Last Updated on: 21 July 2023

Gem of the Boom in Broken Hills was the site of an old mining settlement, and relics of the past can still be seen.

You can see what appears to be a jail cut into solid rock. It is an easy 400m loop walk that will take you 20 mins return. Take a touch and look for the long legged weta, they are amazing in here. There are two bridged crossings over a small creek.

Quick Facts about this walk

  • Location: Broken Hills, North Island NZ
  • Distance: 1.30 kms
  • Time needed: 1 Hour
  • Difficulty: Very Easy
  • Wheelchair Access: No
  • Route: Double back
  • Elevation: 40m
  • Wet Feet: No
  • Toilets: Yes
  • Dogs: No
  • Mobile Coverage: No
  • Last Updated: November, 2019

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Summary points about this walk

Walk Highlights

Unknown

Track Quality

The tracks are well looked after. There are more then enough tracks to keep you busy for two days.

Hazards

Unknown

Transport

No

Water

Water taps are in the DOC camp ground. You are advised to boil the water first.

Driving Instructions

6 km South out of Thames at Kopu on your left is the turn off onto the Kopu Hikuai Rd. This road will run you out to Tairua and then onto Whitianga.

Shops & Restaurants Nearby

30 km into Thames

Area & Trail History

Broken Hills was a gold-mining area dating back to the early 1900. The township of shops, community hall and post office was built on the banks of the Tairua River to supply the town with valuable water for mining and processing gold. But the town only lasted a couple of years when the gold run out and the town died. The area was also heavily logged of the valuable Kauri trees. There is no shortage of activities from tramping, swimming, canoeing, Trout fishing, bird watching, or chill out with a quite weekend picnic or camp up for a few days. The Gem of the Boom Creek is the old gold mining settlement. You can see what is left of the old mines, water race and stamper batteries.

Map Location

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Points of interest along the walk​

The track into the gem of the boom creek
Broken Hills, Gem of the Boom Creek Walk
Broken Hills, Gem of the Boom Creek Walk

Point 1: Turn Off To Gem Of The Boom Creek

6.5Km down the Puketui Valley Road you need to stop at the bridge. To your left is the start of the Golden Hills and broken Hills Battery walks. If you have some time up your sleeve head off to the Broken Hills Battery walk then continue on to the Gem of the Boom creek walk.

Broken Hills, Gem of the Boom Creek Walk
This was the jail
Broken Hills, Gem of the Boom Creek Walk

Point 2: Gem Of The Boom Creek

You start off walking along a very flat and straight track, then you drop down to what is left of the Broken Hills Battery. Then it is a short walk to the Gem of the Boom creek which is in a cold wet valley. You can walk in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction, it is your choice. We then walked out on to the Puketui Valley Road and walked back to the car in the SUN. Make sure you walk into the jail cell that is cut out into the rock, you will need a torch and a hat to keep the creepy big things with long legs off your head.




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