Gold-star comfort
Liz Carlson steps back in time to the gold rush era at Reefton’s Brewer’s Night Inn.
The West Coast has no shortage of charming hideaways and lovely little spots to get off the grid. As more well-known towns book up fast, we find ourselves casting our eyes further afield to up and coming spots. And nowhere ticks the box for delightful escapes quite like the old gold-mining town of Reefton.
Situated a few hours in between Nelson and Christchurch, Reefton is quiet, peaceful and lacks the abundance of tourists of other South Island towns. And with the opening of the Brewer’s Night Inn right in town, you can add an unforgettable place to stay to the list.
It was a typical warm, misty West Coast weather day when I drove to Reefton for a stay at the newly opened inn. Originally built in the 1870s by Stewart Monteith, it’s been lovingly restored to reflect the roots of Reefton.
A luxury, rustic cabin meets a Victorian inn, the open plan layout makes you want to curl up on the deep leather couch and never leave, which, in fact, is what happened to me.
It’s filled with thoughtful touches, from a deep concrete bath that could fit a family, to copper and wooden furnishings and a unique music room with piano, stereo and turntable. Owner Tim, a long-time animal rescue advocate, has made sure that furry friends are also welcome here.
If you can find it in yourself to step outside this cosy abode, you’ll find equally enthralling and enjoyable experiences around the little town of Reefton.
Named for the quartz reefs discovered here, Reefton’s claim to fame beyond mining is that it was the first town in New Zealand to be lit up by electricity. It’s hard to fathom how big the ‘Town of Light’ once was.
By the late 19th century it was booming, with thousands of fortune hunters. The Victorian storefronts remain to this day, with new spots opening up all the time.
Reefton really picked up pace back in 2017 when locals managed to raise more than a million dollars in equity to open Reefton Distilling Co., which offers awardwinning gin distilled with local botanicals. You can also visit its cellar door and join in on tours.
From the comfort of the couch, you can peer up into the misty, wooded hills and mountains surrounding Reefton. I think the West Coast is more beautiful in the rain, though I’ve definitely passed more than one hot summer day lounging by the rivers in Lewis Pass.
There are plenty of tracks and trails around the area, often quiet and peaceful without many tourists. Reefton is a Tohu Whenua heritage site, recognised as a place of rich stories that have helped shape the New Zealand we know today.
Tucked alongside the beautiful Inangahua River, the Paparoa Range and the Victoria Forest Park (the largest of its kind in New Zealand), you are surrounded by nature. Combined with old gold-mining relics and historical sites, it makes exploring the bush here even more exciting. Further afield, you can visit Maruia Hot Springs for the day or head to some of the old gold-mining ghost towns, like Waiuta.
A stay at the Brewer’s Night Inn will definitely be unforgettable. Whether you use the stay as a place to recharge your batteries in a beautiful place or as a base to explore one of the wildest corners of the West Coast, the inn is nothing but welcoming.
Sleeping two plus any fur babies, it costs around $300 a night and is close to all of the attractions in Reefton. You can easily walk to town, where there is a supermarket in which you can pick up anything you need to whip up your own meals.
The gigantic tub is a highlight, along with the wildflower garden right outside the bedroom, where you can open the double doors to bring an intimate outdoor scene inside.