Beyond Reefton’s charming heritage buildings, lies the largest forest park in Aotearoa New Zealand. Here you can follow in the footsteps of prospectors past, traversing tram lines, pack tracks and ghost towns — in what was once the booming centre of quartz reef gold mining.
Some walks start from Broadway, Reefton’s main street, others require a short drive into the surrounding mountains. Call into the Reefton Visitor Centre for more information on local walks.
A short walk to the source of New Zealand’s first electricity supply
Starting at the Reefton Visitor Centre, this 40-minute loop takes you across the Inangahua River to the run-down remains of the powerhouse that lit up the country’s first streetlights in 1888.
Coal-mine machines, and a Leyland lorry
A loop walk with views of the Victoria and Paparoa Ranges. Scattered among old coal mine workings, you will find remains of makeshift winch equipment, including an old Leyland lorry.
Multi-day adventure into the rugged Victoria Range
A steady 6-hour climb on a well-formed pack track takes you to the modern 12-bunk Kirwans Hut. Stay the night and return, or continue on past the open-cast quartz mine workings near the hut on a steep descent that partly follows the line of an old cableway to the Lord Brassey stamper battery, before reaching the 6-bunk Montgomerie Hut.
The West Coast’s best-known ghost town
Wander around Waiuta, a once bustling mining town of 600 residents founded in 1906 to exploit one of the world’s most abundant gold reefs. Deserted since the mining company shut down operations in 1951, it’s well worth the stroll past the Blackwater Mine and remains of old shops, houses and recreation areas.
New Zealand’s deepest mine shaft
From the Waiuta town site, wind your way up ‘Pro Road’ to the country’s deepest mine shaft, sunk down to 879 metres, creating tough conditions for those who worked in its depths. Recently restored, the foundations of the ball mill show where quartz was ground to extract gold.
A well-formed track to a gold extraction plant
Follow a downhill track from the Waiuta town site to the remains of the Snowy River Stamper Battery, where gold was extracted from ground quartz.
For more detailed and up-to-date information on routes, conditions and essentials needed for walks, please visit the Department of Conservation website. There is a dedicated page for each walk or tramp, and advice on what to wear and take with you.
Reefton Distilling Co. is a modern distillery at the forefront of spirit production in New Zealand. We produce a range of award-winning, small batch distilled premium spirits with a distinct West Coast flavour.
Learn moreGOTRACKS tramping & mountain biking shuttle services to; Old Ghost Road, Heaphy Track, Paparoa Track, all Victoria Forest Park Tracks, Nelson Lakes and Chartered trips for groups 4 - 11 pax.
Learn moreCall into our historic cafe and bakery, the locals have since 1874 - for great coffee, great food, great service.
Learn moreExplore the wonders of Reefton’s surrounds while you stay at Dawson's, the locals’ preferred accommodation.
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