Image: Shellie Evans | ©
Croesus Battery
Croesus Battery

Located in Lyell area and Westport area in the West Coast region

Long after its gold mines closed and the last hotel burned down, Lyell retains many reminders of a rich past which can be seen while exploring the surrounding area.

From the junction, look out for a reef of "hungry" (non-auriferous) quartz which appears in the track side cutting.  From there it is 600 m to a point overlooking the old battery, reached via a track and steps.  Also on the creekside site is a berdan dish, which revolved to crush quartz using heavy steel balls, and relics of an unusual turbine which drove all the machinery.

The track begins at the Lyell Conservation campsite near the former Lyell town site, 15 km north east from Inangahua Junction and 35 km south from Murchison on State Highway 6 in the Upper Buller Gorge.

Remain on the main tracks. Decades of prospecting and mining have made the countryside unsafe with deep shafts concealed in the undergrowth. Suitable footwear and clothing is recommended along with insect repellant when lingering at the interpretative panels along the way.

Lyell retains many reminders of a rich past which can be seen while walking up to the Croesus Battery and around the cemetery.

Protect this heritage site and leave artifacts where you find them to allow future generations to experience what life was like for those hardy pioneers.