Bucket Dredge Walk

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Marios Gavalas

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Nau mai, haere mai

I'm Marios, delivering the best of Aotearoa's nature walks to your device.

I've personally walked hundreds of New Zealand's tracks and spent months in libraries uncovering interesting information on New Zealand/Aotearoa. And you'll find a slice of that research on this page - enjoy!

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Fox Glacier, West Coast

Camping near Fox Glacier

Information

1.6 km return | 30 minutes return

This rusting hulk was a Gargantuan machine. And in typical human fashion, when it no longer served its purpose, it was just discarded on site. Makes for an interesting walk today.

Walking Track

Access

At the northern end of Fox township turn into Cook Flat Road. Continue past the Lake Matheson turnoff, take the sharp right hander and pass the Peak View Lookout.

From here and for the next 12 km to the coast the road is narrow, winding and unsealed. Not suited to larger campervans. All walks start from the road end carpark where there are toilets and a campground.

Track

The grassy track cuts through gorse with occasional feral sheep grazing the track edges. A short loop encircles the remains.

European History

From 1932 to 1945, renewed optimism convinced investors to move a bucket dredge onto the site of the old workings. Timber was hewn on site and the metal brought down the Cook River, around the point and then transported on horse-drawn wagons. Power was derived from a hydro-electric plant with the head at Lake Gault.

The sands contained low levels of the uranium, but too low to be of economic use. As close as New Zealand has got to being non-nuclear free - if you discount the odd sanctioned visit from US Naval ships.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC West Coast

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Fox Glacier

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-43.4167543844113

169.821259880066

Latitude
-43.4167543844113
Longitude
169.821259880066

Feature	Value	Info
Track Length	1km to 3km Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km	Track Length What is the physical length of this track? 1km to 3km
Track Duration	30 mins to 1 hour Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour	Track Duration How long does it take to walk this track on average? 30 mins to 1 hour
Track Difficulty	Easiest walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easiest walk
Payment Requirement	Free access/participation Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.	Payment Requirement Is there a cost for this experience or is it free? Free access/participation The experience costs no money to access or take part in.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
Track Accommodation	Campsite Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight.	Track Accommodation What type of accommodation is available on this walking track? Campsite At least one campsite is available on this track to stay at overnight.
Disabled Access	No disabled access Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.	Disabled Access Does this location provide disabled access? No disabled access This location does not provide access for wheelchairs.
Crowd Factor	Lesser Known Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Lesser Known Usually has less people visiting
Track Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Track Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this walking track? DOC Managed This track is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.