Introduction
This publication covers the recreational opportunities
managed by the Department of Conservation in the
Greymouth Mawheranui area, it also takes in the popular
Lake Brunner Kotuku Whakaoho area and a number of
walks managed by the Grey District Council.
The central West Coast has a distinctive landscape mosaic
of human and natural environments. With a long history of
settlement, development, farming and extractive industries,
the remaining natural ecosystems are confined to a very
small number of lowland reserves and the high country.
Even today coal and gold mining are very active industries
as are forestry and tourism.
Lowland landscapes around this central area, although
fragmented, provide a multitude of recreational
opportunities such as camping, picnicking, swimming,
boating and walking. Thick vegetation still offers good
habitat to many birds, including both common species
such as tui, korimako, brown creepers and kereru, and a
few species not so common such as weka and parakeets.
There are many short walks and places to visit for people
passing through with only a few hours or a day to spare.
For those with more time and a sense of adventure there
are longer tramps available.
A number of historical areas provide interesting excursions
such as the Croesus, Nelson Creek, and Brunner Mine
Site, all are rich in historic remains and offer glimpses of
past lifestyles.
Walk times are average times and do not include resting
or viewing stops. Dogs and domestic animals are not
permitted in National Parks or Reserves and permits are
required to take dogs onto conservation areas.
Look after yourself
Although the walks described in this brochure are
recommended to day visitors, the nature of the West
Coast means weather and track conditions can change
dramatically in a short time. Visitors are advised to call
at the Department of Conservation offices or Visitor
Information Centres to check on current track conditions.
Strong shoes or boots are recommended for anyone
planning more than a few minutes walk. Be prepared for
rain at any time of the year. For longer walks pack a small
Greymouth town walks
These short walks in the Greymouth township are
maintained by the Grey District Council. Phone
them on (03) 769 8600 if you have any comments.
first aid kit and take some food and drink. Insect repellent
is recommended to ward off sandflies and mosquitoes.
Croesus
Access
Leave your intentions with a reliable contact.
From Blackball continue for about 1 kilometre towards Roa
until the turnoff to the Croesus Track (signposted to the
right). The gravel road winds through forest for 5 km to the
Smoke Ho carpark.
Look after the environment
All native plants, wildlife, natural features and historic sites
are strictly protected. Please take your rubbish away and
do not light any fires except where facilities are provided at
designated camping sites. (See also environmental care
code printed elsewhere on this brochure).
Croesus Track
Time: 8 to 10 hours one way
Distance: 22.1 km
The Croesus Track offers a number of tramping
opportunities from short walks to a full day tramp over the
range from Blackball to Barrytown. The Ces Clark Hut
is a 16 bunk serviced hut located on the Paparoa Range
tops. It has a coal stove and mattresses. Hut tickets can
be purchased from the Greymouth i-Site. The hut is about
4 hours from the Blackball side of the Croesus Track,
providing an opportunity for trampers to split the walk into
two days. From the hut the endangered great spotted
kiwi can sometimes be heard calling at night. You will also
need Topomap 260 K31 Ahaura.
Other things to see and do
Many recreational opportunities are available on the West
Coast. The areas mentioned in this publication offer
camping, swimming, boating, goldpanning, picnicking,
historic interest as well as short walks.
For visitors interested in more than short walks there are
many great back country huts and tracks suitable for more
experienced trampers and hunters. Information is available
on these longer tramping tracks from the Department of
Conservation, Greymouth Mawheranui Area Office.
Garden Gully Track
Time: 6 hours return
Distance: 1.1 km (30 minutes) from Croesus Track
junction; 8.2 km return from Smoke Ho carpark
This track leaves the main Croesus Track two hours from
Smoke Ho carpark. The track takes you to an area of
miners camps, to Garden Gully Battery and an old mine
site (track to mine site not maintained). The historic
Garden Gully Hut is an old two bunk hut (with hesian
sacking) located five minutes after the junction of the
Croesus and Garden Gully Track.
