CHARLESTON
port ADVENTURES WestUNDERWORLD
West Coast
Based in Charleston and specialising in adventures in Paparoa National Park. Explore an enormous cave system, raft down the wild Nile River, abseil into an abyss, journey into chasms lit only by glowworms and ride through untamed wilderness on the rainforest train.
JACK’S PIZZA & GASTHOF The very definition of off-the-beatentrack, this rugged farm is pleasantly unconventional. Shabby-chic and nothing but, pitch your tent for $10 a night and scoff pizza for dinner. Swim in the river, enjoy zero phone reception and take cash – it’s all they accept.
PUNAKAIKI CHARLESTON
LEFT: © Underworld Adventure, Charleston BELOW: Reefton Court House © Adobe Stock
Reefton
PUNAKAIKI
Greymouth
Reefton
Reefton Visitor Centre You wouldn’t know from merely walking past, but this centre houses its own mine. As well as a working winding engine (mining hoist), there’s a walkthrough replica gold mine.
BULLER
Greymouth
DISTRICT
Reefton Distilling Co A modern distillery causing a big stir on the spirit scene. Housed in the original 19th century Haralds General Store, there's a distillery, tasting bar, store and small tours at 4pm.
The Broadway Tearooms
BULLER Reefton © West Coast Tourism
Oddfellows Hall Reefton was the first town in the southern hemisphere to have electric street lights; the fifth settlement in the world to provide residents with electricity. Check out the first electric light which has glowed above Oddfellows Hall since 1888.
Bottled Lightning Powerhous Walk Seek the original Reefton
See Map Section - pages 109 to 122
DISTRICT
power station, located along this 40-minute looped walk. Demolished in 1961, remnants remain. Start from the i-SITE and follow the swing bridge over Inangahua River.
Mountain Biking From 20 minutes to multi-day adventures, Reefton is a mountain biking mecca, with 15 named trails, many of which link together. For an easy Grade
2 track, try Reefton Lookout or up the ante with Big River (Grade 3). Hardcore riders will enjoy the strenuous Kirwans Track.
The Bearded Miners Step inside a crooked old miner’s hut. Sit in front of the fire, enjoy a cup of billy tea and listen as the bearded miners share a wealth of knowledge and anecdotes. Watch traditional blacksmithing and pan for gold.
A bakery since 1874, serving miners for well over 130 years. With a historical façade, food made from a family recipe book – and the cat’s a bit of a character, too!
Reefton Cinema Established in 1951 and albeit newly refurbished, the cinema retains all its vintage charm. At $15 adult tickets (and $8.50 for children) the prices are also refreshingly retro.
Pan for gold in Slab Hut Creek Six-minutes from Reefton in Victoria Forest Park, complete with DOC campsite. Try gold fossicking in the creek – gold pans are available to buy at Reefton Sports Centre.
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