How to visit a coal mine for free: Brunner Mine Site, West Coast
Brunner Mine Site, Greymouth: The perfect FREE Road Trip Stop
A free historical site to explore, right on the main road with no detours? We said yes to that! It’s got to be one of the best free things a family can do on the West Coast. The Brunner mine site is located on the road between Greymouth and Lake Brunner. I heard about this place in passing, but when we saw the huge bridge, we knew we had to stop and have a look.
Originally we thought we would just have lunch and look over the site and the bridge, but knowing you could walk around the old historic buildings and look at the memorial of the mining disaster here, we actually spent an hour looking around.
Brunner Mine Disaster
The Brunner Mine was a coal mine back in the late 1800’s and at its peak employed over 300 men and boys. This site is particularly famous for the tragic events of 1896 where 65 men were killed in an explosion. It is New Zealand’s greatest workplace disaster and there is a memorial and stories of these brave workers and families at the mine site today.
Exploring the Brunner Mine Site
We had lunch on the South side (SH7), at the picnic table, then wandered down towards the bridge. There are public toilets at the bottom of this hill, before you cross the bridge to the main mine site. The boys loved looking at the old railway track and huge mining car that still exists there.
The bridge has a great view over the Grey river. There are billboards around the site to explain all the old buildings, so a great wee history lesson. Its great the boys have a wee understanding now about how mining works and where things come from. I always like opportunities for them to learn something new.
We do a lot of free activities, because often we find that it is the outdoor activities that we love best anyway. But its was really great to find another free family attraction that was a bit different, so if you are in the area, definitely put it on your list.
Other activities near the Brunner Mine site
- Swimming at Lake Brunner
- Woods Creek Walk
- Coal Creek Falls: Easy 1 hour return waterfall walk near Greymouth
- Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki
- Truman Track, Punakaiki: easy 15 minute walk one way to a hidden beach
- Punakaiki Cavern: Great cave to explore on the roadside
Jennifer
Founder of Backyard Travel Family
Jen is a super organiser when it comes to travel. Having travelled extensively in Europe and Africa, has lived in London and the USA and holidayed in many parts of Asia, she is not a newbie to the travel space
Jen has three young children, 5 and under and travels around New Zealand with them.
what you need to know
Travel
- 12 minutes from Greymouth
- 22 minutes from Moana (Lake Brunner)
- 1 hr 15 minutes from Arthurs Pass Village
Look out for the huge bridge crossing the Grey River, you can't miss it.
The trail
- Concrete and gravel
- A few stairs but manageable with a stroller
Suitable for kids?
- Babies: Strollers can be used
- Easy walk and look around for all children. Not a large site. Can follow the walk or cut between the ruins.
Facilities
- Toilets on the south side of the river (near the coal cart)
- Picnic Table on the southside near the look out and information boards
What to bring
- Umbrella if its raining.
- Nothing else required
Food options
- Greymouth is 10 minutes away for all supermarket/cafe/restaurant options.
What the critics thought
