Hauraki Rail Trail: Thames, Karangahake Gorge & Matamata Guide
Photo: “Kaiaua Hauraki Rail Trail and rainbow” by Saintchanel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Trail at a glance
- Type
- Great Ride
- Region
- Waikato
- Distance
- About 160 km
- Time
- 3–5 days
- Grade
- Grade 1–2 (easy)
- Bookings
- Not required
- Managed by
- Ngā Haerenga NZ Cycle Trail
Overview
The Hauraki Rail Trail follows old railway lines and the Shorebird Coast between the historic gold towns of Thames, Paeroa, Te Aroha, Waihī and Matamata, the home of Hobbiton. It's about 160 km long in five sections, and it's flat and easy, suitable for riders of all ages and abilities. It's also only about 90 minutes from Auckland Airport.
Ride the whole trail in 3–5 days, or pick any section as a day ride. Bike hire and shuttles are easy to arrange.
Highlights
- Karangahake Gorge gold-mining relics, Owharoa Falls and an 1,100 m railway tunnel
- Birdwatching on the Shorebird Coast and at the Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre
- Hot pools at Miranda and Te Aroha
- The Cheese Barn at Matatoki, and Paeroa's giant L&P bottle
- The vintage train between Waikino and Waihī
- Matamata and Hobbiton
Trail sections
| Section | Distance | Grade | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiaua → Thames ("The Journey of Te Aho") | 55 km | 1 | 5–6 hr |
| Thames → Paeroa | 34 km | 1 | 3–4 hr |
| Paeroa → Waihī (Karangahake Gorge) | 24 km | 1–2 | 3 hr |
| Paeroa → Te Aroha | 23 km | 1 | 2–3 hr |
| Te Aroha → Matamata | 37 km | 1 | 2–4 hr |
Paeroa → Waihī is the most popular section. It passes the Victoria Battery museum, the Windows Walk (on foot only) and the long tunnel (bring a torch), and stops at Waikino Station for a café and bike hire.
Day rides
| Ride | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Waikino → Karangahake Gorge (return) | 18 km | 3–4 hr |
| Thames → Matatoki (return) | 22 km | 2–3 hr |
| Waihī → Karangahake Gorge (return) | 34 km | 2–3 hr |
| Te Aroha → Matamata | 37 km | 2–3 hr |
| Thames → Pipiroa (return) | 44 km | 4 hr |
| Thames → Waihī | 58 km | 6–7 hr |
Current closures (2026)
NZTA scheduled daytime closures of SH2 through the Karangahake Gorge for rock scaling, most recently 12–16 October 2026. During these, the rail tunnel closes from 9am to 4pm on weekdays, and there's no trail access between Paeroa and Waihī. Check the trail website and Facebook page for the latest before you ride.
Dog rules by section
- Kaiaua → Thames: Dogs are allowed between Kopu and Thames only. Gun dogs are allowed during duck-hunting season.
- Thames → Paeroa and Paeroa → Te Aroha: No dogs, except within town areas.
- Paeroa → Waihī: Dogs on a lead from Waikino Station to the Karangahake Hall site, and within town areas.
- Te Aroha → Matamata: Dogs on a lead allowed.
- No horses anywhere.
Need to know
- Bike: Anything from children's bikes to tourers and mountain bikes. E-bikes are allowed.
- Take care on short road sections, at crossings and at cattle grids, where wheels can get stuck.
- Weather: Temperate year-round, but there's little shade in summer and wind direction makes a big difference.
- Mobile coverage: Generally good, but patchy in the gorge.
Getting there and where to stay
Thames and Paeroa make good bases, and Waihī is close to the beaches. InterCity serves all the trail towns. Book accommodation and shuttles ahead for December to March.
Check before you go
Closures, slips, snow and booking changes happen often. Ngā Haerenga NZ Cycle Trail posts current alerts and bookings for the Hauraki Rail Trail on its official page.
Current alerts and bookings