Gold Discovery Loop Walk, Waiuta Historic Reserve: 13 November 2021

 ...the origin of the mines at Waiuta...

There are a number of short and longer tracks around Waiuta and while I did not visit all of them I did manage to walk around the Town Walk and Gold Discovery Loop Walk. The Gold Discovery Loop Walk is around the original mine tunnels dug into the top of the quartz reef at Waiuta. 

Start of the Gold Discovery Loop Walk at Waiuta

The short track starts from near the public toilet on New Road...there is a carpark here where you can leave your car while exploring the local area. The walk is only 500 meters long and does a loop from the carpark past the old mine tunnels to the historic swimming pool. From here it heads back to Prohibition Road and the Information Kiosk. 

The carpark at the start of the Gold Discovery Loop Walk

The original site of the first mine tunnels at Waiuta

Just a word of caution...don't go walking off the main tracks...this is an old mining area and all old mining areas have grown over shafts, pits and holes you can fall into...

Fenced of ventilation shafts at the Gold Discovery Loop Walk

Four prospectors discovered the quartz reef on the 9th November 1905. This was the birthday of King Edward the VII hence the name. They dug several short tunnels into the surrounding hills and managed to locate the top of the rich gold bearing reef which under lays the whole town. This gave rise to gold mining in the Waiuta area and the much deeper Blackwater and Prohibition shafts. 

Plaque at the Birthday Mine on the Gold Discovery Loop Walk

The tunnel is fenced off (but not very well...) and you can see some distance into the original tunnel dug to the reef. There is also a plaque here with a bit of information about the prospectors who discovered the quartz reef. I have seen a YouTube video taken in this tunnel and it goes back into the hill for about 50 meters to the top of the quartz vein. 

Don't do this yourself...the tunnel is over 116 years old and will not be stable...it could easily collapse on you and that would be that...

The Birthday Mine shaft at Waiuta

From the Birthday Reef you continue along some boardwalk and up a small hill to the site of the historic Waiuta swimming pool. The track is easy to follow and well signposted so just follow the signs...

Gold Discovery Loop Walk...heading for the swimming pool

The Waiuta swimming pool was constructed in the mid 1930's and was just one of several community facilities the small town had to offer. It was in use from the 1930's to the 1990's after which it basically fell into disrepair. It was filled with water from a nearby stream so it was colored brown by tannins and was often murky.

Historic Swimming Pool at Waiuta

There is an information panel at the pool with some photos and information about when the pool was built...it is surprisingly big for such a remote location and must have been well loved by the local residents. There is a story on the information panel about how people would slip some eels into the pool for giggles and japes and watch the people exit post haste when they realised they were not alone...

Hilarious.....!!!

The Swimming Pool on the Gold Discovery Loop Walk

From the pool you head back down the track and take the right hand track which will eventually take you up to the Prohibition Road. We are heading for the Waiuta Information Kiosk built on the foundations of the old School House. There are some massive exotic trees along here which must have been planted when the town first started in the 1920's...

Gold Discovery Loop Walk...heading to Top Road

Along the way you pass two more tunnels dug into the hillsides where they were exploring for quartz. They are open to the public but be aware entry is at your own risk and make no mistake it is risky entering old mining tunnels. These tunnels go back into the hill for nearly 100 meters and once past the entrance you would be able to walk through them crouching down. 

You will need a good torch and be prepared to get dirty as the tunnel is not huge...

Another mine shaft on the Gold Discovery Loop Walk

There is an information panel near the end of the track with information about other tracks in the area including the Big River Track, Snowy Battery Walk, Kirwins Reward Track and some MTB rides around Reefton. Reefton is starting to turn into a cool outdoor activity center with more and more people visiting to explore the delights of Victoria Forest Park. 

Information about historic tracks around Reefton

Prohibition Road is the access road up to the remains of the Prohibition Mine shaft built on the top of a nearby hill. Prohibition Shaft operated from the 1940's to the mine closure in 1951 and eventually became the main mine access point. I will cover the trip up to Prohibition Road in another post so watch for that. 

Prohibition Road to the Prohibition Mine, Waiuta

I went over and visited the Waiuta Information Kiosk on the corner of Top Road and Prohibition Road. You would already have read about this in my last post about the walk around the old town so I will not go over the detail again. It was built on the old foundations of the Waiuta School house and has information panels and photos of the old town from the 1930's. 

Waiuta Information Kiosk on Top Road...

Panels in the Waiuta Information Kiosk...

Information about the Blackwater Mine shaft at Waiuta

Photo of Waiuta township in the late 1930's

Directly across the road is Tim Whites Cottage which was originally the Police station (with lockup!!!) from when the town had a resident polis presence. I imagine he had his work cut out with him as miners are not known for their pleasant manners and good behaviour. They would have been hard working and hard living blokes so I bet they got to visit the cells from time to time...

Tim Whites Cottage opposite the information kiosk, Waiuta

View to the slag heap at Blackwater Shaft, Waiuta

From the Information Kiosk you walk back along New Road to the carpark and the old Blackwater Mine shaft. This is a nice short track and it is interesting to have a look at the old tunnels and the swimming pool so consider a visit if you are in the area. 

Access: From Reefton head south for 21 kilometers along SH 7 towards Greymouth. Turn onto Waiuta Road at Hukarere and follow Waiuta Road to the historic mining town. the Gold Discovery Loop Track starts from the carpark next to the Blackwater Shaft. 

Hut Details: Waiuta Lodge: Serviced, 24 bunks, wood burner, electric lights/heating/cooking, water from aquifer, wood shed, toilet/shower block

Miscellaneous: On the DOC hut booking system, must be booked for overnight visit. Close to the historic mining town of Waiuta. The Waiuta Road is a winding, narrow gravel road take care at all times.