Reefton to Hokitika
West Coast Self Drive Travel Guide

  Travel Facts
Distance: 119km (75miles )
Approximately: 1 hours 55 minutes
Road Conditions:
State Highway 7 Reefton to Greymouth
State Highway 6 Greymouth to Hokitika

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Reefton - Greymouth - Kumara Junction - Hokitika

From Reefton we follow SH 7 South over the Reefton Saddle and into the Grey River Valley. Approximately 35kms from Reefton we come to the turn off to the former mining town of Waiuta on the plateau above the valley.

This is a short trip (8km) over some unsealed sections, but well worth the drive for the incredible views over the Grey Valley and eastward to the Southern Alps.

Waiuta, high above the Grey Valley .. at one time the South Island's richest Gold mine.

It is somewhat ironic that one of the mine shafts in this locality is the deepest in New Zealand. You see the township sits at approximately 800metres above sea level while the shaft is over 900metres deep. So in theory those early miners climbed to the top of the mountain in order to drive a shaft to the bottom and beyond of the same mountain.

But it was obviously worth the effort, as Waiuta was one of the most prosperous gold fields in New Zealand and lays claim to being the South Island's richest.

Returning to SH7 it is a short drive to the settlement of Ikamatua and Ahaura. At Ahaura we cross the Aharua River via a lengthy one lane bridge, and continue through the valley farmlands and stands of native bush to Stillwater before passing on to the Brunner mine site.

The Brunner Mine is just a few minutes drive west of Stillwater.

The area known as Brunnerton is stepped in mining history, with the settlements of Dobson and Stillwater on the south bank of the Grey and Taylorville on the north being the last vestiges of what once was the largest coal mining operation on the Grey River.

From the 1860's through to the 1940's Coal was extracted as coke, firebricks and other products were produced. Today the site includes many relics and artefacts from the period.

Brunner Mine Site, Grey District.

The history of the mine is clearly laid out with the site being easily recognised by the Tyneside Chimney just past Stillwater on the south, with the Centinial Monument on the north bank just before Taylorville.

There is a good walkway around the site taking in the former brick works and coaking ovens with many interpretive panels in place and the restored box girder bridge across the Grey River linking the two sides of the former mine site for foot traffic. Allow 1 hour to explore the site and complete the short walk.

From here it is a short 15 minute drive on either side of the river through farmland, stands of native forest and bush as you continue through to Greymouth.

 

Reefton - Greymouth - Kumara Junction - Hokitika

Greymouth CBD and the Grey River.

Greymouth is the largest town and main business centre on the West Coast of New Zealand's South Island, with a population of approximately 13,000.

Named for its locality at the mouth of the mighty Grey River, which is named after Sir George Grey, a former Governor General of New Zealand.

Surrounded by rainforest, wild beaches and glorious lakes, back dropped by the majestic Southern Alps, New Zealand's highest mountains. Greymouth is nestled on the Southern bank of the Grey River.

Originally established as a town to supply the prospectors and surveyors in 1863 and surviving on coal, timber and more recently tourism.

At the heart of the Coast, Greymouth is the perfect starting point for a number of Coast journeys, and sightseeing trips. The most notable being Shantytown approximately 10km's south of the township.

The road south is an easy straight forward and interesting drive following the Coast line south from Greymouth to the Taramakau river crossing, on to Kumara Junction and Hokitika.

Taramakau single lane bridge.

From Greymouth we follow State Highway 6 south, at the Taramakau River we come to one of those unique features of New Zeland roads the single lane bridge.

This bridge is even more unique in that it also provides the rail crossing for the Greymouth Hokitika Rail line. Remember the Train always has the right of way.

It is only a few minutes to Kumara Junction where we meet the rail line once more as we take the road south to Hokitika. This is well sign posted.

From Kumara Junction following SH6 to Hokitika the road is interesting and easy traveling.

Hokitika

From about 1864 when the township first sprang up, it, like most other Coast towns was a centre of boasting gold miners, hundreds of hotels and liquor shops, dancing girls and a considerable population of diggers from many parts of the world.

Hokitika Clock Tower.

At one stage boasting a regional population of 50,000 Hokitika was the sixth town in New Zealand, ranking after Nelson.

Hokitika is now a realatively quieter township than it was a 100 years ago, dependent upon farming and tourism.

The majority of Hokitika's attractions are centered around the history and natural resources of the region.

The National Kiwi Centre has the iconic kiwi and tuatara for the visitor to view up close. Feeding time for the eels is another popular event, with some of these said to be over 100 years in age.

Natural Hokitika

There are many attractive spots within easy reach of the township, including Lakes Kaniere and Mahinapua. The rich dairy lands of Kokatahi and Kowhitirangi and the popular must see Hokitika Gorge Scenic Reserve.

The Hokitika beach is a great place for memorable sunsets, for the best make your way to sunset point where the Hokitika river meets the Tasman sea. Following rain or a stormy Tasman the beach is also a good place to fossick for pieces of ponamu (jade) that have been washed up.

 

Welcome to Hokitika - enjoy your stay.

This Guide last Updated: February 2011