The Karamatura Valley was the location of a number of houses and infrastructure associated with the 1854 Niagara Mill opened by the Gibbons family. The mill itself was located at the mouth of the Karamatura stream in Huia Bay and was known for its 8m overshot waterwheel. Logs from the lower valley were taken to the mill via a tramline that traversed the present-day track while logs from further up were driven down through a series of earth holding dams.
The start of the track begins at the Karamatura Valley car park where a pou (carved wooden post) depicts the story of two lovers from Tainui and Te Kawerau a Maki who met on a shark fishing camp in Whatipu. The pair eloped and hid behind a waterfall where they became deaf from the roaring waters.
Fortunately, some large kauri survived the milling era and remain in the valley today. The Auckland Council have been doing a great deal of work to protect them from a water mold by the tongue twisting name of Phytophthora Agathidicida which attacks kauri trees via their root system.
It’s important that those searching for these caches stay on the track and make sure that their footwear, and any equipment like walking poles, are disinfected at the cleaning station when they enter and exit.
All caches have been placed in a way that does not require a person to leave the track, you’ll have to extend your limbs here and there though.
Hope you enjoy the walk!