When Europeans arrived, the Coromandel was rich in gold and kauri trees. At Broken Hills, to the west of Hikuai and accessed along the Puketui Valley Rd, this destructive activity left behind some great hiking tracks across very rugged terrain and various mining artifacts.
There are several walking options, but for a full experience, drive to the furthest car park down the road, past the campsite. Then head south along the Puketui River, following the signs for Collins Drive, a 500-metre old walk-through mining tunnel. Take short sidewalks to the waterfall at Government Battery and the Water Race Tunnels. The walk then climbs quite steeply to Collins Drive. You will need to bring a torch and mind your head! After Collins Drive, the track is a lot rougher, but there is a short deviation to a great viewpoint to the east, including the Pinnacles. Otherwise, keep going till you loop back to the river track. Allow 2 to 3 hours.
This track also connects to a day-long (tough) tramping track that leads to the Pinnacles track network and the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames.
