Access

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.

Croesus Track

Time: 8 to 10 hours one way Distance: 22.1 kmThe 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.

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.

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.

GreymouthWalks in Greymouth & surrounding areas

West coast tai poutini

More information

Published byDepartment of ConservationWest Coast Tai Poutini ConservancyPrivate Bag 701Hokitika2008Crown copyright

www.doc.govt.nzGreymouth Mawheranui Area Office Department of Conservation PO Box 370GreymouthPh 03 768 0427Fax 03 768 7417

West Coast Tai PoutiniConservancy OfficeDepartment of Conservation Private Bag 701 Sewell StreetHokitikaPh 03 756 9100Fax 03 756 9195email westcoast@doc.govt.nz

Greymouth Information CentrePO Box 95Cnr Mackay and Herbert St Greymouth Ph 03 768 5101 Fax 03 768 0317

Protect plants and

animals

Remove rubbish

Bury toilet waste

Keep streams and

lakes clean

Take care

with fires

Camp carefully

Keep to the track

Consider others

Respect our cultural

heritage

Enjoy your visit

Toitu te whenua

(Leave the land

undisturbed)

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:

9 421005 173758 >

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

first aid kit and take some food and drink. Insect repellent is recommended to ward off sandflies and mosquitoes.

Leave your intentions with a reliable contact.

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).

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.

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.

Time: Allow at least 1 hour to explore this historic site.

This was one of the countrys earliest industrial sites where coal was mined and coke, firebricks and other products manufactured from the 1860s 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.

Other things to see and do

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.

Omotumotu Bush Walk

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.

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.

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Croesus Introduction

Velenski Walk

Time: 20 minutes one way Distance: 600mPassing 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: 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).

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.

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.

The route beyond leading to the tops is recommended for fit and experienced trampers only.

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 Inchbonnie-Kumara Road.

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 Departments 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.

Km4 0 4 8

Grey River

Point ElizabethWalkway

Taramakau River

Arnold River

Nelson Creek

Lake Brunner

Runanga

Stillwater

NgahereNelson Creek

Ahaura

Greymouth

Moana

MitchellsKumara

BarrytownTo PunakaikiWestport

To Arthurs PassChristchurch

To ReeftonNelson

Rapahoe

To HokitikaGlaciers

Grandjeans Creek Walk

Gun Emplacement WalkLions Walk

Kowhai Bush Walk

Omotumotu Bush Walk

Coronation Domain Walk

AorangiNature Walk

Woods CreekTrack

Arnold RiverWalk

Carew FallsTrack

Bain BayTrack

RakaitaneWalk

Velenski Walk

Nelson CreekWalks

Croesus Track

GardenGullyTrack

BrunnerMine Site

Ara O Te KingaTrack

To Arthurs PassChristchurch

Coal Creek Walk

Cobden

Dobson

Blackball

State H

ighway 7

Stat

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Stat

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State Highway 73

MoonlightTrack

AndersonsFlat

Mt FrenchRoute

Nelson Creek Area

Access

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.

Small children should be under close supervision, owing to the deep tailraces intersecting this historic area.

Gold Fossicking

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.

Callaghans Track

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.

Colls Dam Walk

Time: 40 minutes loop Distance: 1.1 kmThis 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.

Tailrace Walk

Time: 20 minutes loop Distance: 900 m This easy track crosses four impressive tailraces

and passes many piles of tailings.

Lake Brunner Kotuku Whakaoho area

Arnold River Dam Walk

Time: 1 hour loop Distance: 1.7 kmThis forest walk passes through Arnold River Scenic Reserve and offers views of the Arnold

River Power Station.

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 returnThis 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.

Access: From Kumara Junction head towards Kumara village and turn left, follow the road to Mitchells (25 kms from Kumara Junction). Once at Lake Brunner Lodge turn down a short road leading to the lake.

Carew Falls Track

Time: 1 hour, return Distance: 2 km returnClimbing 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.

Easy access short walk - wheelchair accessible

Short walk - easy walking for up to an hour

Walking track - gentle walking from a few minutes to a day

Tramping track - backcountry skills and experience needed

Route - navigation and high level backcountry skills and experience required.

Greymouth area

Coal Creek Falls (Rununga)

Time: 1 hour return Distance: 3.6 km returnTaking 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.

Aorangi Nature Walk

Time: 5 minutes loop Distance: 200mA 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.

Woods Creek Track

Time: 45 minutes return Distance: 1.1 km returnTunnels 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.

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.

Point Elizabeth Walkway

Time: 1 hour 45 minutes one way Distance: 5.5 km one wayAn 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: From Greymouth head north via Cobden onto Bright Street, Domett Esplanade and North Beach Road (about 6 km) or via Rapahoe, Seven Mile Road.

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Bain Bay boardwalk (photo Stewart Nimmo)

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