Guidebook for Maruia
Parks & Nature
An easy almost flat walk well maintained
View the sluice box on the way
Have lunch in the hut
Watch the trout jumping in the lake from the hut
Short enough to tramp in one day but long enough to know you have been hiking
Lake Daniells
An easy almost flat walk well maintained
View the sluice box on the way
Have lunch in the hut
Watch the trout jumping in the lake from the hut
Short enough to tramp in one day but long enough to know you have been hiking
Lewis Pass
Mount Haast
A bit of a climb but worth it
Mount Mueller
Close to the junction .Can be climbed in one day
Lake Christabel
Best done in two days
Track not a DOC maintained one
Experienced trampers only
St James Walkway Car Park
Lewis Pass Road5 minutes into the walkway is a beautiful tarn
Everything Else
Immerse yourself in the ultimate outdoor experience at Maruia Hot Springs. Connect with nature as you sauna and bathe in mineral hot springs and take in the views of the river and surrounding mountains. Stay and indulge in the middle of this picturesque national reserve and explore the area on a number of hiking trails around the property.
Maruia Hot Springs
1513 State Hwy 7Immerse yourself in the ultimate outdoor experience at Maruia Hot Springs. Connect with nature as you sauna and bathe in mineral hot springs and take in the views of the river and surrounding mountains. Stay and indulge in the middle of this picturesque national reserve and explore the area on a number of hiking trails around the property.
Essentials
Reefton Supervalue
65 BroadwayHas all the food supplies needed .
Friendly staff
Has all the right food and bakery .
Friendly staff.
Building was a bank originally
Four Square Reefton
47 BroadwayHas all the right food and bakery .
Friendly staff.
Building was a bank originally
Arts & Culture
The museum is situated about 2km from Reefton in the heart of Blacks Point. The museum building is a piece of history in its own right and is one of many in the Reefton area to be lovingly maintained since pioneering times. The building, constructed of pit-sawn timber, was formerly the old Wesleyan Methodist Church and dates back to 1876.
Black's Point Museum
28 Franklyn Street The museum is situated about 2km from Reefton in the heart of Blacks Point. The museum building is a piece of history in its own right and is one of many in the Reefton area to be lovingly maintained since pioneering times. The building, constructed of pit-sawn timber, was formerly the old Wesleyan Methodist Church and dates back to 1876.
Inangahua Junction station
has loads of information on the Inangahua earthquake
Reefton i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
67-69 Broadwaylocal information and shop
Sightseeing
Reserva Cênica das Cataratas de Maruia
Take a trip back in time to the way we were
34 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Patrimonial Shantytown
Take a trip back in time to the way we were
You can't miss the miners hut on the main street. The visit is free but donations are accepted. The men who tell you about the history of the area are volunteers and very knowledgeable about the early mining days in Reefton. The recreated hut holds old tools and housewares. I grew up on the West Coast and I learned a lot. Reefton is a cool little town with interesting history. Worth a stop.
The Bearded Miners
37 Walsh StYou can't miss the miners hut on the main street. The visit is free but donations are accepted. The men who tell you about the history of the area are volunteers and very knowledgeable about the early mining days in Reefton. The recreated hut holds old tools and housewares. I grew up on the West Coast and I learned a lot. Reefton is a cool little town with interesting history. Worth a stop.
. VISIT THE OLD POWERHOUSE
On the subject of electricity, go to the powerhouse that made Reefton the fifth settlement in the world to distribute power to the public. The Old Powerhouse can be seen along the Bottled Lightning Powerhouse Walk (40-minute loop) and is easily accessible from town. Information boards at the the Old Powerhouse will give you more information about its history
Not only can you check out the original street lamps of the town still standing (although not in use), but the first light that was powered by electricity in 1888 on the street stills shines brightly on the Oddfellows Hall. Go see the light after dark to see a piece of history.
Location: Bridge Street, Reefton
Reefton Power Station
8 Rosstown Rd. VISIT THE OLD POWERHOUSE
On the subject of electricity, go to the powerhouse that made Reefton the fifth settlement in the world to distribute power to the public. The Old Powerhouse can be seen along the Bottled Lightning Powerhouse Walk (40-minute loop) and is easily accessible from town. Information boards at the the Old Powerhouse will give you more information about its history
Not only can you check out the original street lamps of the town still standing (although not in use), but the first light that was powered by electricity in 1888 on the street stills shines brightly on the Oddfellows Hall. Go see the light after dark to see a piece of history.
