Historic & Scenic Karangahake Gorge – South of Auckland

South of Auckland is a great place to go for a drive. This area has a lot to offer to those who want to get back to nature or just take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

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If you are travelling around New Zealand, the best way is by car. Not only do you get to see more but you will also find more hidden gems that the average traveller doesn’t see.

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Try using these accommodation websites to find a comfortable place to sleep after your day exploring, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.

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Pokeno Ice Cream Shop south of Auckland.
The Original Ice Cream Shop.

Less than 45 minutes south of Auckland, on the other side of the Bombay Hills, is the little township of Pokeno, which is great for a Sunday drive. For years it has been the stopping-off point for travellers, especially at the Original Pokeno Ice Cream Shop. It’s an excellent place to enjoy a break in the drive south and east.

Pokeno Ice Cream
The delicious Orange Choc Chip and Banana Berry are only $3 as of 2019.

Of course, there is more than ice cream here, it is also a takeaway, including pies, sandwiches and fried foods. With 40 delicious flavours, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

If you visit on a Sunday between 8 am-2 pm, you can also visit the Farmers’ Markets held on the other side of the Original Ice Cream Shop.

How to Get Here

Take the Pokeno turn-off from Highway 1. The Pokeno Ice Cream and Coffee Shop is at 57 Great South Road, 57 km from Auckland City.

Hours

6 am – 6 pm daily

Karangahake Gorge

An hour-and-a-half southeast of Auckland is the Karangahake Gorge, steeped in history, walks and waterfalls.

A large car park is on the right-hand side of the road, coming from Auckland. It is from here that you start your walks in the Karangahake Gorge. Click here to find a list of them.

Karangahake Gorge Walkway south of Auckland.
Bridges over the river leading to the tracks in Karangahake Gorge.

Tracks taking 5-minutes to nearly 3 hours, lead you to places of interest. Here you can see historic sites and nature at its best.

Tunnel Entrance Karangahake Gorge.
The long and dark tunnel has lighting from the roof every 20 metres. You can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I did the tunnel loop track, which starts just after you cross the bridge. You can use either route once you’re on the other side. I chose to go up first instead of over the second bridge, which followed the river downstream. After crossing another bridge over the main highway, it takes you to the entrance to the old rail tunnel. Walking through here, it’s just over a kilometre long at 1086 metres.

Inside the Tunnel Karangahake Gorge.
Although it is lit (the flash on my camera has lit it more than it is), it is still pretty dark here, and a torch is recommended.

This tunnel was built from 1900 to 1905 to quicken up the process of getting the gold out, with rail being a lot quicker than the pack horses they had in the early 1900s.

Once you have passed through, turn right, which takes you back to the car park via the loop track. You could also carry on for another 3km to Owharoa Falls.

Up the Karangahake Gorge river and track.
The road on the left-hand side with the track and the right-hand side with the Ohinemuri River flowing in-between.

How to Get Here

Karangahake Gorge is an hour and a half or 129 km from Auckland City. From Highway 1, take the State Highway 2 turnoff at Pokeno. 80 km (1 hour) from Pokeno, the Gorge car park will be on the right-hand side of the road.

Owharoa Falls Karangahake Gorge

The beautiful Owharoa Falls are south of Auckland at Karangahake Gorge. They’re only a one-minute walk off the road and two minutes from the car park. Turn off the main road when you’re through the Karangahake Gorge, and cross the one-way bridge. You then turn left just after into the car park. Just 100m up the road is the entrance to the track and a minute down is the falls.

Owharoa Falls in Karangahake Gorge south of Auckland.
The beautiful Owharoa Falls in the Karangahake Gorge.

With such an easy walk, it’s hard to believe these Falls can be so beautiful, but they are. You can swim here, but it’s not recommended as strong currents, deep holes, snags, and slippery rocks can be fatal.

