57 WAIKATO REGIONAL LANDSCAPE ASSESSMENT 3.5 Coromandel Range and Moehau Range (ONFL 5) The Moehau and Coromandel Ranges are predominantly formed from a series of massive extinct volcanic landforms. The ranges comprise the distinctive backbone to the Coromandel Peninsula - starting at the north end with Mount Moehau - a conspicuous peak that rises to a height of 892m and is part of a string of peaks all over 800m high in the Moehau Range. Further south the main Coromandel Range, predominantly volcanic in origin, has a series of very impressive peaks, pinnacles, and rocky outcrops which can be seen from all over the peninsula including Castle Rock and Table Mountain (visible as one crosses the Hauraki Plains). The skyline of the ranges is unique to the Coromandel and forms the backdrop for literally hundreds of views from roads and settlements within the Thames-Coromandel District and further afield including Auckland and north. Driving around the peninsula one is confronted with a new dramatic view of the ranges at every turn. The ranges have a steep deeply incised landform with gorges and V shaped valleys running through them. They have an almost complete cover of native forest, except for some large areas of pine plantations. The bush does vary in quality from very mature high quality forest to forest that has been regenerating for approximately 20 years. The forest cover gives the ranges a homogenous quality. The ranges have a wild and remote quality, and in places very high natural character. The Department of Conservation owns a number of blocks on the Coromandel Ranges stretching from Moehau to just north of Waihi. These blocks are referred to collectively as the Coromandel Forest Park and contain within their 72,000 hectares some of the most rugged terrain in the ranges and remote coastline. Among the features of the park are a number of quite difficult tramping tracks, and related huts, as well as many less arduous bush walks, and places to picnic and swim. Features of the park include not only its varied plant life and native birds, but also reminders of the early history under European settlement. There are wooden dams from the kauri logging days, pack horse tracks, tram routes, old gold mining roads and sites of logging camps. Photo 3.6 Castle Rock
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