Charming Creek Walkway

Walking track

Time:  

6 hr

Distance:  

5.5 km

Getting there

There are two points of access to the walkway. The southern end is clearly signposted from the main highway at Ngakawau, 35 km north-east of Westport.  The northern end is through Seddonville and 10km along a gravel road to the walkway entrance at the abandoned Charming Creek mine site. The track is easily walked in either direction if transport arrangements can be made. Otherwise a return walk from either end is a great way to spend a day.

Description

From the Ngakawau walkway entrance there is an easy 30 minute walk to the bins along a siding used to shunt loads of timber and coal down to the Ngakawau railway.

Past the bins the track enters the Lower Ngakawau Gorge. Sections of the old wooden centre brake rail are reminders of the difficulty of controlling heavy trains on the steep grades.

In the steepest, most confined section of the gorge, the hardy daisy-like Celmisia morganii flowers from December to January. This is the only known habitat for this rare and protected species. A suspension bridge provides spectacular vistas up and down the gorge, and an unfolding view of the impressive Mangatini Falls, which is also visible from the track beyond the bridge.

A 50m tunnelleads to a section of track called The Verandah which offers spectacular views of the river and Upper Ngakawau Gorge. Sounds of white water thundering off the canyon walls add to the drama.

The track then leads to the river flats of Charming Creek and the site of Watson’s Mill.Steam boilers and other rusty relics can be found lying amongst the regenerating bush.

About 400 metres past a small suspension bridge spanning the main creek is the sulphur ‘Stink Hole’, seepage from a hole drilled during Government coal prospecting operations in 1910-12.

From Watson's mill follow the old railway tracks through old cutover and farm paddocks to Mumm's Mill site. The sawmill steam engine and other relics are under cover at the mill site, with trolleys and a steam log hauler nearby.

The track then leads onto the old Charming Creek mine entrance and carpark. The first feature seen is the fan that drew foul air from the the underground workings. Next is the bathhouse shell, followed by collapsed remains of old coal bins near the sealed mine mouth.

Plan and prepare

What to expect on a walking track:

• Easy to moderate walking from a few minutes to a day
• Track is mostly well formed, some sections may be steep, rough or muddy
• Suitable for people with low to moderate fitness and abilities
• Clearly sign posted. Stream and river crossings are bridged
• Walking shoes or light tramping/hiking boots required