Atarau: Nature, Remembrance and Kiwi Conservation

In the area around Atarau, remembrance, forest and gold-mining history, and kiwi conservation offer different points of interest to consider when planning your trip. The Pike29 Memorial Track passes through alpine vegetation to views of Pike Valley and the ventilation shaft of the Pike River Mine. The Moonlight Pack Track combines native beech forest with historic traces of gold mining. Atarau Sanctuary is a kiwi breeding facility run by the Paparoa Wildlife Trust. When planning, you can weigh up whether a walk, the history of the area, or a possible visit to the Trust should be your main focus.

Remembrance and Landscape on the Pike29 Memorial Track

The 11.6 km Pike29 Memorial Track connects the Paparoa Track with the site of the former Pike River Mine. As a place of remembrance, it honours the men who lost their lives in the disaster; the track also tells the story of the mine and the lessons learned from the tragedy. The mine explosion occurred on 19 November 2010 and claimed the lives of 29 workers.

The one-way distance from the Pike29 Memorial Carpark to the viewpoint at the ventilation shaft is 8.4 km. The walk takes an estimated 3.5 to 4 hours, while mountain biking takes 2 to 3 hours. Walkers and mountain bikers share the Pike29 Memorial Track. It climbs steeply for about 800 metres in elevation to the high country; this information helps you distinguish between the two modes of travel and allow for the time required when planning your day.

From the ridge, views open out over Pike Valley, north towards the ventilation shaft, and south across forested valleys. The landscape along the track alternates between low alpine shrubs and low, weather-shaped alpine forest. The return walk from the Pike29 Memorial Carpark to Twin Bridges takes 10 to 15 minutes. The car park and turning area at the end of the road are small, so buses and long motorhomes are not recommended.

The Pike River Mine portal is currently closed to the public while infrastructure needed for safe public access is being built. This closure applies to the portal, not the Memorial Track. Check the Department of Conservation’s current notices before your trip.

Beech Forest and Gold-Mining History on the Moonlight Pack Track

The Moonlight Pack Track is considered an easy day walk through native beech forest on the West Coast and offers insights into the area’s gold-mining history. Along the track, you can see the signposted site of Meechams Historic Hut and the walls of former gold workings. The track also passes the historic hut sites of Meechams, Passenis and Meikles.

The turnoff to Moonlight Valley Road is on Atarau Road, 9 km north of the turnoff to Blackball. The gravel road is considered narrow. For current planning, the Department of Conservation’s advice on local conditions is a useful guide.

Kiwi Breeding and Other Nature Access

The Paparoa Wildlife Trust established Atarau Sanctuary in January 2010 as a 12-hectare kiwi breeding facility. A 1.6 km predator-proof fence protects the area. Almost 40 young roroa have been released back into the wild through the Paparoa Wildlife Trust’s programme.

The Trust holds annual open days for the community, focused on engagement and education. An open day at the kiwi breeding facility is held every February. Check the Trust’s current announcements before your trip if you are planning a visit.

Access to Moonlight Creek and the Roaring Meg area also differs: Moonlight Creek can be reached from Atarau Road; on foot, access is via Moonlight Road or the adjacent Moonlight Ecological Area. Access to the Roaring Meg area is more difficult and requires walking through adjacent protected land.

When choosing where to stay, it helps to decide on your main focus in advance: the Pike29 Memorial Track, the beech forest and its historic traces, or a visit to the kiwi breeding facility each involve different planning considerations. Search for accommodation in Atarau based on the experiences you actually plan to include.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Runanga, Moana, Rapahoe.

Return to the main travel overview: Grey District.