Wed, 25th Mar, 2026 (part2) Geoff & Virginia’s place, Taramakau Settlement to The Strand campsite, Reefton, NZ (Grey River mining)

Back out then continued north to Greytown.

Found an Op Shop to get some more books, a small saucepan and two proper coffee mugs as the ones provided aren’t big enough. A group of young people were buying ‘outfits’ for their tour group dinner tonight. That brought back memories of our fancy dress night in Queenstown in 1982.

Picked up this information booklet too. Info about Reefton where we are heading today.

Headed off again onto the State Highway 7 along the south side of the Grey River towards Reefton.

We turn away from the river and travel through some homes then back to pastures again. Back to the river climbing a hill.

Pulled into car park for the Brunner & Tyneside Coal Mine lookout and walks. Took a few photos while we waited for the kettle to boil. Washed our cups and had a decent sized cup of coffee first. Great reflection in the water.

Walked past the big chimney.

Stopped in the shelter shed to read the information about the mine.

Headed down the track past the chimney then a site of an old mine shaft.

Across the railway line and onto the suspension bridge.

Looks like a doorway in the rock.

To the other side and another information shelter. Very interesting.

View back to the chimney and our camper.

Walked along checking out the remains.

Continued following the path to an old shaft.

Up to the memorial.

View further upstream.

Very interesting and sad to read of all the lives lost. What hard lives they led. 

Back to the camper and continued up Gorge Road.

If we turned right we would head to Moana and Lake Brunner that we visited the other day but from the other side of the lake. Turning left goes up the left side of the river which we will travel when we come back.

Continued on the SH7, under one-way rail bridge and back into farms along the river.

Alongside the railway line. I said ‘we just need to see a train now’ and then one appeared hauling coal.

Continued on to and old steam train which was built in Hokitika and now decorates this park. Nice view from here.

Continued on through houses in the Red Jacks area and another big saw mill. We had passed one earlier.

Over a few creeks into a wide pastured valley. Because of the high rainfall the farmers mound up their paddocks to help with the drainage and to provide dry ground for the cattle and dairy cows to walk. Thicker clouds to the north. Rain forecast for Fri to Sun!

Over Ahaura River bridge.

A sculpture’s place then the Hotel, est 1871 - lots of antlers on the walls.

Continued on through more farms. Another rural community of Totara Flat then across the railway line after the coal train had passed. A truck carting logs on the other side.

Train isn’t going too fast so we caught up with it then passed it.

Old 2-lane bridge over the Big Grey River.

Next community with a hotel and 2 churches is Ikamatua and rail yards etc.

Bigger mountains on our right as we are closer to the Southern Alps. There is still a mountain range on the left side of the plain and river.

Across the Little Grey River.

Across the railway line then over a one-lane bridge over Stony Creek which was full of stones.

Big slips on the hillside then back over the railway line. Lucky we left the train behind.

Over the Little Grey River again as the valley gets narrower. Up and over the hill. The train must go through a tunnel as the railway line is back beside us again.