Waihi Gorge is in the Waihi River, about 15 km north of Geraldine, in the foothills of the Four Peaks Range. From State Highway 79, one km north of Geraldine, take Woodbury Road to the west. Follow the road for about 15 km to the access road to Waihi Gorge Campsite.
The campsite is located on the banks of the Waihī River, with a remnant forest of mainly kahikatea, mataī, and lowland tōtara along the river's edge. There is also a rare stand of surviving lowland tawhairauriki (black beech). The river is a popular swimming spot in summer, but it is picturesque at any time of the year. You can walk along the river's edge in either direction or cross it, getting wet, to the main part of the forest. Take care, as it is dense in places with no marked tracks.
On the way to the gorge, you also pass through the tiny hamlet of Woodbury. It was initially called Waihi Bush, and both names are a nod to the industry that removed most of the remaining native forest east of the Four Peaks Range. But there is an excellent cafe and a surprising and unique NZ history.
Opposite the cafe is a war memorial, and behind it is a small Arts and Crafts house. The house is the Eleanor Howard Tripp Memorial Library. Eleanor was associated with the Orari Gorge Station and believed in providing books and education to the employees there. When she died in 1936, the local community built a house with one room for the local library and one for local history. It is one of only three buildings in NZ constructed to commemorate a woman's life! Unfortunately, opening hours are limited, and there is no website to check. There is also an interesting panel describing a series of historic photos, and another provides the names of the four Peaks: Devils Peak, Fiery Peak, Waihi Peak, and Tripps Peak. They are around 1,500 to 1,650 metres high.
Walking along blossom tree-lined Burdon Road from the cafe, you will see the historic St Thomas’ Church (1876), built from river stone, and a small pretty lagoon.
