Blacks Point Museum

Franklin Street, Blacks Point

This museum, housed in an historic building focuses on goldmining. About 100 metres further along the road is a water-driven stamper, a unique working example of how quartz was crushed for the extraction of gold.

Opens: Oct-April Wednesday - Friday 9.00am - 12.00pm, 1pm-4pm; Saturday and Sunday 1.00pm - 4.00pm
May-September: by arrangement

Entry Fee applies

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Brunner Mine

Taylorville, north east of Greymouth

Brunner mine is one of New Zealand's most important early industrial sites and the scene of the country's worst mining disaster. The site includes remains of the beehive coke ovens dating from the 1860s along with other interesting relics.

There are interpretation panels to give visitors an idea of what the operation was like in its hey-day. The historic swing bridge across the Grey River is an important example of early engineering. On the south bank of the Grey River, the old Tyneside colliery chimney can be seen.

Outside viewing during daylight hours

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Coaltown Museum

Lower Queen Street, Westport

The Coaltown Museum is devoted to the industrial history of the Buller region. It includes exhibitions on coal mining, and information on the Denniston Incline, gold mining and milling in the region.

Open: Daily 9.00am - 4.00pm

Tel:(03) 789 8204
Email: coaltown@xtra.co.nz

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Friends of the Hill Museum and information centre

Denniston

The Friends of the Hill run a museum in the old Denniston High School building which they have restored.

Hours: Long weekends 10.30am - 4.00pm; school holidays 10.30am - 4.00pm
Other times by arrangement.

Tel: Gary James (03) 789 9755

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History House Museum

Gresson Street, Greymouth

This museum includes a large collection of historic photographs.

Open: Monday - Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm and summer weekends.

Tel: (03) 768 4028

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Jack's Mill School Bungalow

Kotuku

A model bungalow built as a hands-on project for school children and completed in 1939.

Open: Sunday 2.00 - 5.00pm

Contact: Contact Bob and Marilyn Smithem (03) 738 0049

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Shantytown

Rutherglen Road, Paroa, Greymouth

A replica gold-mining town from the 1860s which includes over 30 buildings.

Open: Daily 8.30am - 5.00pm.
Entry fee applies

Tel: (03) 762 6634

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West Coast Historic Museum

Corner Tancred and Hamilton Streets, Hokitika

The museum includes the historic Carnegie Library (1908), one of 18 libraries built in New Zealand with the assistance of Scottish-American philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.

Open: Summer daily, 9.30am - 5.00pm; Winter Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5pm weekdays, Saturday and Sunday 10.00am - 2.00pm

Entry fee applies

Phone:(03) 755 6898
Email: hokimuseum@xtra.co.nz

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Mitchell's Gully Gold Mine

State HIghway 6, 22 km south of Westport

Includes old diggings, drop shafts, an ore tram ride through the old tunnels from which ore was taken and a rebuilt stamping battery, on its original site which operated from 1866 till 1914, around the clock, 7 days a week.

Open: Daily 9.00am - 4.00pm
Entry Fee applies

Read more about Mitchell's Gully mine

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Northern Buller Museum

Granity

The Museum consists of two adjoining buildings, the largest of which houses historical coke ovens which began operating around 1908 to produce coke for the domestic market as well as items relating to the old mining era of Millerton and Stockton.

The other building houses a photographic and archive collection and a display of household contents of the 1920/30 era.

Hours: Monday-Friday 9.00am-3.00pm; Weekends 11.00am-1.00pm

Tel: (03) 783 8135 or (03) 782 8194

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Reefton School of Mines

Reefton

The school was opened in 1886. It was the school where miners learnt their trade. At times local school children also came to learn about chemistry as part of their schooling. Includes an extensive technical book collection, a large mineral collection sourced from all around the world, and an assay room.

Open: Entry is by arrangement through the Reefton Visitor Centre.

Modest entry fee applies

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Mahinapua Rail Bridge

Near Hokitika

Built in 1905, it was used until 1998 when the rail line closed. It has a span of 87 metres.

Viewing at any reasonable time

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Ross Miners Cottage

Ross

An 1885 miners cottage has been restored and filled with historic artefacts and pictures. The display includes a replica of the largest nugget of gold ever found in NZ (99 ounces).

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Waiuta Historic Reserve

38 km south of Reefton, turn off State Highway 7 just before Ikamatua

This ghost town contains relics of its gold mining past. Within its forest-surrounded setting, many mining relics remain from the days when it was a bustling miners' town, and a few of the towns original buildings still remain, including the old police station.

Outside viewing at any reasonable time

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