Off the Beaten Track to... Nelson Creek
25km from Greymouth on the South Island’s West Coast, is Nelson Creek. A gold mining creek first established in 1895. Its fortunes have risen and fallen over the years; some areas were rich in gold, but historically findings were patchy. At the height of the gold rush over 1,200 miners were scattered throughout Try Again Terrace downstream from Nelson Creek.
One of the special attractions of Nelson Creek is for visitors to follow in the footsteps of the early gold miners and fossick for gold (no licence is required). In the past, ground sluicing was the main method of working the gold from trough-like hollows on the surface of the area’s sandstone. Nowadays, you are invited to bring a gold pan and follow the guidelines of gold fossicking below:
- Prospect only in the permitted area.
- Only drive your vehicles on tracks and roads open to the public.
- Do not remove or damage any shrubs or trees, and minimise damage to ground layer vegetation.
- Restore the ground as you found it. Backfill any holes you dig and replace any leaf litter as it was as best you can.
- Equipment for excavation on the land other than hand tools may not be used. Never use explosives.
- Don't disturb, destroy, interfere with or endanger an archaeological site or place of cultural significance.
Getting There
From Greymouth, follow SH 7 about 25 kilometres north to Ngahere. Turn right at the Ngahere-Kopara Road and carry on to the Nelson Creek Settlement. From the true right end of Nelson Creek swingbridge, follow the track left to the first creek you come to, follow up Gows Creek the Prices Creek about 400 metres by way of easy flats and creek-crossings until you reach a signpost indicating the start of the gold panning area. The area follows up Prices Creek bed for 1 kilometres.
Other Things to Do
- Short Walks - Callaghans Track (45 minutes return to look out point over ridge), Tailrace Walk (20 minutes through red and silver beech, old gold workings visible) and Colls Dam Walk (40 minutes with wheelchair access with look out over the historic Colls Dam).
- Camping – Peaceful camping in a beautiful ‘out of the way’ place.
- Exploring – Visit the Nelson Creek suspension bridge originally built in 1872.
- Gold fossicking – Also located at Claughesys Creek. Ask at Greymouth’s DOC office for details.
Be Prepared
- You should wear comfortable footwear and take wet weather clothes as the West Coast is known for sudden changes in weather. Wasps will be present throughout this area in summer.
- Take care off formed tracks as shafts and tunnels are scattered throughout the area.
More Information
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