Northern Adventure Aviation Group's Big Day Out

Posted on 22/12/2010 by Admin

Recently, the Northern Adventure Aviation Group got together for a 'Big Day Out ' in Waihi, incorporating a Waihi Goldmine Tour, a vintage train ride on the Goldfield's Railway and the Window's Walk through the Karangahake Gorge.

The group gathered at the Swell Cafe on the Waihi beach Airfield enjoying breakfast. Aircraft had flown in from various locations: Tauranga, Whakatane, Ohaupo, Pukekohe and Whangarei.

The group of over 20 arrived at the Waihi Information Centre where they collected tour guide, Murray Elliot. Murray provided the commentary for the Martha Mine Tour. They visited the pit rim which, to these pilots, looked a lot bigger at ground level than at fifteen hundred feet above! The one and a half hour tour then took them to the treatment plant where the bullion is extracted from the rock.

The next part of their day out took the group to the the Goldfields Railway Station where they boarded a train for Waikino. The thirty minute trip to the Waikino Cafe at the Waikino Station follows the Ohinemuri River through farmland and across a viaduct above State Highway Two.

Following lunch at the cafe, it was onto the bus again for a short ride to the Karangahake Gorge carpark at the Paeroa end of the gorge.  They then did the Windows Walk, a stunning short walk - just one of the many walkways that follows the Waitawheta River.

The day finished up back at the Waihi Beach airfield and a BBQ dinner.

Information and pictures:
Northern Adventure Aviation Group Newsletter, Volume 2 No.2
Waihi Big Day Out, by Max Deane