Brakehead Walk

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Marios Gavalas

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Westport, West Coast

Camping near Westport

Photos

Marios Gavalas

The top of the infamous incline

Marios Gavalas

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Information

1.1 km return | 40 minutes return

‘Damn Denniston, Damn the track, Damn the way both there and back, Damn the wind and damn the weather, God damn Denniston altogether’. So the poem goes. A typical story of grit, hardship and the Herculean efforts of settlers to eke the resources in a harsh environment. Comprehensively restored and lavishly illustrated with information boards, the Denniston area throws your imagination back to the coal mining days.

Walking Track

Access

From Westport follow SH67 north to Waimangaroa then head right, following signposts to Denniston Coal mining Historic Area. The steep winding Denniston Road climbs for 7 km to a junction. Head left to the Brakehead Carpark with toilets and lavish interpretation panels.

Track

This track has been thoughtfully and thoroughly restored by DoC and local community group, Friends of the Hill, to provide a comprehensive overview of the old coal mining days. At Brakehead carpark is a track map for the Brakehead Walk, with signs at bollards to follow the restored relics of the incline and its associated infrastructure.

Geology

Rich seams of coal were discovered in the late 1800s and worked between 1879 and 1967. Nearby Stockton is still mooted for mining. Situated on an elevated plateau, way above the West Coast, and buffeted by the moist winds perpetually disgorging precipitation in all forms, the living conditions for miners and their families were, to put it mildly - difficult.

European History

The town of Denniston was isolated, tracks were rough and most goods came in and out via the incline. This feat of engineering incorporated two sections with very steep gradients and fell 510 metres over 1.7 km. The self-acting rail system allowed laden coal carts to descent, while transporting empty carts back to the top. It was powered by gravity. Fully laden 12 ton carts accelerated to speeds of 80km per hour and sped down the rails to the head at Waimangaroa. Water arrested the piston action, but boiled with the friction and had to be replaced at each stroke. The system was not fail safe and occasional runaways would cause mayhem further down the line. People died. Over its lifespan, the incline transported over 12.6 million tonnes of coal.

Details

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC West Coast

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Westport

Categories

Walking
Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.7368317009004

171.796395683289

Latitude
-41.7368317009004
Longitude
171.796395683289

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	Easy walk Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy walk	Track Difficulty Considering the track's terrain, safety, facilities - how hard is this walk to complete? Easy 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	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Track Category	Easy access short walk DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Easy access short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes. Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required.	DOC Track Category What type of category does this walking track fall into (as defined by the NZ Department of Conservation)? Easy access short walk Easy walking for up to an hour. Track is well formed, with an even surface. Few or no steps or slopes. Suitable for people of all abilities and fitness. Stream and river crossings are bridged. Walking shoes required.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
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	Some people Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either.	Crowd Factor How crowded is this place usually? Some people This place usually draws a average amount of people. You won’t have difficulties to move along, but you won’t have this place to yourself, either.
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.