Log Fest

Sorry, this event’s been and gone

When:

Sat 9 Oct ’10, 10:00am–4:00pm

Where: Victoria Battery, State Highway 2, Waikino, Waihi Show map

Restrictions: All Ages

Ticket Information:

Admission: Free

Websites:

Favourites:

DOCTauranga

This promises to be a special day for anyone visiting the Karangahake Gorge, as the Victoria Battery gold mining site is transformed into Log Fest. Log Fest is a family day out featuring demonstrations and activities which celebrate the timber heritage of New Zealand. It is 100 years since the Kauri Timber Company’s first shipment of kauri logs from Waikino to Auckland.

Entry to the event is free, and extra parking will be available at the Waikino Station, SH2, Karangahake Gorge.

A special train service is running from Waihi on the day. For train times and bookings go to www.waihirail.co.nz.

Games and activities run throughout the day, but the following set times apply:

10.00am – opening of Log Fest
11.00am – unveiling of new tracks and displays
11.15am – guided walk led by Ranger Warren Geraghty
12.00pm – presentation on bush tramways by DOC expert Paul Mahoney
2.00pm – presentation on gold mining by DOC expert Paul Mahoney
3.00pm – guided walk led by Ranger Warren Geraghty
4.00pm – close

“In 1910 people were cutting down the giant kauri and sending them by tram to Auckland for timber”, says Community Relations Ranger Pete Huggins. “In 2010 the forest is protected, and people are enjoying the old tramlines as walking tracks. The logging history of the Coromandel, Karangahake and Kaimai areas is important, and Log Fest is about bringing a few of the amazing stories to life for the current generation, for us all to understand and to learn from.”

Pete says: “We’d like to invite people from nearby towns and cities to come and explore this exciting piece of historic conservation land. DOC is working with local groups to put on a really special day. We have an historic bush camp where kids of all ages can try using traditional saws, cooking on an open fire, and trying woodturning. There will also be train and horse rides, both of which hark back to the grand old days of rail and horsepower. We also have some excellent talks and guided walks for those who want a bit more detail, and to discover the mining history and relics. It will make a great day out for the last weekend of the school holidays”.