Discover Reefton: Hotels and mining history

Reefton is a destination where the townscape and walking tours bring its gold-mining history to life. The town was a major mining centre on the West Coast during the last three decades of the 19th century. When planning your visit, you can distinguish between the historic town centre, trails along the Inangahua River and activities in the surrounding area.

Gold mining in the historic town centre

Most of the surviving buildings from Reefton's gold-mining past are in a compact area where the three main roads into town meet. The Reefton Historic Area is listed as a historic place under the Historic Places Act 1993. This concentration gives the town centre a clear historic focus.

Along Broadway, restored buildings house galleries, souvenir shops, cafés, pubs and second-hand shops. The School of Mines was established in 1886 as a centre for mining education in the Inangahua District. The Oddfellows Hall also has special significance in Reefton's history: it was the first public building in New Zealand to be lit by electricity. Reefton Visitor Centre also features a replica of the underground mining experience, Quartzopolis.

Discover the history on foot

A self-guided history walk takes you through Reefton and includes the Bottled Lightning Power House, across the Inangahua River. The 40-minute loop starts at Reefton Visitor Centre, crosses the river and leads to the derelict remains of a power station. In 1888, it supplied electricity to the country's first streetlights.

The routes link historic sites and take different amounts of time: the loop is listed as taking 40 minutes, while the nearby mountain bike circuit takes about five hours. When planning, you can therefore distinguish a shorter walk in town from a longer ride. Quartzopolis at the Visitor Centre offers another way to explore the mining history.

Trips around Reefton

In Victoria Forest Park, the remains of the Big River Quartz Mine and its associated settlement sites are a major attraction near Reefton. The mine is 30 km south of town, making it a separate destination to plan for outside the compact historic town centre.

A popular mountain bike circuit starts at the Murray Creek Track in Blacks Point. It follows the Waitahu Track to Gannons Road and takes about five hours. Track conditions can change, so check them before setting out. Slab Hut Creek, south of Reefton, is also a freely accessible area for recreational gold fossicking; no permit is required. Check the latest access information before your visit.

Local tours and getting your bearings

Reefton Distilling Co. offers tours and tastings at its retail outlet in the historic, restored Harold Bros General Store in central Reefton. The tours offer an insight into the production of Moonlight Creek Whisky and Little Biddy Gin and must be booked in advance. Confirm the current arrangements before your trip.

The road network also helps you get your bearings: Reefton lies at a central junction of several State Highways. State Highway 69 runs through town to the north and connects it to State Highway 6; State Highway 7 runs along the southern edge of town. These details locate Reefton on the map, while its historic buildings and walking tours shape the experience of visiting the town.

Discover more destinations: Seddonville, Karamea, Karangarua, Denniston, Kumara

Return to the regional travel overview: West Coast.