Brunner Mine Site
Access
The Brunner Mine Site is located 11 km east of Greymouth
and can be accessed from either SH7 just east of Dobson,
where the old Tyneside Chimney is an obvious landmark,
or across river on the Taylorville Road next to the Brunner
commemorations statue. The Brunner suspension
footbridge spans the Grey River, linking both sides of the
mine site.
Moonlight Track
Time: 2.5 hours one way
Distance: 6.5 km from Anderson Flat carpark
to Meikles Hut (walking track); 7.9 km from
Miekles Hut to Croesus Track Junction (route).
An historic mining track that passes through large tailing
stacks in the Upper Moonlight Valley. The track begins
at Anderson Flat at the end of Moonlight Road. The
Moonlight tops can be reached in about 3-4 hours, from
where a marked route crosses the open tops to link with
the Croesus Track. See Moonlight Track brochure for
details.
Time: Allow at least 1 hour to explore this historic
site.
This was one of the country’s earliest industrial
sites where coal was mined and coke, firebricks and other
products manufactured from the 1860’s until the 1940s.
The area is well interpreted with a short walk around the
historic coke ovens, brick factory and remains of the tunnel
entrances.
Greymouth
Safety
Any problems or comments on the tracks please pass
onto any of the offices listed. If it is a safety issue you may
contact:
Walks in Greymouth
& surrounding areas
Omotumotu Bush Walk
Kowhai Bush Walk
Time: 10 minutes loop (620 m)
A walk through kowhai forest and estuarine vegetation,
which is bounded by the mudflats of Blaketown Lagoon.
Access: From Anzac Park on Cowper Street.
Coronation Domain Walk
Time: 5 minutes one way (200 m)
An easy gradient track through second growth native and
exotic forest. Access: From Kilgour Road to Tindale Road.
Gun Emplacement Walk
Time: 10 minutes return (560 m)
Leads to a concrete structure where a 5” U.S. Naval Gun
was housed which provided a clear firing range of the Grey
River mouth. Access: From Richmond Street in Cobden.
Grand Jeans Creek Walk
Time: 10 minutes return (360 m)
An easy walk passing through an area of attractive native
bush, ending at a rest area overlooking the picturesque
Grand Jeans Creek. Access: Starting and finishing at the
southern end of Perotti Park or from Lydia Street.
Lions Walk
Time: 10 minutes return (60 m)
This short walk takes people into the Rapahoe Range
Scenic Reserve. The walk climbs uphill steadily through
bush before a lookout is reached. The lookout provides
panoramic views of the Greymouth area, coastline and
Southern Alps on a clear day. Access: Starting at the end
of Weld Street in Cobden.
West coast tai poutini
More information
www.doc.govt.nz
Greymouth Mawheranui
Area Office
Department of Conservation
PO Box 370
Greymouth
Ph 03 768 0427
Fax 03 768 7417
Protect plants and
animals
Remove rubbish
West Coast Tai Poutini
Conservancy Office
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 701
Sewell Street
Hokitika
Ph 03 756 9100
Fax 03 756 9195
email [email protected]
Bury toilet waste
Keep streams and
lakes clean
Take care
with fires
Camp carefully
Keep to the track
Consider others
Greymouth Information Centre
PO Box 95
Cnr Mackay and Herbert St
Greymouth
Ph 03 768 5101
Fax 03 768 0317
Respect our cultural
heritage
Enjoy your visit
Toitu te whenua
(Leave the land
undisturbed)
Published by
Department of Conservation
West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy
Private Bag 701
Hokitika
2008
Crown copyright
9 421005 173758 >
Fishing at Lake Brunner (photo: Stewart Nimmo)
Time: 25 minutes loop (1.5 km)
Omotumotu Bush is the only substantial forest area
remaining within the urban area of Greymouth. An easy
walk with a short deviation to a lookout point with views of
regenerating forest. Access: Starting from Marsden Road
in Greymouth.
