One of my all time favourite places to go in the summertime. Located just outside of Warkworth, The Cement Works is an old quarry that is now filled with fresh water and serves as a brilliant swimming spot. Relatively unknown by outsiders, The Cement Works is usually filled with locals. I only know about it because my dad used to be from up north, so has ‘inside knowledge’. The water is insanely deep so is a little scary but really fun to find trees to jump out of, as you know you’ll never hit the bottom. The fact that its fresh water is also a huge bonus — it doesn’t matter if you accidentally swallow it because it won’t burn your throat on its way down! It also means if you stop there for a swim after a day at Goat Island or a nearby beach, you leave feeling fresh and clean rather than salty and sticky. Take a picnic and a chilly-bin filled with cold beverages(trust me this place is magic when cold beer is involved), pile your friends into your car and head up north for a lovely day in the sun! Tip: With the new motorway bypassing Orewa, it may cost a tariff but is totally worth it — now it only takes 45 minutes to get to The Cement Works!
Jayde T.
Classificação do local: 4 Auckland, New Zealand
The Old Cement Works is one of my favourite places in Warkworth. As the name suggests, it was an operational cement and lime works until 1928. Today it’s a historcial site; all that’s left is a creepy, yet somehow beautiful pile of chimney ruins. They make a lovely photo, but I wouldn’t get too close, they really are ruins. Some even say it’s haunted by workers from the past(only the nice ones of course). Once you’ve taken your snaps the flooded quarry makes a perfect swimming hole. Part of the Mahurangi river, the water is deep and fresh. No sand and no salt! It does get deep very quickly though, so watch the little uns’. It’s very peaceful along the river with some beautiful old willow trees to picnic under. Pack a blanket, your ham and egg sammies and it’s a lovely place to spend the afternoon.
