Grey River heritage parks
The parks are a joint project between Greymouth Heritage Trust and Grey District Council, designed to celebrate the towns natural, cultural and historic values. A collection of five integrated areas were developed:
- Coal River Heritage Park (river/port)
- Navigator (south breakwater)
- E Rua Moana & Cobden Lagoons
- Blaketown Beach Park
- Central Business District heritage precinct.
These areas were developed to:
- enhance the riverside environment;
- improve recreational facilities; and
- provide a heritage attraction for locals/visitors, the overarching theme will be "Our place Greymouth – Te Papa Mawheranui – Our people, past and prospects".
This theme celebrates our unique place in the story of New Zealand. Historically, the Greymouth port has been a significant trade and transport route, particularly for exports from the West Coast region. Early Maori and Pakeha used the river and lagoon environs for transportation and as a food source. It is still a significant operation port for the region (coal, aggregate exports & commercial/recreation fishing), major recreation facility, source of food, wildlife habitat and of spiritual significance for the Tangata Whenua.
Achievements so far:
- Complete restoration of the 1885 Harbour Board building.
- Landscaping of the abandoned port area.
- An interpretation building to house the stories.
- Landscaped car park for Coal River Heritage Park.
- Landscaped car park for Blaketown Beach promenade.
- Re-decking over 75% of O’Conner Heritage Passenger Wharf.
- Erecting an striking jarra drill bit sculpture.
- Recovery of Mawhera dredge buckets and historic Riverside railway station.
Priority is now given to the completion of Coal River Heritage Park located along the floodwall from the Railway Station to the Port loading area. This historical site will create an ongoing, all year round visitor destination and add to the vitality and sense of place of one of the oldest parts of Greymouth, as the town was built around this transport corridor. It will make a significant contribution to the heritage focus of the area and a draw card for the tourist industry. The significance of Grey River’s unique industrial, transport, commercial and maritime heritage will be made accessible to a larger number of people. The Coal River historic site will provide opportunities for an innovative presentation of Greymouth's past and an understanding of the ongoing social history of the region.
Coal River Park
The Great New Zealand Maritime Heritage Trail
An opportunity to visit a heritage & working port from several vantage points, Coal River Park interprets the district’s significant coal story, including the port and railway stories for you with O’Connor Heritage Wharf, the 1890s railway & ship loading Q wagons 1885 Harbour Board offices, shipping & port records Interpretation building with information panels, overlooking the waterfront Massive jarra drill bit sculptures representative of hand held mining tools Port over-view of historic wharves, breakwaters, cranes, shipwreck sites, modern coal shipping and fishing port Links to Brunner Gorge where coal was first mined (1864) and barged, and nearby History House museum with photos and records.
Location:
Mawhera & Richmond Quays (opposite train station), Gresson St (behind Harbour Board Building), & the river mouth Greymouth (via Blaketown)
Contact:
Port of Greymouth / Greymouth Heritage Trust, 28 Gresson St, Greymouth
Phone + 64 3 768 5666
Fax + 64 3 768 0646
History House Museum
Established in 1924 as the Grey County Council Chambers, it now houses an extensive museum and history collection of the Grey District. With superb photographic records and research facilities it is a great place to explore the stories that shaped the local and surrounding communities. Click here>> to go to the History House web page.
Links
Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries>>
Maritime New Zealand>>
NZ Ship & Marine Society NZ Inc>>
Department of Conservation>>