To Punakaiki
Westport
Nelson Creek Area
4
N
Time: 30 - 45 minutes one way
Distance: 1.3 km to lookout point; 2 km to Prices
Creek Road
This track climbs steadily to a mossy knoll lookout point
which gives views into the valleys on either side of the
ridge. It then levels out and eventually links with the
Prices Creek Road.
Garden
Gully
Track
hw
ay
6
Easy access short
walk - wheelchair
accessible
Runanga
Coal Creek Walk
Ngahere
ay
Brunner
Mine Site
Cobden
Gun Emplacement Walk
Lions Walk
Greymouth
Kowhai Bush Walk
Coronation Domain Walk
Grandjeans Creek Walk
Omotumotu Bush Walk
te
Sta
w
igh
Nelson Creek
H
Walking track - gentle
walking from a few
minutes to a day
Nelson Creek
Stillwater
Tramping track backcountry skills and
experience needed
Dobson
Aorangi
Nature Walk
Paroa
7
Nelson Creek
Walks
Short walk - easy
walking for up to an
hour
Arnold River
Arnold River
Walk
Woods Creek
Track
Rakaitane
Walk
Taramakau River
Velenski Walk
Moana
Route - navigation and
high level backcountry
skills and experience
required.
e
at
St
ig
H
Bain Bay
Track
ay
hw
To Hokitika
Glaciers
Lake Brunner
Mitchells
Kumara
Sta
te
Hig
h
wa
y
6
73
Tailrace Walk
Ahaura
Blackball
Rapahoe
Point Elizabeth
Walkway
Colls Dam Walk
Time: 40 minutes loop
Distance: 1.1 km
This track can also be accessed from the Gows
Creek carpark. The walk takes in some good examples
of tailraces and tailings as well as providing a pleasant
lookout point and picnic area above Colls Dam.
To Reefton
Nelson
Andersons
Flat
Grey River
Gold Fossicking
Callaghans Track
Moonlight
Track
Croesus Track
Small children should be under close supervision, owing
to the deep tailraces intersecting this historic area.
There is an opportunity to pan for gold at the Nelson
Creek or Moonlight Creek “Gold Fossicking Areas”.
Detailed information can be obtained from separate
brochures for Nelson Creek and Moonlight Track.
Barrytown
8 Km
Hig
From Greymouth follow SH7 25 km north to Ngahere
and turn right at the Ngahere-Kopara Road and SH7
intersection, carry on for 7 km to the Nelson Creek
settlement. The Nelson Creek Recreation Area is
opposite the Nelson Creek Hotel. All tracks start from the
Nelson Creek carpark or via the Gows Creek road bridge
carpark.
4
Sta
te
Access
0
To Arthurs Pass
Christchurch
Mt French
Route
Carew Falls
Track
Ara O Te Kinga
Track
To Arthurs Pass
Christchurch
Time: 20 minutes loop
Distance: 900 m
This easy track crosses four impressive tailraces
and passes many piles of tailings.
Greymouth area
Lake Brunner Kotuku Whakaoho area
Arnold River Dam Walk
Velenski Walk
Time: 1 hour loop
Distance: 1.7 km
This forest walk passes through Arnold River
Scenic Reserve and offers views of the Arnold
River Power Station.
Time: 20 minutes one way
Distance: 600m
Passing through a scenic reserve of mixed
podocarp forest, this track offers lovely views over Lake
Brunner Kotuku Whakaoho. You can either walk back to
the start via the streets (10-15 minutes) or return the way
you came.
Access: Follow SH7 from Greymouth to Stillwater, turn
right onto the Arnold Valley Road and continue to a sign
posted turnoff on the left leading to the Arnold River
Power Station. The start of the track is just to the right over
the pipeline bridge.
Rakaitane Walk
Time: 30 minutes return
Distance: 1.2 km return
This partial loop walk meanders its way through
magnificent podocarp forest to a viewing point. From
here it follows the river
upstream, passing
through large tree ferns to
rejoin the original track.
Access: From Moana
car park, turn right after
crossing the suspension
bridge.