How to Get Here

Owharoa Falls car park is a 5-minute drive from Karangahake Gorge. The Falls are then a 2-minute walk down a small track on the other side of the road from the car park.

You can also walk from the Karangahake Tunnel Walk.

Paeroa

South of Auckland is the township of Paeroa, home to the iconic carbonated drink L & P.

If you’re after lunch or dinner on your trip, the L & P Café is the place to stop and refresh.

Here you can try many L & P-inspired dishes, including ice cream.

L & P Cafe south of Auckland.
Paeroa is the home of the carbonated drink Lemon & Paeroa.

Only about 10 minutes back toward Auckland from Karangahake Gorge, Paeroa is a great little town. There are plenty of places to eat including the L & P Café in Thames. You can also have your photo taken with the big L & P bottle.

L & P Cafe Hours

8 am – 8 pm daily

How to Get Here

Paeroa is less than an hour from Auckland City on State Highway 2. Take the turn-off from State Highway 1 at Pokeno.

Conclusion

Whether it’s a Sunday drive you’re taking south of Auckland to Karangahake Gorge or just spending time in the area, there is much more to see and do.

To read my blog on Cathedral Cove nearby on the Coromandel Peninsula, click here.

There is so much to see and do in the Auckland area, and if you want to see more, you can read my blogs on 25 Best Attractions to See in Auckland N.Z. and Things to See and Do in The 2 Best of Auckland’s Wild Coast Beaches. For other areas of New Zealand, click here.

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58 comments on “Historic & Scenic Karangahake Gorge – South of Auckland

Such a beautiful waterfall! I have seen so many photos of this one but have not been to the north island to explore yet! For sure saved this as I am forward planning trips to the north island 😛

Kim McGlinchey says:

Thanks, Lauren, it is a fantastic sight, and so close to the road you don’t have to go hiking for hours to get to it.

Annie H says:

I missed all of these, heading back to Aukland from the south, though to be fair, we spent as much of the last couple of days as we could at the Miranda centre and had to hurry back to the airport. Well, maybe one day . . . .

Such a shame too, Annie, as you were only about 40 minutes away from the Gorge. Definitely a stop for next time.

Alma says:

Such a scenic area and I would love to explore. Definitely adding this to my bucket list.

It is, Alma, and only an hour and a half from Auckland city centre. I hope you get to visit one day soon.

I really can’t wait to finally get New Zealand on our travel planning board! There are so many great outdoor spots to see. We originally thought we would visit by cruise ship. But now want to do a long road trip. We will certainly spend some time exploring these great sights around Auckland.

Definitely do the road trip, Linda. There is so much to see off the beaten track, and you will have a ball exploring nature.

Amy says:

Very interesting! What was the tunnel built for?

Thanks, Amy. The tunnel was built so trains, not slow horses, took the gold out of the area.

This looks like an amazing place! New Zealand is near the top of my travel Bucket List. Can’t wait to get there!

I hope you get there, Nancy, and enjoy exploring both islands.

Angela says:

My friends live in Auckland but have never taken me here so next time I sm out there I am going to ask to be taken for a Sunday drive to grab one of those delicious ice-creams and explore the other areas you have mentioned.

Enjoy both the walks and the ice cream, Angela. You could also check out the Coromandel Peninsula with great walks and Hot Water Beach for a long weekend.

Teja says:

I loved New Zealand both times I was there. Both times I left wishing I could spend more time exploring.

Thanks, Teja. I’m sure everyone leaves their destination with places they should’ve seen.

Orange choco chip ice cream sounds delicious. I would love to try the flavor.

Nothing comes close for me. I can taste it now.

Sharyn says:

Definitely visiting the ice cream shop when next in NZ. Should provide loads of energy to explore the beautiful gorges.

It’s a must-do stop if you love ice-cream, Sharyn.

Brittany says:

This seems like such a fun (and gorgeous!) drive. Owharoa Falls is stunning! I would love to see that in-person, but your photo is gorgeous! I love that you includes places to eat along the way too. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks, Brittany. Hopefully, one day you’ll get to visit it.