Location: Bridge Street, Reefton
The Natural Flames Experience
Drive up beautiful valley in our 4wd. Pass old oil wells and discover the area's mining history.
Cross a working deer farm & see this important industry; a chance to see a New Zealand farm from the inside!
Walk through rich beech bush with ancient mosses and native birds before stumbling across constantly burning flames, inches away from ferns, fuelled by natural gas seeping through tree roots.
Have tea & pancakes (with local honey) cooked over these enchanted flames.
The walk is one hour each way. The track is mostly level but fairly rough and unformed. Sturdy shoes recommended.
small groups. Tours (4 hours)Adult
Adult
$95.00
Child
$65.00
Murchison
The Natural Flames Experience
Drive up beautiful valley in our 4wd. Pass old oil wells and discover the area's mining history.
Cross a working deer farm & see this important industry; a chance to see a New Zealand farm from the inside!
Walk through rich beech bush with ancient mosses and native birds before stumbling across constantly burning flames, inches away from ferns, fuelled by natural gas seeping through tree roots.
Have tea & pancakes (with local honey) cooked over these enchanted flames.
The walk is one hour each way. The track is mostly level but fairly rough and unformed. Sturdy shoes recommended.
small groups. Tours (4 hours)Adult
Adult
$95.00
Child
$65.00
Entertainment & Activities
About Inland Adventures - Day Tours
Full day and multi day wilderness raft tours. Great for all ages! Up to class 3 so not too extreme, but still get your daily dose of whitewater action.Based out of the Town of First Light, Reefton, West Coast, South Island, NZ
Inland Adventures - Reefton
About Inland Adventures - Day Tours
Full day and multi day wilderness raft tours. Great for all ages! Up to class 3 so not too extreme, but still get your daily dose of whitewater action.Based out of the Town of First Light, Reefton, West Coast, South Island, NZ
TROUT FISHING IN 12 NEARBY RIVERS!
Fish the Maruia and surrounding rivers
There are 12 rivers and a lake to choose from with the Waitahu and Larry’s Creek being very popular. The Inangahua River flowing through Reefton is the easiest to access with a good population of trout. You could even go on a hiking mission to Lake Daniels, which is an easy three hour (one way) hike with a DOC hut at the end for overnight stays. Hire fishing gear from the Reefton Sports Centre. There are also a couple of guides in Reefton Info from i-site
Maruia River
TROUT FISHING IN 12 NEARBY RIVERS!
Fish the Maruia and surrounding rivers
There are 12 rivers and a lake to choose from with the Waitahu and Larry’s Creek being very popular. The Inangahua River flowing through Reefton is the easiest to access with a good population of trout. You could even go on a hiking mission to Lake Daniels, which is an easy three hour (one way) hike with a DOC hut at the end for overnight stays. Hire fishing gear from the Reefton Sports Centre. There are also a couple of guides in Reefton Info from i-site
Getting Around
MOUNTAIN BIKE THE LOOKOUT AND ZIGZAG TRACK (2H30MINS LOOP)
Of course, going to a lookout is nothing new in New Zealand, but when there’s the option to ride down a mountain bike track then that makes it all the better! The Lookout Track is a steady gradient up to a cellphone tower opening that just happens to have amazing views over Reefton and its surrounding mountains. Whether you come up here by foot or by bike, we suggest you make this the first thing you do in town to really give you perspective. From the Lookout follow the 4×4 tracks to the signposted Zigzag Track for a varied rocky and gravel descent back into Reefton town. Find out more at Mountain Biking in Reefton.
Soldiers-Big River Road
Soldiers-Big River RoadMOUNTAIN BIKE THE LOOKOUT AND ZIGZAG TRACK (2H30MINS LOOP)
Of course, going to a lookout is nothing new in New Zealand, but when there’s the option to ride down a mountain bike track then that makes it all the better! The Lookout Track is a steady gradient up to a cellphone tower opening that just happens to have amazing views over Reefton and its surrounding mountains. Whether you come up here by foot or by bike, we suggest you make this the first thing you do in town to really give you perspective. From the Lookout follow the 4×4 tracks to the signposted Zigzag Track for a varied rocky and gravel descent back into Reefton town. Find out more at Mountain Biking in Reefton.