Rockfall closes section of Karangahake track

Part of the popular Crown Tramway Track at Karangahake has been seriously damaged by rock fall, and the Department of Conservation has temporarily closed this track.

The popular Windows Walk and other attractions are still accessible to visitors. Access to the upper Crown Track, Underground Pumphouse and Dickey Flat is via the Windows Walk.

A short section of track surface and a safety barrier need repairing before the section can be reopened, and the bank needs to be stabilised. This is expected to take a few weeks to carry out.

Jeff Milham is the Visitor Assets Programme Manager for DOC in Tauranga and says the repair job is getting underway.

"The initial rock fall occurred between Christmas and New Year but there has since been further rock fall from the bank above the track.

"This is seemingly a natural event, we know these happen from time to time in the gorge. The affected area is in a precarious part of the gorge, where safety barriers are needed to minimise risk to walkers along a narrow section of track next to a steep drop-off," said Mr Milham.

DOC staff and contractors will be working to bring down any rock which is threatening to fall. They will then stabilise the bank above the affected area and the barrier and track will be repaired before the track can be opened.