Puketui Walk

This flat walking track connects Puketui Valley Road at the north with Puketui Road to the south. Hint: After 200m, check out the site of the former Government Battery and the waterfall and swimming hole behind it - a great spot on a hot day! The track then continues alongside the Tairua River to connect with Puketui Road as well as multiple other loop walks along the way. Note: A stream crossing at the southern Puketui Road end is required if accessing from this point. Several walks can be started from here. These include: Water Race Tunnels Loop (2-3 hours) which includes many tunnels to explore along the way as well as the Collins Drive mine system and lookout over the Puketui Valley. Third Branch Loop , (45 mins) which is a gentle climb to the Collins Drive mine system. Main Range Track which climbs to Paton Stream Dam and Hihi Trig (8 hours return), or beyond to Kauaeranga Valley (8–10 hours one way).

Broken Hills campsite is a standard DOC campsite with 45 non-powered tent sites. Bookings are required . Camp rangers service the campsite during summer.

Broken Hills is 19km from Tairua and 27km from Whangamata. The two entrance roads (Puketui Valley Road and Puketui Road) do not connect. Walkers must wade across Third Branch Stream to enter the tracks from Puketui Road. Puketui Valley Road /Broken Hills Campsite entrance Turn off SH25 at Hikuai onto Morrison’s Road (50 m north of the Pauanui turn off) then onto Puketui Valley Road. It is 6km to the car park at the end of Puketui Valley Road. Note: Tairua River Bridge, one km short of the road end, has a 10-tonne weight limit. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there. Puketui Road entrance Alternative access is available off the Kopu-Hikuai Road (SH25a), 26km from Thames. Turn on to Puketui Road 400 m before the Tairua River and Fourth Branch Scenic Reserve. A 4km gravel road brings you to the Puketui Road car park at the southern end of Broken Hills. You will need to wade the stream to access the track system as there is no bridge across the water. Use this location in Google Maps to find your way there.

We encourage you to continue gaining the skills and knowledge required for a safe trip. The NZ Mountain Safety Council has lots of free resources and information you can use. These can be accessed via www.mountainsafety.org.nz . Level up in your outdoor knowledge with these interactive online learning tools: Trip Planning Tramping / field Skills Basic Navigation River Safety Additionally, check out the range of helpful videos available from the NZ Mountain Safety Council YouTube channel .

Dogs on a leash only.