Martha Mine, Waihi
Martha Mine
A giant open-cut gold mine still in operation at the centre of Waihi, with a rim walk overlooking the pit and the landmark Cornish Pumphouse beside it.
The Martha Mine has been mined since 1878, and its open pit is about 250 metres deep. The Pit Rim Walk around the pit takes about an hour and offers views of the enormous pit and working machinery. In the town centre, the Cornish Pumphouse, a 19th-century pumping house, has been relocated intact and preserved. The Waihi Gold Discovery Centre offers interactive exhibits and paid mine tours. It is about 1.5 hours' drive from Whitianga and can be combined with Karangahake Gorge in a single day.
Opening hours
Trail open all day; exhibition hall approx. 09:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Karangahake Gorge
- Wentworth Falls
- Whangamatā
- Pinnacles Walk (Kauaeranga Valley)
- Tairua & Mount Paku
- Thames School of Mines
- Square Kauri
- Hot Water Beach