Wainuiomata harbours remnants from a bygone era that are hidden away in the bush and known by few.
Wainuiomata has a history of forestry, farming, and water management. Testament to its rich history are numerous relics from the past. Some are out in the open and even signposted while others are accessible on guided tours only. However, there remain numerous hidden sites and artefacts that only a few know about. Many were once out in the open, but were abandoned and eventually concealed by dense forest over time. The whereabouts of these hidden sites and relics, lie in the memory of some who grew up in Wainuiomata during the mid to late twentieth century.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of hidden artefacts that still exist today. The list is sorted in alphabetical order.
Colemans Tunnel
Constructed during the 1880s, this underground shaft and tunnel in Wainuiomata was abandoned in 1899 and remains hidden from public view beneath the forest canopy. The location is known by few people and there is no actual track or path to the site.
Concrete Hut
This aged concrete hut stands beside a track that previously ran above Reservoir Road. It was constructed sometime between 1901 and 1926. The old water race runs beneath the building and it once housed a water meter. The site is now hidden in dense bush and its exact location is known by a few.
Kittyhawk Plane Wreckage
In WWII, a kittyhawk aircraft was heading in a northerly direction from Baring Head when it seemingly encountered a downward gust of wind. The plane failed to make it over a ridge behind Skerretts Creek and the pilot was killed. The wreckage was left on the hill, but over the decades, parts were removed. However, some of the heavier parts are still there.
Skerretts Creek Water Catchment
Skerretts Creek water catchment houses many hidden or semi-hidden artefacts. If you follow the creek upstream from the top of Sunny Grove, keep your eyes open. There are old pipe lines and broken pipes in the creek and along the banks. Other artifacts include concrete water tanks, weirs, and water intakes.
Mount Crowther Track Water Tanks
Two water tanks lie partially hidden in the bush on the Mount Crowther Track near the top of Sunny Grove. It is not exactly clear where the water came from to fill the tanks and to where it went. The water could have come from the Skerretts Creek Water Catchment area.
The Black House
The Black House was a hunters hut that predates housing in eastern Homedale. It could have also housed a caretaker or ranger for the Skerretts Creek water catchment area for a time and might also have been a trampers hut after that. The catchment was fenced off from the public during the mid 1950s and 60s when it was operation, but the hut remained till the mid 1970s, until it suffered fire damage. Over the years, the site where the hut stood was subsequently forgotten about and the bush reclaimed the site. However, remnants of the hut and some contents still remain.
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