30 minute return | 1km | Waikato (Waitomo)
This is a great little track that gives you a glimpse of beautiful native bush, limestone cliffs and naturally carved caves and tunnels. It is easy to get to and whilst the walk itself is pretty short, there are plenty of views to enjoy and places to explore along the track so you can take as much or as little time as you like to complete it.
From the car park the track heads out over a bridge and out onto board walk through the bush. It is pretty flat and easy going, so enables you to take a good look around - ensuring that you look up as there are plenty of interesting rocky outcrops to see if you do.
After around 5 minutes you reach the first set of steps that take you up towards the viewing platform. You head out onto a boardwalk that gives you a great look down into the gorge which you skirt around. You then follow some more steps up and over the rocks.
I turned left and followed the path down towards the view of the tunnel from the outside. It gives you a good view of the river and a little glimpse at the tunnel entrance, but is certainly not the best view. Following the river along, the path then slowly winds back up through a series of little tunnels with windows allowing for views out into the bush.
The main event is the Natural Tunnel itself, with steps cut into the rock and allowing you to go right down into the cave to see the huge tunnel that has been carved through the rock. It is much more impressive in real life than I was able to capture on camera, so you'll just have to go and see for yourself!
I followed the loop back towards the car park, merging back with the track I came in on and exploring a few of the little tunnels along the way before enjoying views out along the river as I crossed the bridge for the final time. A nice little break from driving and something very different from the usual bushwalk.
Parking: There is a large car park straight off the main road at the start of the track with toilets and good signage for the tracks in the area.
Overnight Options: Not available on this track.
