Piako County Tramway, Waiorongomai

The amazing Piako County Council tramway has been given a generous make-over. The 5 Km tramway was built in 1883 to a gauge of 2 ft 9 ins. The route included 3 inclines, 3 bridges and 2 tunnels. It took ore to batteries at the carpark, where a new crushing plant was built in 1920 but only lasted until 1927 when the tramway also shut. Other efforts to mine the ore occurred from the late 1930s to 1946 when all mining ceased. The tramway was horse-worked for most of its life but did use the first loco built br A & G Price of Thames. It wasn't successful though and was soon sold. The restoration began in 1994, thanks to the volunteers and staff at the Department of Conservation..

Firth & Clark Battery, 1884

Fern Spur Incline

Butler's Incline

The Tramway loco

The Firth & Clark battery and crusher

The Firth & Clark battery was brought here from Thames in 1882. It had 40 stamps and 12 burdans and worked until 1912 when it burned down. A replacement was built but was mainly used for roadstone. Concrete bins for the crushed stone are now all that remains along with a few foundations. The town of Waiorongomai has disappeared except for one lone chimney stack.

Piako County Tramway map	Waiorongomai village	Battery foundations	Battery foundations
Battery foundations	Stone crusher bins	Stone crusher bins	Stone crusher bins
Stone crusher bins	Stone crusher bins	Crusher loading tramway	Crusher loading tramway
Battery loading tramway	Battery loading tramway

Low Level Drive

The 'Te Aroha Gold Mines Ltd' started the Low Level Drive in 1896. It was planned as a 4Km tunnel to get at the deep ore but it was abandoned in c1899 after only going 0.5Km.

Tramway to Low-level Drive	Tramway to Low-level Drive	Low-level Drive
Low-level Drive	Low-level Drive	Low-level Drive

Fern Spur Incline

The 'Te Aroha Gold Mines Ltd' started the Low Level Drive in 1896. It was planned as a 4Km tunnel to get at the deep ore but it was abandoned in c1899 after only going 0.5Km.

Fern Spur Incline foot

Fern Spur Incline top

Fern Spur Incline brake gear

Fern Spur Incline brake gear

Along the tramway to Butler's Incline

Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway
Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway
Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	An 'Ibbotson' rail joint	Piako County Tramway
Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway
Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway
Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway
Piako County Tramway

The Collapsed Tunnel

This tunnel was built to avoid the need for a sharp bend but was plagued by landslips at each end and ended up being abandoned.

The collapsed tunnel portal

Inside the tunnel

Inside the tunnel

Inside the tunnel

The Aerial Ropeway Loading Point

The aerial ropeway was built in 1908 to take 'Silver King' mine ore from the siding here to Bendigo Battery. There was a wooden trestle for the siding and storage bine alongside it but these have disintegrated over the years leaving the rails suspended. The ore was low quality as usual and the battery closed in 1922

The aerial ropeway return wheel	The aerial ropeway return wheel	The 'hanging' track
The 'hanging' track	The 'hanging' track	The siding to the loading bins

The Foot of Butler's Incline

The points at the foot of the incline, a burdan and a few levels along the route.

Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	The abandoned burdan	Levels near Butler's Incline
Levels near Butler's Incline	Levels near Butler's Incline	Levels near Butler's Incline	Levels near Butler's Incline
Levels near Butler's Incline	Levels near Butler's Incline

Butler's Incline

The steepest incline on the tramway at 1 in 4 (25%). It was 400m long and self-acting using a 2.5 ton steel rope. The brake drum was badly located making the brakesman's job very difficult so it was modified to help. Climbing the incline is the same as climbing 845 steps and I can definitely say that it's very hard work.

Butler's Incline	Butler's Incline	Butler's Incline	Butler's Incline
Butler's Incline	Butler's Incline	Butler's Incline	Butler's Incline
Butler's Incline	Butler's Incline	Butler's Incline top	Butler's Incline top
Butler's Incline top	Butler's Incline top

Along the tramway to May Queen Incline

Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway
Preserved machinery	Preserved machinery	Preserved machinery	Preserved machinery
Piako County Tramway	Piako County Tramway

May Queen Incline

Not as steep as Butler's but much more scrambling involved to bypass collapsed and overgrown sections.

