Nature and conservation
Flora and fauna
The Croesus and Moonlight tracks traverse a range of vegetation types that reflect changes in altitude and proximity to the coast or to river valleys.
Native birds range from common forest birds to rarer species including kaka, falcon, blue duck/whio, fern bird, and great spotted kiwi/roroa.
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Introduced deer, goats and possums may be seen in the forest and out on the tops.
Geology
The Southern Paparoa Range mainly consists of sedimentary rocks, formed on ancient sea beds and later thrust up by tectonic forces. Hard mudstone dominates, but some limestone, sandstone, conglomerates and coal seams may be found, along with occasional quartz outcrops.
The Paparoa Wildlife Trust
The Paparoa Wildlife Trust monitors great spotted kiwi/roroa (Apteryx haastii) and blue duck/whio (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) in the Croesus/ Moonlight area. These birds have been in dramatic decline in this area and the Trust aims to reverse this trend.
The project now has a total of 220 stoat traps in the Paparoas, spanning some 22km, that are serviced by members of the Trust on a regular basis.
History and culture
Pack tracks
In the early days of European settlement, tracks known as 'pack tracks' or 'bridle paths' were built to open up the back blocks for mining, farming, tourism and other commerce. Horses were commonly used to access timber and mining sites, as well as transporting goods and equipment throughout the country.
Stonework cuttings and rockwork were skilfully built using various traditional building techniques on the tracks, many of which are still used today. The Croesus Track, built between 1880 and 1899, is one of the best surviving examples of a pack track in New Zealand.
Moonlight goldfield
The Moonlight goldfield was one of the richest alluvial strikes on the West Coast and was famous for producing large nuggets. Stone heaps and evidence of water channels are obvious alongside the Moonlight walking track only a few minutes from the car park.
George Moonlight proved to be an excellent gold prospector, and his name was given to the area along with several other places throughout New Zealand. The Anderson's flat area was named after the Anderson family, one of a number of families that made a good living near the flat where the Moonlight Pack Track begins.
Andrew Gordon at his hut in Moonlight Goldfield.
Image drawn by Tas Turner of Andersons Flat as it was in the early 1900s
The Croesus and Moonlight area was known for both quartz and alluvial gold mining and pack tracks were established to facilitate access to the gold mining areas.
Look out for relics such as:
- 19th century alluvial workings along the main Croesus Track
- impressieve quartz mining remains at the Garden Gully Battery site (on a short side track off Croeus Track)
- remains of the old aerial ropeway that transported quartz from the mountain down into Blackball Creek on Croesus Knob
Historic huts
Get a taste of what life was like for miners by visiting the historic Garden Gully Hut, the last of five huts built in Garden Gully in the 1930s. Or spend the night in the historic Croesus Top Hut, a basic hut on the Moonlight/Croesus Route.
Getting there
The Southern Paparoa Ranges are north of Greymouth and can be accessed via:
- Barrytown (20 min) - drive north of Greymouth on SH6 until you reach Barrytown.
- Blackball (15 min) - Drive north of Greymouth on SH6 and turn right onto Taylorville Road. Go through Tayorville township. Turn left onto Taylorville-Blackball Road. Turn left onto Main Road heading into the Blackball township.
- Moonlight (25 min) - Drive north of Greymouth on SH6 and turn right onto Taylorville Road. Go through Taylorville township. Turn left onto Taylorville-Blackball Road. Continue onto Atarau road and go straight onto Moonlight Road until Andersons Flat.
Know before you go
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.
Weather
The Croesus/Moonlight area is within the Paparoa Ranges. Sudden weather changes are the norm and snow is possible at any time of the year. Rain can quickly make even small streams treacherous to cross. Even on fine days, mist can rise to cloud on the mountain tops making navigation difficult.
For track conditions, maps, weather forecasts and more information on the area contact the Māwhera / Greymouth DOC Office.
What to bring
If walking or riding any of the tracks or routes in the area you are advised to carry:
- K31 topographical map and compass
- sleeping bag
- cooking utensils
- portable stove and fuel
- sufficient food
- basic first aid kit
- raincoat and warm clothing including gloves and a hat
- insect repellent