Wed, 25th Mar, 2026 (part1) Geoff & Virginia’s place, Taramakau Settlement to The Strand campsite, Reefton, NZ (Shantytown)

9 degrees this morning so on with the heater. Light fog.

Packed up and thanked Geoff & Virginia again then headed back to Kumara. Checked out the Street Library but there were only old Wilbur Smith books.

Headed back to the coast then continued northward. The sky has a thin cloud over it and it is quite cool.

Turned off to Shantytown which I visited in 1982. I still have my bit of gold that I panned here.

When we pulled into the car park the train was belching out black smoke.

We watched a person ride in on a motorised unicycle. Chatted with her as we walked in. She is from Christchurch and rode that up through Arthur’s Pass. Her legs are exhausted now so she’s going to take the train back.

There is lots to see here.

Inside to pay our fee and get a map. Lots of interesting things to see.

Outside we wandered about waiting for the next train ride.

The engine has arrived at the station.

Still time to check out Chinatown.

Into the railway station ready for our train ride. It is actually a tramway on which they carted all the timber to the sawmill etc.

Off we go rattling along. Chatted with the other people around us. 

Reached the end and back to the ‘sawmill’ site - it has moved around over the years. Great displays. A big screen showed photos from various mills.

Wandered across the rail lines and followed a track to where the gold panning happens. We didn’t pay the $15 each to pan as we prefer to find it with a detector! We watched some others for a bit.

Followed another pathway through the various ‘displays’. Some of the ‘voices’ worked when you pressed the buttons, telling good stories of days past. We obviously walked in the wrong way as the info about Brighton Gully we read as we headed out!

Continued along a track with lots of information boards. It’s amazing when you think of all the pioneers achieved through just hard work.

Back to the main street. Wandered in and out of the various buildings.

Found the Barber Shop I posed in all those years ago. Set up is different now but looks the same on the info board.

Next door is a boot shop.

Continued on through the printers.

Across to the hall which has lots of different things on display.

Lots of ‘fun’ things to photograph too. Steve tried out the gaol cell.

Continued on through the different buildings. Great displays.

Around to the old hospital. Lots of interesting items.

Continued along the street. Freemasons then the butcher.

Beside the Coronation Hall was a little building which I think is the cabin off the steamer grounded at Greymouth. Plenty of beautiful things to admire on both floors of the Hall.

Across to the jewellers and bank.

Followed the path by the train tracks. This shed looks like a newer display so it probably wasn’t here when I came.

Back to the entrance with tired legs - still recovering from the big climb to the waterfall yesterday. Thanked the staff and headed back to the camper The car park was the site of the timber mill and rail line followed this thin road.

Made lunch and sat in the camper. It has warmed up though the sky is still hazy.