Reefton Area

Reefton is a small town on the West Coast of New Zealand with a population of around 900.

Reefton was a thriving gold mining town in the late 19th century, and gold mining lasted from the 1870s to the 1950s. Nicknamed Quartzopolis and the Town of Light, Reefton was the booming commercial centre of quartz reef gold mining and the first place in the southern hemisphere to supply electric street lighting. Its economy is based on tourism, forestry, coal mining, and farming.

Recently there has been a big investment in the mining of Gold and other precious minerals in the area. For me this is a double-edged sword. It may be good for the economy and employment, however, I do like that the town as it is, a small character filled town.

There is a Trust that has dedicated many hours and much money into re-building the power station. It should be connected to the national grid sometime this year (2025) I believe.

Reefton is also home to “Little Biddy” Gin – distilled by Reefton Distillery – tours can be arranged.

Living in Reefton gives me access to many trails of varying degrees of difficulty, many within an hour’s drive of home.

• Alborns Walk
• Kirwins Track – The track is closed from the Tunnel Suspension Bridge.
• Lankey Creek Tram Track/Energetic Mine Trail
• Tawhai and Slab Hut Creek
• Larrys Creek Track

More information on these any other tracks in the area can be found of the Department of Conservation Website.

Reefton Walks Brochure – Courtesy of Department of Conservation

Along Alborns Walk

Along Kirwins Track

Lankey Creek Tram Track/Energetic Mine Trail

Tawhai and Slab Hut Creek

Larrys Creek Track

Tourist Information can be found at – Reefton Visitor Centre and the West Coast Tourist Centre Websites.