Part of the popular Crown Tramway Track at Karangahake is temporarily closed after being badly damaged by rockfall.

Department of Conservation has temporarily closed the section of track while the track surface and safety barrier are repaired.

Damage to the safety barrier caused by the rockfall.

The bank also needs to be stabilised and DOC reports this will take up to a few weeks to undertake.

DOC Visitor Assets Programme Manager in Tauranga Jeff Milham says the repair job is getting underway.

'The initial rock fall occurred between Christmas and New Year but there has since been further rock fall from the bank above the track.

'This is seemingly a natural event - we know these happen from time to time in the gorge. The affected area is in a precarious part of the gorge, where safety barriers are needed to minimise risk to walkers along a narrow section of track next to a steep drop-off,” says Jeff.

DOC staff and contractors will be working to bring down any rock which is threatening to fall. They will then stabilise the bank above the affected area and the barrier and track will be repaired before the track can be opened.

The popular Windows Walk and other attractions are still accessible to visitors. Access to the upper Crown Track, Underground Pumphouse and Dickey Flat is via the Windows Walk.