Ten trampers beat the blanket grab for an early start for Te Aroha at 7.30am from The Bracken. We located the Old Te Aroha Rd (Gordons Rd) and drove a few kms to Wairongamai Loop Rd, on the left. From the car park we walked a few metres up a ramp to locate the  track signs and followed the Piako Tramway Track, crossing a few side creeks, to the base of Butlers Incline. A steep ascent of 200m up the  incline following the rail track and carefully negotiating the railway  sleepers. At the top of the incline there was a construction for cable  winding apparatus. After a rest we continued along the track passing old mining machinery and eventually reached the base of the Queen Mary Incline. Several of the walkers were not inclined to negotiate another  steep ascent so the decision was made to back track to the New Era Branch Track. This was a very steep descent down the wooded hillside to a larger stream, which we crossed. A few metres further on we had to cross another fast flowing stream  and up a steep bank where we stopped for lunch. We made rapid progress along the Lower level Track and returned to the car park early in the afternoon. The walking times on the signage appeared to be very generous and on  reflection we should have continued up the second incline and returned  back along the High Level Track. This could be done on a return trip to this old gold mining area. We returned to Te Aroha and enjoyed a soak in the Hot Thermal Pools.