Reefton

Just out of town on SH 69 towards Westport, the Reefton railway precinct retains its 19th Century railway station (1892) and the country’s only remaining single row two-stall steam engine shed (1892), both former Midland Railway Company buildings. The town’s wealth is reflected in the fact that Reefton was the first to switch on an electric street lighting system in the Southern Hemisphere. The town of light.

Choose whether you potter around Reefton exploring the local museum, the art galleries, the distillery, quirky second hand shops and soak up the atmosphere of heritage Reefton. The town lies alongside the white water Inangahua River and is surrounded by the Victoria Conservation Park which at 180,000ha is New Zealand’s largest.

• Fishing is either guided or self-guided. Within a 40 minute drive from Reefton there are twelve different river systems to choose from. The Inangahua River running along the back of town is easily accessible, it is a medium to large flowing river and has a good population of small to medium wild brown trout. North of Reefton the Waitahu is a low to medium flowing shallow river and Larry’s Creek is known for its trophy brown trout.
• For more information and inspiration check Reefton iSite for booking and guided tours. The visitor centre is located on Broadway, the main street it is a treasure trove of hard to find paper only local maps and booklets as well as staff who are enthusiastic about their town.