Golden Cross Mine Site Car Park

So sad, some time ago we could drive to the top car park. It was our favourite picnic spot. I took many wonderful photos from there. My legs aren't that great anymore and today we planned to make a nostalgic trip back. But sadly.... The lower gate is shut... The signs with the gate times has been removed... The dog walking car park is no longer safe to use and is well overgrown. All so very sad when you see such important local history get covered over. I did hear that the people farming the mine area had a few issues with their stock... But all the same Waihi is losing a lot of visible history and the tramping public is losing some fantastic walks and sites. Wake up kiwis.... It isnt just here,,,, we are fast losing our tracks, access to these tracks and our old camping sites.
Apr 26th, 2023

Impossible to review, as the several times over the last couple of years we've headed up, the gate has been locked, regardless of what the operating hours state online. Please up date the hours on Google. Or just say its no longer operating
Jul 28th, 2022

Apr 3rd, 2022

Gate closed, no vehicle access, no off road parking?
Jul 19th, 2021

The access road ends abruptly at a locked gate just after a ford. Parking is on the side of the road. There's some nice walking on a sunny day around the lake above the old mine site, with other tracks off to the left from the lake junction. It's not exciting walking but beautiful views south from the lake, and north to Maratoto Rock and the Firth of Thames on the Maratoto Track saddle. Other old tracks can be found on the Ohinemuri website by searching Chooks Tracks. Stopping for lunch overlooking the old open cast mine is nice, and a few additions around the lake (tree planting, bbqs) would make this a nice getaway with the family.
Jul 28th, 2020