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Waitakere Dam and Tramway Track

Partway through, the tunnel changes dramatically, being reinforced by a steel lining.

It's just a little lower than the top of my head, so I am oblige to crouch slightly, thus making a somewhat bigger target for dropping wetas - or weta droppings come to think of it. Can't see any in the picture, though.
(I recall once years ago exploring an old mine near Thames. When I turned to come back out, hundreds of long feelers were silhouetted against the light from the mine opening, all hanging down from the roof. Cave wetas.)

Out the other side.

and it's altogether more pleasant walking along here

though, sometimes, it's just like being back in the tunnel.

Good God. A railway station. This is not your regular tramping track, for sure. I am wondering what purpose it serves, unless it's to provide a picnic stop for its passengers, but a siding as well?? It's not as though the traffic's heavy.

It's time for a packs-off anyway.

I get out the thermos and Miranda unpacks the food. A hot cup of coffee and a (lukewarm) pie. Yessss!

Photo by Miranda Woodward

The view, come to think of it, is quite pleasant,

but it's not exactly what I expect in the middle of the Waitaks.

On a later visit we encounter the train, as we take another packs-off break in the shelter.

All the passengers sit facing sideways away from the cliff

We head off towards the Western Tunnelmouth. Along the way we have been encountering little pink triangles pinned to trees and a little further investigation reveals that each marks what looks like a poison station not far away.

This bridge is quite lovely.

Just a little further along is what looks like some B movie version of a South American prison.

In fact, the railway line travels right on through. The gate is locked because it's a long tunnel and not appropriate for pedestrians. Should you chance to find the gate open, BEWARE. It might be locked at ANY TIME!!!

We briefly investigate the next section of track, the West Tunnel Mouth Track, but it's considerably rougher and steeper and more slippery than what we have been walking through, and my legs are starting to remind me I'm out of condition since the dog died, so we head back.

(A later expedition, from the other side, reveals this particular few metres to be the only difficult spot on the track. The Anderson Track, beyond the West Tunnel Mouth Track is well-surfaced, but heads somewhat steeply downhill on a long series of steps towards the end.)