Goldmine Express

To find this box, you need to start from the town of Waihi, on State Highway 2. Waihi is home to Martha Mine, the North Island's only operating hard rock, gold mine, producing more than one million dollars worth of gold and silver per week.

Gold was first discovered on Martha Hill in 1878, and by 1882 the first quartz-crushing battery was in operation. Seven vertical shafts were sunk for the underground Martha Mine; the deepest was 600 metres from the surface. Radiating from the shafts was a network of 175 kilometres of tunnels on 15 horizontal levels. The mighty Martha Mine became one of the most important gold and silver mines in the world. When it closed in 1952, over 174 tonnes of gold and 1,193 tonnes of silver had been produced. Martha Mine reopened in 1987. It is still situated in the town, however the modern Martha is different to the original mine in that mining is by open pit methods. A lookout on Moresby Avenue allows public viewing into the pit.

After you've seen the mine, make your way to Wrigley Street to climb aboard a diesel or steam hauled train and take a trip back in time. The train makes a one hour return trip retracing the route of the old ore trains between Waikino and Waihi. The historic Goldfields Railway features authentic engines, rolling stock and stations, and is a great experience for the whole family. Trains run daily from Waihi Station at 11am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm.

When you arrive at Waikino you will need to take the track to the Owharoa Falls. If you take the first or second train, there is plenty of time to do this walk and return for the train... just don't miss the last train back at 2.45pm. Take your togs if it is a nice day for a dip in the water at the falls.

Once you've completed the walk to the falls, stop in on the way back at the site of the Victoria Battery. This amazing station began its ear-splitting work in 1896, crushing over 800 tonnes of gold-bearing ore each day. It was the largest quartz-crushing plant in Australasia, and the 24 hour pounding could be heard from as far away as Waihi! If you're like us, you probably stopped on the way to the falls anyway to check out these cool remains!!

Walking around the back of the tallest structure, you will come to an iron post sticking straight up from the ground, and nearby you will notice a hole at foot level which is filled with stones. If you remove all the stones you will find your replica of what was once a prolific vehicle around here.

We were not sure about the material we carved this stamp with, so if there is any deterioration or the box needs attention in any way, please contact us.

While you are in the area, you could do the longer Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway, although we recommend taking your car to Waikino if this is your plan, as you don't want to miss the last train back!

Hike Length: 2.8 miles
Elevation Gain: 0 feet