Smacked in the middle of the Coromandel Peninsula just east of Auckland is a lush valley consisting of many streams, bush-clad hills, rock outcroppings, pinnacles, gorges and bluffs - a testimony of the area's past volcanic activities.
Kauaerenga valley was once covered in Kauri forest but from 1870 to 1920, the Kauri was extensively felled for its prized log. As the commercialization of Kauri wood expanded, 40 dams were built in the vicinity and along the major streams to float the logs down to the city of Thames; the major port of the Coromandel Peninsula.
From there, these logs were then shipped to Auckland where the sawmills were located. In the 1920's, the Kauri bushmen also chiseled out rocks from the side of the mountain and used them to make leveled paths that helped to facilitate the moving of people and pack horses to and from the upper Kauaerenga valley.
The Kauaeranga River was once named Waiwhakauaeranga, which means "waters of the stacked-up jaw bones". Historians from the Ngati Maru Maori tribe claim the name originated from a famous battle - members of Ngati Maru stacked up the jaw bones of their defeated enemies in rows on the banks of the river.
This area also receives a lot of rain throughout the year; giving it its lush green foliage. However, during a heavy rainstorm in 2017, a flash flood carrying a lot of debris washed away one of the suspension bridge, caused landslides and even washed away a portion of the valley road. The valley was then closed for repairs for about ten months before it was re-opened again for visitors.
Since the Kauri was extensively logged in the past and most recently with the Kauri dieback virus, there is an urgent need to revive and to reforest in order to ensure the return of this native tree. Many steps are being taken to further protect those that remain from being infected.
Volcanoes create many different types of geological features. The volcanic plug is a very distinct and highly recognizable feature as it stands out against the landscape. This is the result of the magma within an active volcano hardening. Over time the outer layer weathers away, leaving behind the distinctively hardened magma plug. This is a classic volcanic plug found in Kauaeranga Valley of the Thames-Coromandel District, North Island, New Zealand. Locally known as Tauranikau, it is the dome of a rhyolitic lava plug that formed approximately 8 mya.
The Coromandel Pinnacles Walk which starts at the road end of Kauaerenga Valley Road can be taken several ways - one via Webb Creek Trail or via Billy Goat Trail. Most hikers opt to overnight at the hut, and make the final ascent to the top of the pinnacles rock for sunrise. On a clear day, one is afforded a 360 unobstructed view of the surrounding area.
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