German Gully / Goff's Track

  • 1 hr 15 min – 1 hr 30 min loop track
  • Easy/medium

A circuit through the Goldsborough gold diggings.

German Gully / Goff's Track: Key information
Walking time
1 hr 15 min – 1 hr 30 min
Type
Loop track
Loop track
Grade
Easy/medium
Bookings
No bookings — open access
No — open access
German Gully / Goff's Track: Find it
Starts
Goldsborough Camping Area, Stafford Loop Road, Awatea
()
Maps
NZTopo50-BU19

Goldsborough's population peaked at 6350 in 1867, and the town was the supply centre for the Waimea goldfields. Today, there are some dusty old roads, a large cemetery at nearby Stafford, and a few walking tracks. A small camping area occupies the town site on the banks of a creek, and a sign indicates the location of the Helvetia Hotel (1875) across the road. 

It is still possible to fossick in the creek with pick and shovel, pan, and riffle tray, and that seems to be what attracts the older couples in RVs to the campsite. 

From the campsite, a bridge leads across the creek and into forest. The German Gully Track passes a tunnel and old water race before climbing along an old cart track to the the low ridge. Scandinavian Road, a dusty legal road, follows the ridge. Turn right and follow this for about 15 minutes. 

Goff's Track is signposted on the right, entering back into the forest. This track drops beside a deep gully, the product of water sluicing, and over tailing stones onto the valley floor. A large new bridge crosses the creek to the high standard Goldsborough Track. Turn right along the Goldsborough Track to head back to the camping area.

Note that there are steep drops and hidden shafts in the Goff's Track area. Children should be supervised. 

 

Map
This track needs a photograph.
ID 8393

About this track

Added 7 February 2013 by matthewmatthew. 1 revision 8 February 2013 by matthewmatthew.
39 views in the past year (3 per month).