Make your way to the Lookout Track 650m along on the left hand side of Soldiers Road. This is on the left 1km south of Reefton along SH7. Head up the gradually climbing forestry road until you reach the lookout with stunning views of Reefton and the surrounding ranges. Follow the forestry roads to find the sweet flowing Zig Zag track which leads you down hill to Rosstown Road and back to Reefton.
This track takes you past the site of the powerhouse that enabled Reefton to be the first town with electric lights in 1888. Starting on Broadway, ride up the road towards Blacks Point for 800m until you see the swing bridge crossing over the Inangahua River. Cross over the river and follow the walking track downstream on the other side. Cross back over on the road bridge and turn right onto Broadway to complete the loop.
Bottled Lightning Powerhouse Loop Clematis Suspension bridge. Photo: Craig Madsen
Reefton Lookout: Zig-Zag Track Head along Broadway towards Blacks Point. Just on the edge of town you will see the Reefton Walkway on your left. A steep short ascent will take you up onto a wide, level track. There is an excellent view of the Reefton Township and surrounding area. Continue along to where the track widens and becomes road. You can either head down this free flowing section out to Dunn Street or keep following the main track and come out at Munson Street.
Continue up the Waitahu Valley from the Clematis Suspension bridge (See Waitahu Valley description). The 4WD track from here to the hut is very rocky and muddy in places, with several streams and fords to cross along the way. 2-3hrs / 7km one way
40min-1hr / 8km
20min / 6km loop
View of Victoria Forest Park. Photo: Jason Blair
Montgomerie Hut (Via the Waitahu Valley) Murray Creek Track. Photo: Jason Blair
Murray Creek Track. Photo: Jason Blair
The mountain bike tracks around Reefton can take you into some very remote places. Go prepared with a first aid kit, bike repair kit and backcountry clothing and equipment. Take particular care crossing the river near Big River Hut.
15min / 1.5km loop
Reefton Walkway
PLAN AND PREPARE:
Family bike ride. Photo: Jason Blair
Saving the best for last, the final leg of the mountain bike Quartzopolis Goldfields Journey is the flowing downhill of Kirwans Track. It is about 20km riding back along the main road to Reefton. Whew! Have a breather (or overnight stay) then make your way to Blacks Point. Choose the Murray Creek Track then link this up to the “Devil’s Tail”. Turn up the Waitahu Valley at the Clematis Suspension Bridge and follow the rough 4WD track up to Montgomerie Hut. The next section of track up to Kirwans Hut is rough and steep in places and will require a push and carry approach. You will appreciate the excuse to stop and look at the impressive Lord Brassey Stamper Battery along the way.
Murray Creek Track. Photo: Jason Blair 2hrs / 8km return
Grade 3 Tracks
The Quartzopolis Goldfields Journey dirt-brevet-epic:
Grade 3 Tracks Start up the Murray Creek Track then loop around past the historic Ajax Mine and Stamper Battery. The track is mostly well-benched single track (intermediate grade) with a few steeper sections. The last 2km to the car park is steep and technical downhill.
Grade 2 Tracks
Konini Pack Track 2hrs / 9km loop
Grade 4 Tracks
Grade 5 Tracks
Lankey Creek Tram Track
Kirwans Track (The Everlasting Downhill)
Start up Murray Creek Track then turn off towards the Energetic Gold Mine site. The track follows an old tram track for most of the way. You are required to walk some stairs to access this otherwise beautifully crafted trail.
This premier, full on, downhill mountain bike ride is one of New Zealand’s legendary rides. Ride or helicopter up to Kirwans Hut, then flow with the forest as it leads you down. This is 10kms of downhill that drops 1000m from top to bottom.
Reefton to Big River
Drive or ride out of Reefton along the main highway towards Westport and take a right turn onto Boatmans Road. From the DOC car park, the track initially follows an old dray road through rich beech forest. Take time to enjoy the intriguing Caples Creek Tunnel and adjoining swing bridge along the way. Soon you will reach the well benched historic miners’ track that steadily winds its way up through the bush. It is a thank-goodness feeling when you finally pop out of the bush to a majestic view and find the hut. It’s all downhill from here.
1.5-2hrs / 6km one way
2-3hrs / 25km one way
A challenging ride on a rough 4WD track through lush beech forest. From Reefton take SH7 towards Greymouth then turn left onto Soldiers Road. Follow the road until you see the Big River sign and veer left onto the 4WD track. The track from here includes mixed surfaces of gravel, mud and rock and some steep descents. Enjoy lunch or an overnight stay at Big River Hut. Explore historic gold mining relics including the impressive and iconic Big River Mine Poppet Head. You may encounter the elusive kaka amongst many other native birds while up here.
3-5hrs up, 1.5-3hrs down / 14km one way
For the heli bike option, contact Alan Rosanowski, Airwest Helicopters (03) 732 8882 or 027 433 8597.
Grade 2 Tracks
1-2hrs / 8km
Murray Creek Track
Wilderness Riding: The Reefton area is rapidly becoming renowned for wilderness adventure riding, with a fascinating historic twist. Ride from Reefton and find historic hand crafted pack tracks, dray roads and tram lines, which thread the luxuriant beech forest into the Goldfields of Quartzopolis.
Murray Creek to Ajax track loop (The Machine Track)
1hr / 7km one way
For very keen adventure riders, this journey links up all of the Reefton mountain biking areas together in one very long ride. There are four DOC huts along the way or you can avoid carrying any overnight gear and stay in Reefton township at the half way point. History: While you ride and explore the trails you will discover mines where the quartz was uncovered and large machinery and structures used for the extraction of gold. Explore and discover the Kirwans Reward Mine and Aerial Ropeway, the Lord Brassey Stamper Battery, the Energetic Mine site and the Big River Poppet Head and 600m deep Mineshaft, along with numerous other relics along the way.