May Queen Incline	May Queen Incline	May Queen Incline	May Queen Incline
May Queen Incline	May Queen Incline	Levels near May Queen Incline	Levels near May Queen Incline
Levels near May Queen Incline	Levels near May Queen Incline	Levels near May Queen Incline

To the End of the Line

Above the May Queen Incline the line is less obvious, the bridge has been replaced with a swing bridge that leads directly into the tunnel. After that there seems to be little left of the line .

Top tunnel bridge portal	Top tunnel bridge portal	Top tunnel exit portal
Top tunnel exit portal	Inside the tunnel	Inside the tunnel
Level on the top section	Level on the top section	The end of the line

Thames

Welcome to Thames

The welcome display as you enter the town.

Welcome notice, Thames

Gold ore stamper, Thames

Gold ore wagon, Thames

Bella Street Pump House and its mines, Thames Town Centre

The 'Queen of the May' mine, one of three shafts in the Karaka Valley, was in operation until 1914. The pumps behind the pump house are over the 'Queen of Beauty' or 'Thames Hauraki' mine, 1000 ft deep and working until 1914. The shallow 'Piako' shaft is adjacent.
The 'Bright Smile' mine across the road from the pump house worked from 1871 to 1886, though the shaft collapsed in 1879. The site is now a lovely community garden.

Bella Street pump house, Thames	Bella Street pump house, Thames	Kelly & Lewis compressor, Bella Street
'Queen of Beauty' pumps, Thames	Level opposite pump house, Thames	Bright Smile Mine, Thames

Consols Shaft, Hape Valley

This is the site of the Consols Shaft. There is an old magazine further up the valley but also a very bad-temperd dog on a long chain.... I didn't argue with it.

Consols Shaft notice, Thames

The site of Consols Shaft, Thames

Karaka Stream mines

The Karaka Stream (access from Karaka Road) is dotted with small mines, ending at the 'Pride of Parnell' mine towards the top of the valley.

Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames
Karaka Stream, beast of the mines	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames
Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream tramway bridge	Karaka Stream tramway bridge
Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames
Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream mines, Thames
Karaka Stream mines, Thames	Karaka Stream flooded shaft	Karaka Stream flooded shaft	Karaka Stream flood gully

Moanataiari Creek Mines and Tunnel

The 2000m long Moanataiari tunnel was began as a mine but became the main route from several smaller mines to the crushing batteries in Thames.
The track to the mines starts from the end of Moanataiari Creek Road.

Moanataiari Creek goldmines	Moanataiari Creek goldmines	Moanataiari Creek goldmines	Hunts Claim, Shotover, Moanataiari
Moanataiari tunnel, Thames	Moanataiari tunnel, Thames	Moanataiari tunnel, Thames	Moanataiari tunnel, Thames
Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames
Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames
Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames
Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames	Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames
Moanataiari Creek mines, Thames

Saxon Mine, Thames Town Centre

Originally known as the 'Crown Princess' mine when it opened in 1871 and connected to the 'Queen of Beauty' mine at Bella Street in 1911, mining stopped in 1914. The shaft became a pumping shaft in 1918

Saxon Mine, Thames Town Centre

Saxon Mine c1900, Thames

Saxon Mine c1900, Thames

Connections to the Saxon Mine

Shotover Valley

The Kuranui Battery stood at the entrance to the Shotover Valley at the North end of Thames on the Tararu Road. It originally had 6 steam-powered stamps, increased to 20 later. The Shotover Mine was the first gold discovered in Thames, opened in 1867, producing gold worth $70 million at 2000 prices.

Shotover Valley, Thames	Shotover Valley, Thames	Shotover Valley, Thames	Wagon or bucket, Shotover Valley
Shotover Valley, Thames	Shotover Valley, Thames	Shotover Valley, Thames	Shotover Valley, Thames
Shotover Valley, Thames	Animal bones, Shotover Valley

Una Hill

The track up Una Hill is an easy walk from the dead end of Hill Street. There are a number of small levels heading into the hill.

Una Hill mines, Thames	Una Hill mines, Thames	Una Hill mines, Thames	Una Hill mines, Thames
Una Hill mines, Thames	Una Hill mines, Thames	Una Hill mines, Thames	Una Hill mines, Thames
Una Hill mines, Thames	Una Hill mines, Thames	Una Hill mines, Thames

The Foundries of Charles Judd and A&G Price

Charles Judd Ltd were established in 1869 as manufacturers of Gold-mining and sawmilling equipment.
Alfred and George Price, from Stroud, Gloucestershire, set up their engineering company in 1868, moving to Thames in 1871. They made all manner of machinery for gold mines and particularly railway locomotives which, of course, are world famous in New Zealand. The company closed in 2017 but is being re-started in 2018.

