Exploring Caves and Gold Mining Sites

The next morning, it was drizzling and we decided to have another go at finding that geocache.  We looked everywhere and never could find it.  So we headed back to the van and geared up with water shoes and headlamps to explore the cave.

The entrance was very slippery, but once in the actual stream area, was easier footing.  We stopped and sat on a large rock for our eyes to adjust to the darkness.  Scott Cook stated that only then, could you see the glowworms.  And little by little, they made their presence apparent.  So we wandered down (or was it up?) the stream a bit and found another area with higher density of glowworms.  I could see the stream cascading a bit in another chamber, but we stuck to the large chamber.  It was our first venture into caving and I suppose we were a little tentative.

We had realized the night before that we had forgotten some of the pamphlets and DVDs that Kenrick had offered and since we were now going to head south and pass right by his residence, we could pick them up.  We stopped at a bakery only a few blocks from Kenrick’s house and asked the young man behind the counter if there was a payphone nearby.  He offered us his cellphone; we called Kenrick, and picked up the forgotten folder right away.

It was a long drive to Karangahake Gorge, and the weather started deteriorating.  I worried because 99% of our planned activated were outdoors.  We arrived at the gorge carpark and started off only to return quickly and retrieve an umbrella for yours truly.  Off again we went to explore the Windows Walk.

What a lush and beautiful area this was!  The route was carved into the mountainside.  There were tunnels to explore, which were the tunnels used in the era they mined for gold.  A panel showed just how extensive those tunnels were, and in many layers, or floors.  The mountain was Swiss cheese!  We also walked the main river and through a long tunnel to return.

By then, the rain was coming down pretty hard and we got soaked walking back.  A sign indicated that there was a winery across the street and we figured we had time for wine tasting and it was a good place to dry off.  I think the woman at Ohinemuri Estate Winery thought we wanted dinner and was explaining we were too early.  But we sorted out we were after wine and she happily poured us some tastings.  After that, we made our way to nearby Dickey Flat.

Dickey Flat is a DOC (Department of Conservation) campsite where there are basic facilities such as cold showers and a long drop (outhouse sort of toilet).  They charge $6 per person and you place your payment in an envelope and drop it into a box.  It was our home for the night, along with about 14 other campervans, one of which parked rather close to us.

The Adventure Continues>>>