Historic Croesus Track

The Croesus Track is one of the best surviving examples of a pack track in New Zealand. 

In the early days of European settlement tracks known as ‘pack tracks’, ‘bridle paths’ or ‘bullock roads’ were built to open up the back blocks for mining, farming, tourism and other commerce. Horses and bullocks were commonly used to access timber and mining sites, as well as transporting goods and equipment throughout the country. Many of the roads we use today started life as one of these early tracks.

Gold mining in the Grey Valley

View of Paparoa Range from Croesus Knob

When gold was found at Blackball Creek in 1864, miners formed a rough track up the creek, through what was known as ‘some of the roughest country ever travelled by man’ in the hopes of striking it rich.

Over 18 years from 1881 to 1899, this early track was slowly replaced by a pack track, now known as the Croesus track. Access was firstly improved to take miners to the Clarke Creek gold diggings, then through to the Blackball Creek forks, finally taking the track right through to miners’ gold claims in the Paparoa ranges.

Much of the stonework has remained intact
thanks to the fine craftmanship

Skilled craftmanship

The track was skilfully built, using various traditional building techniques such as stonework and cuttings. It required ingenious engineering solutions to tackle problems created by the steep slopes and rugged country.

Today the track survives in much of its original condition thanks to the skilled craftsmanship of early pioneers and the stable nature of the terrain.

Historic relics

Garden Gully Battery

Today the 2 day trail is enjoyed by trampers and mountain bikers who traverse the rugged bush clad terrain to open tops, and pass relics such as the 19th century alluvial workings and the impressive quartz mining remains at the Garden Gully Battery site. They can admire the fine workmanship used to build the cuttings, embankments and stonework which are displayed along the track.

Visitors can also experience what life was like for miners by staying in historic Croesus Top Hut, or by visiting the Garden Gully Hut.

Exceptional panoramas 

Croesus track is one of the few pack tracks on the West Coast that ascends over 1000m above sea level, with its high points providing excellent views of the Southern Alps and the sea.

Getting there

From Blackball take Roa Rd to Roa. A signpost pointing right indicates the shingle road to the Smoke House car park where the track begins.