Historic Reefton
Gold. Lights. Action.
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.
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The story of Quartzopolis
On the Inangahua River
Reefton sits alongsdie the Inangahua River which flows west from from Kā Tiritiri-o-te-moana (the Southern Alps) into the Kawatiri (Buller River). The name Inangahua refers to the whitebait that thrived in this river.
For Ngāi Tahu, rivers such as the Inangahua hold significance as mahinga kai (food-gathering sites).
The discovery of gold
The first gold-bearing quartz reefs near Reefton were discovered in 1870, and for the next eight decades gold was extracted from no less than 59 mines in the surrounding area. With mining came technology and innovation. In 1886 Walter Prince, an English electrical engineer, installed a 1-kilowatt electrical plant to light Dawson’s Hotel.
New Zealand's first public hydroelectric supply
By 1888 a hydroelectric plant was installed on the Inangahua to provide lighting in Reefton, making it the first town in the southern hemisphere to be lit by electricity, even ahead of London and New York.
Things to do in Reefton
The gateway in and out of the West Coast to the north, Reefton has retained much of its authentic charm.
The charm of Broadway
Feel like you’ve stepped into a Wild West movie set as you stroll down Broadway with its restored buildings that now house an eclectic mix of galleries, gift shops, cafés, pubs and second hand shops.
Interactive experiences
Mine for gold with the Bearded Miners, do a boutique gin tasting, or stop for a yarn with one of the many friendly locals.
History walk
A self-guided history walk around town takes in the original School of Mines, old banks, churches, Oddfellows Hall, courthouse, and the Bottled Lightning Power House on the other side of the Inangahua River.
Make a night of it
Stay the night to see Broadway lit by heritage-style lamps and enjoy a hearty pub meal alongside the locals.
Nearby
Only a few minutes drive from Reefton visitors can explore Blacks Point museum, fish for trout, and hike or mountain bike through the historic goldfields of Victoria Forest Park.
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