Atarau: Memorial Track and Gold-Mining History

Around Atarau, striking landscapes meet the history of mining. The Pike29 Memorial Track is a place of remembrance for the men who lost their lives in the Pike River Mine disaster. The explosion at Pike River Mine occurred on 19 November 2010 and claimed the lives of 29 workers. The 11.6-kilometre track connects the Paparoa Track with the site of the former mine and tells the story of the mine and the lessons learned from the disaster.

The Pike29 Memorial Track: Remembrance and Mountain Landscapes

The Pike29 Memorial Track is designated for both hikers and mountain bikers. Along the track, low alpine shrubs give way to low, weather-shaped alpine forest. The steep climb gains about 800 metres in elevation on the way to the heights. From the ridgeline, there are views into Pike Valley, north to the mine’s ventilation shaft and south across forested valleys. Both the landscape and remembrance are part of this track’s character.

The one-way distance from the Pike29 Memorial Carpark to the viewpoint at the ventilation shaft is 8.4 kilometres. It is estimated to take 3.5 to 4 hours on foot; 2 to 3 hours is indicated by mountain bike. A different duration applies to the walk from the carpark to the Twin Bridges: the return trip takes 10 to 15 minutes. When planning your days outdoors, these estimates clearly distinguish a longer outing from a short section of track.

Practical information for Pike29

At the end of the road by the Pike29 Memorial Track, the parking and turning area is small. Buses and long motorhomes are therefore not recommended. The Pike River Mine portal is currently closed to the public while infrastructure required for safe public access is being built. This restriction applies to the portal; it should be distinguished from the Memorial Track. Check the latest notices from the Department of Conservation before your trip.

Forest and gold-mining history on the Moonlight Pack Track

Another walk in the area passes through native beech forest on the West Coast: the Moonlight Pack Track is considered an easy day walk and offers a glimpse into the area’s gold-mining history. Along the track, you can see the signposted site of Meechams Historic Hut and walls made from stacked stones at former gold workings. The route also passes the historic hut sites of Meechams, Passenis and Meikles. These traces bring the history of mining to life in the landscape, while the walk has a different character from the memorial track at Pike29.

Access to the Moonlight Pack Track turns off Atarau Road onto Moonlight Valley Road, 9 kilometres north of the turnoff to Blackball. The gravel road is narrow. Foot access to Moonlight Creek is available via Moonlight Road or the adjacent Moonlight Ecological Area; the creek can also be reached from Atarau Road. Access to the Roaring Meg area is more difficult and requires walking through adjacent protected land.

Conservation around Atarau

Nearby Atarau Sanctuary is a 12-hectare kiwi breeding facility. The Paparoa Wildlife Trust established it in January 2010; it is protected by a predator-proof fence with a circumference of 1.6 kilometres. Almost 40 young roroa have been released into the wild through the Trust’s programme. This figure refers to the Trust’s programme. Every year in February, the Trust holds an open day at the kiwi breeding facility. The open days provide opportunities for information-sharing and education. Check the Trust’s latest announcements before you travel.

Atarau and other natural highlights in the Grey District

The wider landscape of the Grey District also includes Lake Brunner and Moana. There, abundant birdlife, wetlands and rainforest ecosystems shape the natural environment. When planning, you can distinguish a local focus around Atarau—memorial track, forest and gold-mining history—from other nature experiences in the Grey District. The holiday rental that suits you will also depend on which of these travel experiences you want to make the focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Moana, Runanga, Rapahoe.

Back to the main travel overview: Grey District.