From Blacks Point, you can follow Murray Creek Track, a loop in Victoria Forest Park, that takes about 5 hours and connects with several old mining sites. A shorter option is to start with the side of the loop that goes up very pretty Murrays Creek (also a cycle track) until you reach a swingbridge over the creek. You can get your industrial history kick by carrying on to the old mine at Cementown (you gotta love these mine names!) or go right along an old tramway to the Energetic Mine. Then, return the same way.
If you have more time, you can go further than the loop to the Waitahu River. There is an even more remote set of tracks and mines, which probably makes more sense if you are on a bike.
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