About us

Where nature, history, energy, conservation and community comes together for an outstanding and educational experience. The historic Hydro Walkway is a 1 hour and 50 minute circuit that passes through the mature beech/podocarp forest of Kahurangi National Park; alongside a historic gold miner's water race; across aqueducts that were a masterpiece of engineering of their time; through areas of regenerating forest and pakihi; to the fully restored and operational Pupu Hydro Society's powerhouse. 

Jim's Track (50 minutes) is a moderately graded granite/dolomite track through native forest. You may see or smell orchids on the verges. There are views down the valley of Campbell Creek and Waikoropupū River.

The walkway passes through silver pine, mountain cedar, mountain toatoa and areas of young beech and rimu. The whole area is rich in fern life. Blechnum fraseri resembles a miniature tree fern; Dawsonia superba is the tallest moss in the world. During spring and summer, flowering clemantis, rata and varieties of orchid may be seen. Areas of regenerating forest are characterized by smaller trees - kanuka, kamaki and manuka are typical of pakihi plants which colonize and survive in poor soil. 

The intake weir at Campbell Creek (a beautiful place to stop for a picnic) and the water-race were originally constructed by Takaka Sluicing Company during 1901-02 to carry water from Campbell Creek down the valley to sluice gold from river gravels. Twenty-four men working shifts completed construction of the 3.7 km water-race within 8 months at a cost of £3558. Picks, shovels and wheelbarrows were used to construct a bench into the hill. Rocks were blasted, stumps jacked out and aqueducts made out of timber overhanging steep cliffs to carry the water on gradual incline to a head pond and control gates. Waikoropupū Valley was one of the richest gold claims in Golden Bay. 

The Water-race track (30 minutes ) is flat and level, which follows the 1.7 km historic gold mining water-race that is used by the power station to run water to the head pond. There are views looking down the penstock to the power house and Waikoropupū River Valley. The penstock is a 450mm pipe that drops water 107 meters, (354 ft.) down to the powerhouse creating 10.5 bar (152lbs/sq.in) of water pressure to turn the turbine. 

The Zig Zag Track (30 minutes) back to powerhouse and carpark through Dept. of Conservation controlled land is relatively steep so care is needed. 

The Pupu Hydro Powerhouse is a 1 minute walk from the car-park entrance. There is a viewing room where information about the Pupu Hydro Society scheme can be found.

The first electricity supplied to Golden Bay homes was generated by Golden Bay Electric Power Board from this power scheme in 1929. It is now fully restored and continues to generate electricity for the community.