Exploring Broken Hills
Located on the Coromandel Peninsula, Broken Hills is a fascinating destination for those interested in New Zealand's gold mining history. Situated west of Hikuai and accessible via Puketui Valley Road, the valley is enclosed by steep forested slopes and cut through by the Tairua River, creating a landscape that combines natural beauty with one of the most intact historic gold-mining areas in the region.
River Setting and Forest Scenery
The valley starts with farmland and narrows as you approach the DOC campsite. The river becomes the central feature of the landscape, with clear pools beneath rocky bluffs. The regenerating forest includes mānuka, kānuka, rewarewa, and emerging stands of tawa and podocarp species.
Mining reshaped parts of the valley, but the forest has reclaimed much of the terrain; shafts and old bench cuttings now sit among young native growth. As you move further upstream, the valley sides steepen into the rugged topography that early miners were forced to navigate.
Walks and Underground Adventures
Start your exploration by driving to the final car park at the far end of Puketui Valley Road, past the campsite. From here, the river track south forms the first stage of a walking loop, passing remnants of the Government Battery site and with short side trails to the Water Race Tunnels. These features date from the early 1900s when miners channelled water across the slopes to drive their machinery.
A rougher hiking track then climbs sharply toward Collins Drive, a 500-metre tunnel cut through the hillside. You will need a torch, and you should be prepared to duck in sections where the ceiling lowers. Emerging from the western portal, the track continues along a narrow benched route, with a short detour to a viewpoint overlooking the Pinnacles. The whole loop back to the river takes up to three hours, depending on stops.
Experienced trampers can continue beyond the loop track, following a historic route that once linked Broken Hills to the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames. This route is a very rugged tramp and takes a day.
History and Culture of the Puketui Valley
The Puketui Valley lies within the rohe of Ngāti Maru and related Hauraki iwi, whose traditional occupation extended across the Coromandel ranges and river valleys. The name Puketui refers to the hills that define the valley’s shape, which provided seasonal resources and travel routes between the Coromandel coasts.
European presence intensified from the late nineteenth century when gold was discovered in the Broken Hills. Mining was underway by 1893, followed by significant investment in the early 1900s when the Broken Hills Gold Mining Company constructed batteries, tramways, and tunnels to extract gold and silver ore.
Despite bursts of optimism, the company struggled. The quartz proved difficult to process, and repeated floods damaged equipment along the river margins. Small settlements, with a school and a post office, persisted until the 1950s, but then the mines were abandoned. One of the most accessible sets of relics in the Coromandel was left to forest regeneration and hikers.
Local Facilities
The DOC campsite beside the river has tent sites near swimming holes and short walks, and the day-use area offers basic facilities for picnics. The surrounding forest park includes additional tracks and old workings that can also be explored. Nearby Hikuai has a store where you can get basic supplies.
How to Get There
From Tairua, Thames or Whangamatā, follow State Highway 25 to Hikuai, then turn west onto Puketui Valley Road. The sealed section becomes gravel and narrows as you enter the forested valley.
The drive from Tairua takes around 20 minutes, from Thames 43 minutes, and from Whangamatā about 30 minutes. From Auckland, it is a 2-hour drive.
Nearby places to visit include Tairua, Pauanui, and Oputere.
