Peach Tree Hot Springs

Go past kaitoke springs, turn right on tramway just before peachtree track, follow creek on right side upstream about 50 metres, stop at grassy clearing, there is hot water in creek bed, cross creek, go down stream to little side creak on right and follow a short distance to main spring and pool. Dug by early gum diggers, watch out for wasp nest above pool. Total walk in is about 1hr 15 min from hot springs carpark. It is well worth it. [Ian Bodmin, Katikati]

Starting from Whangaparapara Road, the journey to the top begins flat and easy - very friendly for push-chairs. The path follows an ancient shoreline traversing the Kaitoke wetlands andregenerating kānuka forest. Youmay hear the call of a fernbird orspotless crake. Orchids and sundews flower close to the track. Forty-five minutes later at the hot pools, dammed at a fork in Kaitoke Creek and surrounded by the delicate umbrella fern, the track changes. After a brief, steep climb and descent to join Tramline Track, with reminders of loggers toil and journeys of 80 years ago, Peach Tree Track soon appears on the left and the climb begins through regenerating forest. Thirty minutes from the summit, the track passes Mt Heale and the new 20-bed hut. Wake up to wide views from the northwest through to the south. [denis, nz]