The Denniston Mine

“A place either loved or hated, but always with passion”.

Just north of Westport, on a cloud-stroking plateau, is what was once New Zealand's largest coal mine, Denniston. While workers had one of the region's most incredible views (when it wasn't blisteringly cold with a howling wind), they also endured some of the industry's harshest conditions.

The Denniston Incline, by which coal was transported off the plateau, was known as the ‘eighth wonder of the world'. Little wonder as coal wagons descended 510m at up to 80km per hour on their way to Conns Creek railhead and then on to the port. Though the incline closed in 1967, part of the mine was reopened as a tourist experience in 2011 then closed again due to health and safety regulation changes following the 2010 Pike River disaster in which 29 men lost their lives in a coal mine near Greymouth.

Today it is possible to drive the 8km winding road in comfort and stand at the top of the perilous Denniston Incline thinking of how life must have been a dangerous struggle for the 1400 people who lived and worked here from 1879 to 1967. Such was the rugged terrain by which the town was reached, or left, many were too scared of the descent from the plateau to leave. Next to nothing remains of this solitary wall-less prison, but there are a number of walks and mountain bike tracks. In summer the schoolhouse opens as a small museum – ‘Friends of the Hill'.

The Denniston Plateau is 15km east of Westport (after turning off State Highway

67). Turn left at the top of Denniston Road to explore the incline, or right for the township and walks.

READ: The Denniston Rose by Jenny Pattrick, and its sequel Heart of Coal.