Speaking with Jesse Mulligan on RNZ Afternoons, Lockhart said she often recommends the historic West Coast ghost town to travellers. She described Waiuta as a community that once thrived until a mining disaster in 1950, after which residents left but many of the original features remained.
She highlighted remnants such as houses, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and the former hospital – now a Department of Conservation hut with full cooking facilities – as reasons the site is so appealing. Lockhart said Waiuta offered an affordable and accessible holiday spot at the foot of the Paparoa Ranges, calling it “beautiful” and “a piece of New Zealand history.”
Development West Coast marketing and communications manager Aaron Rees said it was a huge endorsement to have Lonely Planet’s Oceania editor highlight Waiuta as her favourite destination in the country.
“Waiuta is a hidden gem with a fascinating history. Having it highlighted by Lonely Planet shows just how unique our region’s experiences are,” Rees said.
Waiuta is recognised as a Tohu Whenua site.
It was the location of the third biggest mine in Aotearoa New Zealand and the largest producer of gold on the West Coast. Its mines produced nearly 750,000 ounces of gold, which today would be worth $1.6 billion.
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