State Highway 67 (Into the Ngakawau Gorge)
This is one of the top five one day walks in the South Island. It combines stunning scenery with a fascinating insight into early timber and coalmining history. The route follows the Charming Creek Coal Company's railway line. (The mine was closed in 1986) . Allow about 5 hours return for the full return trip but you don't have to go the full distance.
Robin Mills (r0b1nm1lls@xtra.co.nz) comments:
The Ngakawau River gorge is spectacular but unfortunately so is the pollution of the Ngakawau River. I walked the track for the first time on Jan 16 2007 and was horrified to see the water thick with coal fines and lumps of white foam which had come from the Stockton Mine. Other rivers in the area were clear so rain could not be blamed. The appearance of the river spoilt the walk. Looking at various websites I see that Solid Energy claimed to have cleaned up their act. This does not appear to be the case.
Kitty Brown ( cchomestay@xtra.co.nz) says:
This walkway is fantastic, I didnt notice any pollution! All I could see was amazing scenery, an enormous waterfall and very interesting natural sulphur outlets. The river is brown like many on the westcoast because of the sheer amount of nutrients and tannins which leach from the
surrounding rain forest!
Also must mention a wonderful place to stop for lunch or coffee at the start or finish of you walk. The Charming Creek Tavern which has a lovely cafe with an even lovlier proprieter who bakes and cooks up delicious homemade kiwiana cuisine on a daily basis!
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Westport Walks
