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Location & access
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route. Check the official route directions before travel.
Official location informationLocation source
DOC track reference point, not a verified trailhead, entrance or the whole route.
Reference point: -40.76604, 172.62727. WGS84 coordinates retained at the official service's returned precision; decimal resolution is not survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
DOC Maps walking and tramping reference point (WGS84), exact official-page GUID / Department of Conservation. Checked 2026-10-12.
Key facts
- Distance
- Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time
- 3 hr loop
- Track grade
- Easy
- Location
- Aorere Goldfields Conservation Area
- Dog access
- No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Checked against official sources on 8 October 2026. Rules and conditions are set by Department of Conservation — confirm with them before you go.
Route overview
Aorere Goldfields Track is a 3-hour loop, which gives you access to explore some of the more accessible gold-mining remnants.
This DOC directory entry covers Aorere Goldfields Track in Tasman, within Aorere Goldfields Conservation Area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.
Distance, time and grade
- Distance: Not confirmed on the checked DOC page; see individual route sections
- Walking time: 3 hr loop
- DOC grade: Easy
Access and alerts
Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.
Dog access
No dogs. Other pets on conservation land rules.
Description
From the Aorere Goldfields car park a 4WD track passes an old ground-sluicing claim worked in the 1880s. This track is only suitable for 4WD vehicles. This 4WD track continues onto the large open area partly covered by pakihi vegetation which is Druggan's Flat.
From here the track climbs steadily, passing a side track that leads to the untouched bush of Stanton's Creek. It then follows part of the original benched miners' track. At the first junction, continue straight ahead. On the right you pass the end of a water race and a tunnel before the short side track to Stafford's Cave.
Stafford's Cave and Ballroom Cave (accessed by short side tracks a little further on) can both be explored if you are equipped with appropriate clothing, a torch and some care.
Early miners recorded their names on some of the formations within these caves; take care not to disturb these. Ballroom Cave is reputed to have been used by miners as a venue for dances.
From here it is another 20-30 minutes to the dam. On a fine day your effort is rewarded on this section of the track with excellent views of the Wakamarama and Burnett ranges, Ruataniwha Inlet and north to Farewell Spit. Immediately prior to the dam is the dam outlet, a tunnel cut through the rock, terminating in an iron control gate. Do not enter this tunnel.
Once at the reservoir, a good place to have a break or lunch is on the left as you follow the track around the water's edge, past the race intake control on top of Druggan's Dam. From the dam the track climbs around the side of the reservoir.
A further 20 minutes takes you to a junction in the track. After a few minutes' walk the track joins a 4WD (or mountain bike) track. Turn right and follow it downhill back to the car park.
Alternatively, from the track junction you may take the short track, which links back to the first junction, and so retrace the first part of the track back to the car park.
Mountain biking
This area is great for mountain biking. From the carpark, the 4WD road to Appos Flat makes an excellent ride. The round trip back to the carpark takes 3-4 hours. Good fitness and moderate technical skill are required. Please follow the mountain bikers' code at all times.
This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.
Getting there
From Collingwood follow the Aorere Valley inland. After 7 kilometres, turn off the main road at Rockville where Aorere Goldfields and Devil's Boots are signposted. Follow the road and rough farm track past Devil's Boots for another 2 kilometres until you reach the Aorere Goldfields car park.
Know before you go
Boots and a degree of fitness are recommended. As there is little shade along the track, sun protection is also required.
History and culture
The Aorere Goldfields Track gives you access to explore some of the more accessible gold-mining remnants, including the Slate River Sluicing Company Dam ('Druggans Dam') and the Aorere Caves.
Sources and reuse
Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.
The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.
