The Waikino district lies at the base of the ecologically sensitive Coromandel Peninsula with its subtropical rainforests, steep ravines and fast moving rivers and streams.

Waitekauri is no longer there today, because the town was demolished at the end of that era's gold rush, consequently the village reverted to farmland.

[5] When gold became uneconomic to mine after World War II, Waikino residents lost their economic base and the town reverted into a sleepy little village predominantly inhabited by retirees from the old era.

The counterculture had arrived in town and set about transforming Waikino into a bustling centre for hippies and crafts people to gravitate towards.

These counterculture people purchased many of the old houses in the village which had been neglected over time, even converting some of them into small craft workshops and outlets from where they sold their wares.

Quickly, flourishing cottage industry crafts and health food outlets grew around Waikino, servicing the local village and Coromandel.

Hundreds of tourists, drawn by the quirky hippies atmosphere, stopped at Waikino's main highway shops every week to try homemade foods at the tea rooms, and to purchase locally made Arts and crafts.

January 1977 saw the community supporting the Waikino music festival of rock, blues and culture, held on Bicknels farm up the Waitawheta Valley.

This festival event was run by the Nambassa group who were originally based in the Waikino village, prior to their move to Waihi.

Proceeds from this event purchased a winter's supply of fuel for the aged residents of the village and towards the construction of a new post office after the 1981 flood.

A huge torrent of water washed much of the Waikino business district and many homes them downstream through the Karangahake Gorge.

Numerous organised tours and walks around the old mining facilities and old rail tunnels, and around beautiful native bush which surround waterfalls and scenic valleys, are available.