Waitahu Valley (Clematis suspension bridge)
Starting in Reefton ride along the main road towards Greymouth then turn off up to the historic town of Waiuta. Explore the amazing recent history here, then follow the single track to Big River Hut and mine site. The Big River 4WD track will lead you back to Reefton.
“The Reefton area has some of the most valuable historic relics a mountain biker could hope for – benched, perfect gradient single tracks through beech forest”
This track connects the Inangahua Valley with the Waitahu Valley. However, by linking short sections of road at each end, a convenient loop starting and finishing at a Reefton cafe can be achieved. The track climbs up a historic road to the Waitahu Saddle then drops down a benched single track ending with technical, devilish, descent down to the Clematis Suspension bridge. Ride back to Reefton via Gannons Road and the Reefton Highway.
– Ruth Connor, The Mad Keen Mountain Biker’s Road Trip
A return trip climbing up a historic road from Blacks Point to Waitahu Saddle. The open, easy flowing trail continues all the way to the Inglewood Junction and even to the Inglewood Mine. Return back the same way
From the Reefton Walkway climb steeply up to Translator Hill to get stunning views over Reefton. From here, ride a combination of 4WD track and single track to meet Ajax Track (this section may require some walking). Turn right to ride the down the steep and technical Machine Track or left to loop round down Murray Creek. Either way you will end up at the Blacks Point/Murray Creek car park.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
1-2hrs / 6.5km one way (The 25km round trip starting and finishing in Reefton takes 4-5hours including historic pack track/4WD track/Road)
Bike or drive from Reefton (8km) to the end of Gannons Rd. If you drive, park your car in a pull over near the road bridge. From here a 4WD track heads along the picturesque Waitahu River through beautiful beech and rimu forest. The rough road leads you past numerous crystal clear river pools to reach Clematis Suspension Bridge.
Murray Creek to Waitahu Valley (The Clematis Devil)
The best riding in history
Pick your preference for challenge and adventure and you will be rewarded. You may try an easy ride around town, or set your sights on a destination into the wilderness of the Victoria Forest Park. There is a selection of trails from grade 2 (beginner) to Grade 5 (advanced). The tracks may include one or all of the following: smooth single track, swing bridges, mud!, gravel roads, rock!, beautiful moss and ferns, logs! boardwalks and back country huts.
Grade 4 Tracks
Grade 5 Tracks Montgomery Hut to Kirwans Hut (The Lord Brassey Gutbuster) 2-4hrs / 10km
The Lord of Batteries – This Goliath of stamper batteries ‘The Lord Brassey’ stands proud as ever, nestled in the lushness of native bush. It is in such good condition it could almost crush quartz again. You will find yourself asking, ‘how did it get here’. The old miners didn’t mind a challenge.
MOUNTAIN BIKING The best riding in history
You will be able to ride a significant amount of the track up to the Lord Brassey Stamper Battery, but expect to get off and push in places. From the stamper battery up to Kirwans Hut it is very steep with quite a few switch backs. This track links the Waitahu valley with Kirwans Track. Use the “Capleston to Gannons Road Track” to make a massive mountain biking loop.
The Capleston to Gannons Road Track 1-2hrs / 3.5km
A short track that links the end of Kirwans Track to the Gannons Road end in the Waitahu Valley. Part of the track is made up of forestry roads. The track is very steep towards the Gannons Road end.
Contacts: Big River – Waiuta. Photo: Jack Grinsted
REEFTON i-SITE VISITOR CENTRE 67 Broadway, Reefton Phone 03 732 8391 Fax 03 732 8616 Email rvcinfo@xtra.co.nz
Big River – Waiuta 3-4hours / 11km one way
For more Mountain Biking information visit: www.quartzopolis.co.nz
Technical benched single track that continues on from the end of the Big River 4WD track. Expect to experience a challenging range of surfaces from mud and corduroy to mixed flowing sections and smooth, gentle downhill. Continue traversing through beautiful beech forest before reaching the gravel road that leads to the historic town of Waiuta.
For general Reefton information visit: www.Reefton.co.nz For other useful information visit: www.doc.govt.nz This brochure was made with help from:
Lankey Creek Tram Track. Photo: Jason Blair
Walk and Carry. Photo: Craig Madsen
A short, warm-down, circuit of the township will give you a sense of what life was like for the 600-strong population in its glory days, before it was deserted in the 1950’s. Big River – Waiuta. Photo: Jack Grinsted
Kirwans Track Photo: Craig Madsen Kirwans Sunrise. Photo: Craig Madsen
reefton.co.nz buller.co.nz
Blacks Point/Murray Creek Tracks Grade
1 2
3
3
Murray Creek to Ajax track loop (The Machine Track )
4
Murray Creek to Waitahu Valley
4
(The Clematis Devil)
Murray Creek Track
4
Lankey Creek Tram Track
4
Kirwans and Waitahu Valley Tracks
5
(The everlasting downhill)
6
7
5
Waitahu Valley
8 9
2
Mongomerie Hut (Via the Waitahu Valley)
(Clematis suspension bridge)
Kirwans Track –
3
Montgomerie Hut to Kirwans Hut (The Lord Brassey Gutbuster)
5
Capleston to Gannons Road Track
5
Big River/Waiuta Tracks
10 11
Reefton to Big River
4
Big River to Waiuta
4
11 8
Reefton Local Tracks
12 13 14 15
Reefton Lookout – Zig-Zag Track
3
Bottled Lightning Powerhouse Loop
2
Reefton Walkway
2
Konini Pack Track
3
7
Legend
5
4 3 6
2
10 1
9
12
15 13 14
Location map / view angle