Strange stone formations, black coal, cold water and dangerous gas all contribute to the long and sometimes dark history of what is now a lovely picnic area. Take care in this limestone country- the 7.5 hectare scenic reserve features spectacular limestone formations with sink holes and caves. The walking track is 1km (20 minutes return).
Lake Waro (sometimes also called Lake Hikurangi) was formed after limestone, and then a seam of coal underneath, were mined for a time in the 19th and 20th Century. Several families worked the coal mine and a horse drawn tramline moved the coal out. When operations wound up, the two rivers that kept flooding the pit were allowed to form the lake, and since 1999 a community group has been restoring the lake edge areas, planting thousands of trees.
DOC has designated the area an Historic Reserve, thanks to the mining history, and the awful social history of one family losing three of four sons in the mine on one day in 1933. The whole story is here.
This is GEOTRIP because there is a lot to learn here about limestone, and about mining. Leftovers from the limestone quarry and other nearby ones are piled on the sides of the track. All the limestone in the Whangarei area was formed by the same geological process, involving water eroding the stone, which started life as underwater shell banks, leaving formations. Interpretation panels are placed along the walkway.
It is possible to swim in the lake, but again, be careful, there are underwater plants and it is not the safest swimming, over 20 drownings have occurred here. Council keeps an eye on the water cleanliness over summer and allows limited freedom camping.
Image Credit: Rocks at Waro near Hikurangi, Vaile, Hubert 1910 -1919 Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland City Libraries
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