BLACKS POINT MUSUEM

This fascinating museum right in the heart of Blacks Point is housed in the old Wesleyan Methodist Church dating from 1876. The museum houses thousands of exhibits which offer an insight into the history of the Inangahua area and the early settlers who came to work the mines and make this area their home.

Peter Lawn or Graham Gollan, the museum's enthusiastic curators, are always willing to explain the history of the area to visitors, or to assist the search for information in the museum's extensive archive.

Directly behind the museum on the site of the former Golden Fleece Battery is a working 5-head quartz stamper battery. The battery is powered by a water driven pelton wheel recovered from the Golden Lead Mine site in Deep Creek.

From late October to mid April the museum is open:
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Sunday 9.00 am - 12.00 noon, 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm
Saturday 1.00 pm - 4.00 pm.

Museum entry is $5.00/adult; $3.00/children; $12.00/family; group concessions by arrangement

During the winter months, the museum is often open during school holidays or long weekends, or can be opened by arrangement by contacting:
- Peter Lawn, phone (03) 732 8835
- Graham Gollan, “Larch Cottage”, phone (03) 732 8446
- Reefton Visitor Centre, phone (03) 732 8391 or email reefton@i-SITE.org

THE BEARDED MINERS

Bringing history further to life are the Bearded Mining Company at the Miners Hut. This replica hut depicting 1860s style housing is made of native cedar slabs and set amongst native plantings right in the heart of town on Broadway.

Gavin, Peter and Geoff are 'in residence' all year, and welcome visitors in to learn how a miner lived in the 19th century when the promise of gold lured thousands of prospectors to the area.

You can sit in front of the fire, enjoy a cup of tea, watch pieces of iron and steel being shaped on the blacksmith forge or try your hand at gold panning where flakes of gold are 'guaranteed' to be found.

Enquiries to the Reefton Visitor Centre or Geoff on 03 732 8377, email longsleep@xtra.co.nz.

'Around the Globe' REEFTON GOLD MINE TOURS
Based at the Broadway Tearooms & Bakery, 31 Broadway, Reefton, New Zealand

Offering a unique opportunity to go right into Oceana Gold's open pit mine here in Reefton.  Climb your way from alongside the Inangahua River up 300m to the open pit gold mine, nestled nearby the Victoria Ranges in Victoria Conservation Park .  At the mine drive along the haul roads, at the lookout point, watch the 100 tonne trucks in the ever increasing pit, then climb up and through the processing plant to see the stages how gold is retrieved from the gold bearing ore unearthed in the pit.  En route to the mine we discover how gold was mined historically at the Blacks Point Museum's gold stamper battery.  Scheduled tours leave at 1.30pm Tuesday - Sunday from The Broadway Tearooms & Bakery on Reefton's main street, Broadway.  Allow 2 1/2 hours, $45/adult; $28/school aged child; $120 family (up to 2 adults and 3 children).  Bookings essential - group bookings welcomed.  

REEFTON SWIMMING POOL

The heated indoor swimming pool is located on The Strand behind Broadway.

REEFTON ROLLER PARK

A world class roller park was built by the community, suitable from learners to the advanced and has some great features including a clover bowl. This is open to skateboards, BMXs and rollerblades. The park is considered by many one of the best parks in New Zealand and is located on The Strand behind Broadway. There is normally plenty of room for visitors and some days you may have the whole place to yourself.

REEFTON MOVIE THEATRE

Located on the Corner of Shiel and Smith Streets, just off Broadway.

HISTORIC REEFTON TOURS
Based at the Broadway Tearooms & Bakery, 31 Broadway, Reefton, New Zealand

Phone: 64 27 442 4777]

Hear the stories, meet the locals and explore Reefton and nearby Blacks Point with our personalised town heritage walks.  Tours available from a short walk around the town (1 hour) to a 'morning of history' including entry into the Blacks Point Museum & Stamper, School of Mines, Reefton Visitor Centre and billy tea & scones with the Bearded Miners.  Tours run on demand and can be customised to meet your groups needs.

OTHER ACTIVITIES

There are many recreational and sporting amenities within the town itself that include a wonderful 12 hole golf course in a country setting, squash courts, indoor netball and basketball court, tennis courts and children's play parks. The Inangahua River in the heart of the town offers great trout fishing and summer time swimming alongside the park like setting of the Strand. See the "Annual Events Calender" page for the latest happenings within town.

Within the VIctoria Forest Park other recreational opportunities are possible, including tramping, fishing, mountain biking, 4WDing, gold panning and hunting.

PUBLICITY