Denniston – Tohu Whenua

Denniston, a once-booming coal mining town, now stands as a haunting and inspiring reminder of the past, offering a unique blend of history, adventure, and natural beauty.

A Feat of Engineering: The “Eighth Wonder”

Rocky ground, weeks-long fog, and an alpine-like environment made Denniston a tough ask for the people who lived here. However, the allure and need for Denniston’s high-quality coal forged a community that made the most of their isolation high up in the West Coast mountains. A sense of fortitude and reliance on each other was the only way to survive in this stunning coal mining landscape.

Most Denniston visits begin with a stop at the marvel of engineering known as the Denniston Incline. Operating between 1880 and 1967, this gravity-powered wonder was key in transporting coal off the plateau and down a ridiculously steep railway. It descended 548 meters over a 1.6-kilometre distance, sometimes at a 1:1.3 gradient. Nicknamed the “eighth wonder of the world,” the incline’s remnants still stand today. The Denniston plateau workings exported some 13 million tonnes of coal between 1879 and the closure of the incline. The sight of the coal wagons descending at a heart-stopping angle is recreated at the nearby Museum of Kawatiri in Westport!

Denniston wasn’t just about coal production; it was a whole community. 1400 people living on a cold, remote plateau with fog rolling in. You can still explore the remnants of the township, including the schoolhouse, and learn about the miners’ families at the Denniston Experience museum. Despite the harsh conditions, Denniston boasted a vibrant social scene with brass bands and bowling greens. When conditions were right, even ice skating was a popular pastime.

There are plenty of options for the fit and eager to conquer, such as the Denniston Bridle Track, the very path miners used to access the town before the road was built. Shorter walking tracks exist, offering stunning coastal views and taking in remnants of the mining era. Keep your ears out for native birdsong and eyes peeled for the unique flora reclaiming the land. For the high-octane enthusiast, a network of mountain bike trails awaits. Denniston is a short drive from Westport, making it a perfect day trip for heritage enthusiasts and families to explore.

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