Explore Waikato

Waikato is located south of the Bombay Hills (from Auckland) and stretches down to the king country where it is famous for sheep farming.

Tramping Trip Report: Leitchs Track/Hut (2016)
Tramping Trip Report: Pureora / Hauhungaroa Track (2017)
Tramping Trip Report: Pirongia (2019)

Rangiriri

When the Europeans first settled in New Zealand, this was the location of the famous Maori land wars. Today the area is now farm land. I had an opportunity to visit the local Maori's and take a ride on a Waka. This was a wonderful experience, especially on my 14th birthday.

Having a ride on a Maori Waka | Photo Credit: Chris Foster

Coromandel Forest Park

Just out of Thames is the Kauaeranga Valley. This is where you can see the effects of the Kauri Logging that occurred in the late 1800's. Take the Kauri trail up the Kauaeranga Valley to the Pinnacles Hut. Where you can tramp up to the Pinnacles peak where you can see Auckland in the distance and the Pacific Ocean on the other side. This area has lots of great weekend tramps which is only 1 1/2 hours drive from Auckland.

Tramping Trip Report: Kauaeranga Valley / Pinnacles (1998)
Tramping Trip Report: Kauaeranga Valley / Pinnacles (2001)
Tramping Trip Report: Kauaeranga Valley / Pinnacles (2002)
Tramping Trip Report: Piraunui / Kaitarakihi / Hihi (2005)
Tramping Trip Report: Kauaeranga Valley / Pinnacles (2006)
Tramping Trip Report: Kauaeranga Valley / Pinnacles (2009)
Tramping Trip Report: Kauaeranga Valley / Pinnacles (2010)
Tramping Trip Report: Crosbies Hut (2017)
Tramping Trip Report: Crosbies Hut (2020)

A part of the Pinnacles peak | Photo Credit: Chris Foster

View towards Table Mountain (flat top) | Photo Credit: Chris Foster

In the future I plan to conquer Table Mountain.