Denniston walking tracks

Denniston is steeped in coal mining history. You can follow the same tracks that residents and miners did over a hundred years ago and explore the many relics still there.

Interpretation panels bring to life the history of Denniston.

Brakehead Walk

Time: 40 min loop
Distance: 1.1 km

Starting at the Brakehead, this 40 minute walk leads past 'The camp' Denniston's first settlement, and on to the Banbury Arch viewpoint, returning via the historic mine workshop site. Many relics from Denniston's past can be seen on this walk.

Town Walk

Time: 40 min return
Distance:  1.3 km

Starting at the 'school site' by the Friends of the Hill Museum, this 40 minute walk takes you through the old streets of Denniston township. Passing by the bowling green and beside old residential sections, brick chimneys are still evident in various stages of decay. The walk crosses the main highway and runs alongside the old Denniston-Burnetts Face rope road, before emerging again at the 'school site'.

Coalbrookdale Walk

Time: 1 hr return
Distance: 2 km

A good shingle road behind Denniston (still used by coal trucks) leads to the start of the walkway. This follows part of a roperoad that carried coal from the mines to the top of the Denniston Incline. Relics include tunnels, foundations, a haulage winch and the country's best remaining example of a mine fanhouse.

Denniston is 18 km northeast of Westport. From Westport, follow SH67 north for 15 km. Turn right at Waimangaroa onto the road to Denniston. 

Safety is your responsibility. Weather conditions at Denniston can be changeable. Ensure you have suitable warm, water proof clothing and suitable footwear.

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.