You had me at nature. I’d love to visit the gorge, and the falls – and have some of that yummy ice-cream!

I hope you do get to visit one day. There’s more to see in the area as well, like Cathedral Cove and Hot Water Beach, that you would love.

myfabfiftieslife says:

Your photos, as always, are so lovely. I enjoyed this. Not sure when we will be back in Auckland but I certainly hope to someday and will keep this post available.

Thanks, Laureen. There’s always something to go back and see and there’s more in the area that I missed.

Dotti says:

I’ve spent so much time in NZ but have yet to make it to Auckland. I’ve heard great things about Owharoa Falls!

I hope you do get to visit one day, Dotti.

muylindatravels says:

I’d love to visit Karangahake Gorge! I’ll keep it in mind for the next time I’m in Auckland. Thanks for the inspiration!

You’re welcome. I hope you get to see it.

Wendy says:

South of Auckland looks like such a fun area. You gotta love an itinerary that starts with ice cream. I’ve never heard of orange chocolate chip ice cream, but would definitely try it.

It is delicious, Wendy, but I am biased.

Shannon says:

Great info! I had no idea there was so much natural beauty near the city.

Thanks, Shannon. There is actually so much more even closer to the city in the Waitakeres if you like bush walking.

Rhonda Albom says:

I love the Karangahake Gorge area. It’s a great stop when driving from Auckland to Tauranga. Ngatea and Miramar (for the bird sanctuary) also have some great things to see.

I wish I had more time in the area to explore, Rhonda. Something for next time.

The waterfall and gorge looks fab and the perfect thing to do on a sunday afternoon!

Thanks, it’s just the thing.

Josy A says:

Oooh niiice! Karangahake Gorge is simply gorgeous, but this whole area south of Auckland looks fabulous…I would love to explore more around here (we had far too little time last time we were in Auckland.)

It’s a great place to get out in nature and history, Josy.

Kathryn says:

Sounds like a great weekend afternoon to me! Haven’t made it to New Zealand yet but this is great inspiration!

I hope you get there someday, Kathryn. There are so many places like this in New Zealand.

Annie H says:

More reminders of our honeymoon – nearly 20 years ago. Thank you.

You’re welcome, Annie.

Adele says:

What a beautiful place and such stunning images!

Thanks, Adele. A small slice of paradise in New Zealand.

Marina says:

How I miss New Zealand! I didn’t enjoyed Paeroa nor Pukeno so much (although found a very cute cafe in Paeroa!) but really really loved Owharoa Falls & Karangahake Gorges! Great article and great weekend getaway idea, thank you for sharing!

Thanks, Marina. I’m glad you enjoyed your time at the Gorge. It is a beautiful part of the country.

Karen says:

I have been to New Zealand three times, but never explored the areas in this article. We are planning to go again this winter and some of these places look great to visit. Thanks for the tips.

You’re welcome, Karen. I hope you enjoy your visit and feel free to check out my other blogs on the North Island of New Zealand.

A road trip south of Auckland sure does look like it has a lot to offer for outdoors adventures. And great tasty stops in cute small towns. The Owharoa Falls would definitely be on our plans.

It is a great day out, Linda. Owharoa Falls are so easy to get to and hopefully you’ll get there one day.

Such a beautiful part of Australia… love exploring the outdoors…thanks for the inspiration

It’s actually in New Zealand, Jennifer. Hopefully one day you’ll be able to visit.

What a unique find! The tunnel looks kind of spooky, but the waterfalls look worth it! This would make an excellent day trip from Auckland!

Thanks, Kendra it is a great day out from Auckland.

Jess says:

These photos are unreal! I love all of the adventure there is in NZ and really excited to visit some day 🙂

Thanks, Jess. I hope you are able to visit and see all of the hidden gems that New Zealand has to offer.

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