Reefton

Reefton, on the Lewis Pass road and near Victoria Conservation Park (NZ's largest), is well worth a stop and its claim to fame is an illuminating one – in 1888 it was the first town in the Southern Hemisphere to have electric streetlights!

Broadway

Broadway

Reefton Court House

Bearded Miners

Reefton Distilling Co.

Broadway Tearooms and Bakery

Reefton Masonic Lodge

Oddfellows Hall

Reefton Powerhouse walk

Reefton trots

About

The small town of Reefton is a place for everyone to enjoy - be it for a day or two, a week or a place to call home.

Reefton is a small town on New Zealand's West Coast region, some 80 km northeast of Greymouth, in the valley of the Inangahua River.

State Highway 7 passes through the southern part of the town, and State Highway 69 runs north to connect to State Highway 6.

Ahaura is 44 km south-west of Reefton, Inangahua Junction is 34 km to the north, Maruia is 63 km to the east, and the Lewis Pass is 66 km to the south-east.

Mining in Reefton

The mining town of Reefton is sited on river flats where the Īnangahua River leaves its narrow gorge through the Victoria Range.

Originally a gold-mining town, it became a centre for coal mining in the 20th century. In 2008 gold mining is again dominant, with a large opencast pit opened by Oceana Gold.

Reefton's gold rush in the 1860's helped to establish a rich heritage.

As well as being the first to have a public supply of electricity, the town was the first to switch on an electric street lighting system in the Southern Hemisphere.

Many of the heritage buildings have been restored and offer an insight to the past as well as providing a range of accommodation, places to eat and shop.

Teamed with all the charm and character that Reefton has to offer, you will find a range of unique activities and attractions that help to make Reefton an iconic destination.

Reefton is a Tohu Whenua landmark