zealand bush. We stopped at the old battery site along the way before making a quick stop at the toilets at the campground.

On the way back, we headed uphill along the Main Range Track, which includes some steps and gradually opens up to nice views of the river below. We then turned off onto the Water Race Track, a short but impressive section that cuts into the hillside. In places, the track is carved deeply into the terrain and passes through several narrow, dark tunnels.

Despite being a short walk, this section feels adventurous and is especially great for kids. Our toddler is now obsessed with “water races”, and every track we walk now is apparently an old one.

If you have more time, the walk could easily be extended further along the Main Range Track to a lookout or toward the longer tunnel at Collins Drive. However, with only a couple of hours available, this smaller loop was perfect for breaking up the drive.

The Water Race Track loops back around and reconnects with the original trail, leading back to the river crossing where we returned to the car. You could complete the loop in the opposite direction, but saving the more exciting tunnel section until the end makes it far more enjoyable.

Other photos of the Broken Hills Water Race Back Loop

Useful Resources

• Department of Conservation Trail Information
• Broken Hill Gold Area and Collins Drive Information
• Department of Conservation Day Hike Pack lists