Bain Bay Track
Time: 2.5 hours return
Distance: 7.2 km
This track follows a
boardwalk through
wetlands and then
around the lake shore to
a secluded camping and
picnic area at Bain Bay.
Coal Creek Falls (Rununga)
Time: 1 hour return
Distance: 3.6 km return
Taking you into the Coal Creek Valley the track
wanders through a mixed beech-podocarp forest ending
at Coal Creek Falls.
Access: The track starts at the back of Runanga on the
main Coast Road. AA signs lead you around the back
streets to the car park at the end of Ballance Street.
Access: This walk is located on the northern edge of the
lake, behind Moana township, 34 km from Greymouth.
There are two entrances - from Taku Street in Moana and
200m west of Moana motorcamp on Ahau Street (no
parking available at this end).
Aorangi Nature Walk
Time: 5 minutes loop
Distance: 200m
A short loop walk through mixed podocarp forest.
Access: Aorangi Nature Walk is located off Marsden
Road, about 2 km south of central Greymouth in Aorangi
Scenic Reserve.
Mount Te Kinga Ara O Te Kinga
Time: 3 hours return to second viewpoint
(easy tramping); 8 hours return to Mt Te Kinga
(route - take topo map K32)
Distance: 5.4 km and 12.4 km respectively
The track to the two lookouts is benched and bridged,
but ascends some 300m in altitude, so is recommended
for people of reasonable fitness. The forest contains fine
specimens of kahikatea, rimu and matai, and is populated
by a variety of native birds.
Woods Creek Track
Time: 45 minutes return
Distance: 1.1 km return
Tunnels dug by 19th century goldminers lend
mystery to this walk through native bush. The walk is
suitable for people with medium fitness. A torch would be
handy to look into the tunnels.
It takes about an hour to reach the first viewpoint and
another 10 minutes to get to the second. There are views
out across the lake to Iveagh Bay, the outlet of Crooked
River and Moana township.
Access: From Paroa (at the southern end of Greymouth)
turn left onto the Shantytown Road. Travel down this road
for 22 km past both Marsden and Dunganville.
The route beyond leading to the tops is recommended for
fit and experienced trampers only.
Point Elizabeth Walkway
Time: 1 hour 45 minutes one way
Distance: 5.5 km one way
An interesting coastal/bush walk with good views
and a few sites of historic interest along the way, ending at
the carpark at the mouth of Seven Mile Creek Waimatuku.
Unless you return via the same walk you will need to
arrange transport back to your vehicle.
Access: starts at the end of the Cashmere Bay/Iveagh Bay
road, signposted from the main (Arnold Valley) road, 5 km
south-east of Moana.
Mt French Route
Time: 8 hours return (take topo map K32)
Distance: 7 km
Mt French (1305m) on the Hohonu Range is a full
day tramp on an unformed route. This route starts
approximately 5 km west of Mitchells on the InchbonnieKumara Road.
Bain Bay boardwalk (photo Stewart Nimmo)
Carew Falls Track
Time: 1 hour, return
Distance: 2 km return
Climbing gently on a well formed track you
travel through mixed podocarp forest. The track climbs
more steeply as it leads you onto the rocks below the
impressive Carew Falls.
Access: From Mitchells, drive past the lodge across the
bridge towards Inchbonnie. The walking track starts 50m
along from the bridge.
Department of Conservation
Te Papa Atawhai
The scenic reserves, and other protected lands in the
central West Coast region are administered by the
Department of Conservation as part of the Department’s
West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy. Local management
and conservation work for the area is provided from the
Area office at Greymouth. Brochures, maps, hut tickets
and general information are available from the Greymouth.
Information Centre.
Access: From Greymouth head north via Cobden onto
Bright Street, Domett Esplanade and North Beach Road
(about 6 km) or via Rapahoe, Seven Mile Road.
Point Elizabeth Nikau Palms (photo: Stewart Nimmo)
Access: From Kumara
Junction head towards
Kumara village and turn
left, follow the road to
Mitchell’s (25 kms from
Kumara Junction). Once
at Lake Brunner Lodge
turn down a short road
leading to the lake.