We approached this beautiful town in a middle of the moutons from East on our way from Hanmer Springs to Charleston, as this place was a planned stopover on our trip. The journey itself is a part of the adventure, with the road crossing the spectacular Lewis Pass before descending towards the West Coast. Tucked away in the Inangahua Valley between the Victoria and Paparoa ranges, Reefton is one of those West Coast towns that rewards curious travelers. Reefton is the only inland town on the West Coast and has a fascinating history shaped by gold, coal, pioneering technology and the people who came to make their fortunes.
Since our Lantern Court Motel (www.lanterncourtmotel.co.nz) was booked in advance, we checked in as soon as arrived to the town. This was one of the most affordable accommodation during our Road Trip Across New Zealand. We literally had the whole second floor of the building for a very reasonable price. There is an automatic laundromat located across the road, so, we put our dirty stuff in there and had a dinner. After our evening meal, we had a quick walk through and took some stunning pictures of the dark streets.
In the morning, we left our car on the hotel parking spot and started our walk in the centre of town. Reefton’s main street, Broadway, is an easy place to explore on foot, with historic buildings, cafés, small thrift shops and heritage plaques telling stories about the people and businesses that helped build the town. The streets are full of blooming flowers and trees, no camera can show all of it gorgeousness, the best way to see it – visit this place in person. A good first stop is the Reefton Visitor and Service Centre, where you can learn about the region’s mining history and see a replica underground mine experience. It is also a useful place to pick up information about local walks and attractions.
One of the most interesting things about Reefton is its connection with electricity. In 1888, Reefton became the first place in New Zealand, and the first place in the Southern Hemisphere, to have a public electricity supply and electric street lighting. A visit to the foundations and remaining infrastructure of historic Reefton Power Station on the other side of the river gave us an insight into this remarkable piece of local history. It is easy to forget how pioneering this achievement was when walking through the quiet streets of the modern town. On our way back, we crossed the river via beautiful hanging bridge, which is another tourist attraction point in the town.
There is Blacks Point Museum in the town however, we didn’t visit it as were short on time. This small museum is packed with artefacts, photographs and memorabilia from the area’s mining and pioneering past. One of its highlights is the operational quartz stamper battery, which gives visitors a tangible impression of the machinery once used to process gold-bearing rock. The museum is particularly worthwhile for anyone interested in local history and the everyday lives of the people who lived in the mining settlements. We would definitely visit this place when we are there the next time.
In the afternoon we returned to Broadway and enjoyed a coffee and a meal while soaking up the relaxed West Coast atmosphere. Reefton has a distinctly old-fashioned character, but it is not simply a preserved mining town. Local cafés, shops and small businesses have given the town a fresh energy while retaining its historical personality.
Our time in Reefton was much more than a quick stop on a West Coast road trip. From its gold-mining heritage and pioneering electricity story to its forest trails and disappearing settlements, the town offers a fascinating glimpse into New Zealand’s past. We came for the scenery, stayed for the stories, and left with a new appreciation for this quietly remarkable corner of the West Coast. That was another fantastic location of our Road Trip Across New Zealand.
After our lunch we packed our stuff back to the Jag and continued our way to Charleston, as we were going to see the rainfall forest and glow worms there. Stay tunes to read the next chapter of our Road Trip Across New Zealand.
To be continued…
Thank you for reading,
Best regards, Alex.
EventsHub team.