Gateway to West Coast a prospector’s paradise

Press, 26 April 1984, Page 29

Gateway to West Coast a prospector’s paradise

Entering the West Coast from the Lewis Pass one comes upon Reefton, also known as the “Gateway to the West Coast.” The town is nestled in amongst some very rugged hills which gradually rise to mountains. Despite this, the area is only 192 metres above sea level, and it is here that one leaves the mountains behind and enters the gently rolling countryside of the Grey Valley.

Because of its location, it often attains a high summer temperature, is cool in winter but has very little wind.

Situated on the banks of the Inangahua River, it is an area which is extraordinarily rich in minerals — gold, coal, garnets, uranium and mica to name but a few.

Fossils are discernible in the limestone formations which date back to the Devonian era, and the area also contains many less common but nevertheless valuable minerals — a prospector’s paradise. ' Formerly known as Reef Town and Quartzopolis, it owes its early existence to the discovery of gold in 1866 by John Redman in the creek which now bears his name.

Then, in 1870, Shiel pegged the first quartz reef in the region and, before long, many reefs had been discovered. These carried very illustrious names — Ajax, Energetic, Globe and Keep-it-Dark.

It was at this time that Donald Ross established Rosstown on the south bank of the river. The business centre, however, was later located on the north bank, where it stands today. The town also lays claim to fame in that it was the first in the Southern Hemisphere to have electric lighting. It is also interesting'to note that during its

gold days, more than ?16 million worth of the yellow substance was sold. With accommodation being provided by a camping ground, motels and hotels, Reefton is now an .ideal stopover centre.

In the town itself is the Reefton Domain, a lovely spot with a fine swimming pool in the river, the King George V Park in the centre of the town, and the School of Mines where one can view one of the finest collections of New Zealand minerals.

Within easy walking distance is the site of the old electric power plant, which is just over the swing bridge on the Lewis Pass side of the town.

After a short drive, excellent walks are available at Murray Creek, Lankeys Creek, Merrijigs, Big River and the Waitahu. The Forest Service office in Crampton Road has information on these areas.

Travelling from Reefton on the Lewis Pass Highway, you pass through Blacks Point, then about 3km further on is the junction marked Garveys Creek Road State Coal Mine.

This road winds up through bush, passing small private mines till the summit is reached. At the summit, is the State Coal Mines Island Block Opencast. (Information from “Scenicland — West of the Alps.”)