Judds Foundry, Thames

A&G Price Foundry, Thames

A&G Price Foundry, Thames

Shortlands Station

Shortlands Station opened in 1898 witht the branch from Te Aroha to Thames, which took 20 years to complete.

Shortlands Station, Thames

Shortlands Station, Thames

Shortlands Station, Thames

Golden Crown Mine, Thames

Golden Crown Mine, Thames

The Golden Crown Mine was open from 1868 to 1886, produced $7 million of gold and silver bullion. The original shaft was 400ft deep and led to the discovery of the Caledonia Mine. The Manukua Mine (1868 - 1893) over the road was a chance find by 'Manukua' Jones and produced $1.6 million of bullion. In 1980 determined efforts to continue goldmining in the Coromandel led to the formation of the Hauraki Prospectors Association who now operate and demonstrate the Golden Crown Mine at work.

Golden Crown Mine	Cage from 'Mary Queen' shaft	Golden Crown Mine	Pelton water turbine by A&G Price
Quartz crushing battery	Quartz crushing battery	Small level at Golden Crown Mine	Small level at Golden Crown Mine
42 stamp caledonia battery	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine
'Martha G M Co, Waikino'	Entrance to the level	'Charles Judd' crusher	Water channel
Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine
'Wild Missouri Battery', Tararu	'Despatch Foundry Greymouth'	'Despatch Foundry Greymouth'	'Despatch Foundry Greymouth'
Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine
Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine
Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine	Golden Crown Mine

The incline and tramway

The incline and tramway are found at the junction of Moanataiari Creek Road, to the North of the main entrance

Golden Crown Mine incline foot	Golden Crown Mine incline	Golden Crown Mine incline	Golden Crown Mine incline winch
Golden Crown Mine tramway	Golden Crown Mine tramway	Golden Crown Mine tramway	Golden Crown Mine tramway
Golden Crown Mine tramway level	Golden Crown Mine tramway level	Golden Crown Mine tramway level

Tararu Stream and Tinkers Gully

Tararu Stream and Tinkers Gully

Tinkers Gully and Tararu Stream run up from Tararu, a few miles North of Thames. A tramway followed the Tararu Stream past a few roadside mines and criss-crossing the stream. Tinkers Gully has a number of small mines as it rushes down to join the Tararu Stream.

Russells Battery, Tararu Stream	Russells Battery, Tararu Stream	Russells Battery, Tararu Stream	Russells Battery, Tararu Stream
Sylvia Mine, Tararu Stream		The site of Russells Battery	The site of Russells Battery
Roadside mine No 1	Roadside mine No 1	Roadside mine No 2	Roadside mine No 2
Tararu Stream tramway	Tararu Stream tramway	Tararu Stream tramway	Tararu Stream tramway
Tararu Stream tramway	Tararu Stream tramway	Tararu Stream iron pipe	Tinkers Gully mine No 1
Tinkers Gully mine No 2	Tinkers Gully mine No 3	Tinkers Gully mine No 3	Tinkers Gully mine No 3
Tinkers Gully mine No 4	Tinkers Gully mine No 4	Tinkers Gully mine No 5	Tinkers Gully mine No 5

Driving Creek Railway

Driving Creek Railway, Coromandel Town

Driving Creek Railway

Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway
Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway
Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway
Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway
Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway
Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway
Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway
Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Driving Creek Railway	Auckland tram No '56'

Whitianga and Hikuai

Whitianga and Hikuai

The 10-stamp battery at Whitianga Museum came from the Moewai Mine, Whitianga, and was built by Langlands & Co of Melbourne in 1908. The mine was not successful and closed in 1909.
An Aveling & Porter traction engine rusting away at a petrol station at Hikuai.

Stamper battery at Whitianga

Aveling & Porter traction engine at Hikuai

Aveling & Porter traction engine at Hikuai

Aveling & Porter traction engine at Hikuai

Acknowledgments, sources and further reading.

Thanks for photos, info and help to :- Auckland Museum; Te Papa Museum, Wellington; Dept of Conservaton (DoC); Goldfields Railway Inc.; Heritage New Zealand; Mindat.org; Ohinemuri.org.nz; Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum Society Inc.; Philip Hart, "The Piako County Tramway at Waiorongomai", (PDF 2016), ISSN 2463-6266)