Granity

Understand

Similar to many towns in the West Coast region, Granity was once a bustling coal and goldmining town. It has numerous interesting historical sites, and access to beautiful views and beaches. In the Granity area we include the communities of Birchfield (8 km to the south), Ngakawau and Hector (2.5 - 3.5 km to the north) and Millerton which sits 5 km above Granity on an impressive hill, a former coalmining site. The nearest i-SITE Information Centre is in Westport.

Westport i-SITE Information Visitor Centre, 123-25 Palmerston Street, ☏ +64 3-789 6658, [email protected]. (updated Sep 2020)

Getting there

By plane 1 Westport Airport (WSZ IATA). Sounds Air has one to three flights a day to Westport, Su–F from Wellington. Adult $199, child $179. (updated Oct 2019)

By car Granity is 31 km (25 minutes) north of Westport on State Highway 67.

See

There are many historical sites to see in the Granity area. Up the hill from Granity is Millerton and its Mine Heritage site, and a 90-minute escarpment walk to gorgeous views on a clear day. Down the old road from Millerton you can find the remains of a mining site. Coming down the hill from Millerton, watch for a quick left turn to a stunning waterwall and a dizzying view down its path. Further on from Millerton is the active mining site of Stockton. North of Granity on State Highway 67 is the village of Hector, another former mining town with an interesting history.

1 Northern Buller Museum (Granity Museum), 46-48 Back Rd, ☏ +64 3 782 8653. Tu, Th, F, Sa, Su 1PM - 3PM. A historic site with coke ovens from 1910, with exhibitions on mining and milling. donation. (updated Jan 2025) 2 The Lyric Theatre, 92 Torea Street. An example of an original historic building, built from native timbers in 1958. The venue is used for various events, and there are table tennis sessions each week on Mondays and Thursdays (updated Jan 2025) 3 Granity Public Library, Torea Street (State Highway 67 becomes Torea Street in Granity). A Category II historic place, the Granity Library is housed in a 1903 building. (updated Oct 2020) 4 Millerton information Centre. Some display boards in an old house in this former mining community. There are some mining remains nearby. (updated Oct 2020)

Do

1 Old Ghost Road. A 85 km (53 mi) walking and mountain biking track from Lyell to Seddonville. There are several hutas and campsites on the route. (updated Jan 2025)

Buy

Torea Gallery and Studios, Torea St, ☏ +64 22 516 4113. (updated Oct 2020)

Sleep

1 Ghost Lodge Granity, 89 Torea St, ☏ +64 21 267 5102. Lodge accommodates groups and individuals. Beach access. Free use of wetsuits, surf boards and boogie boards. Place to wash and store bikes if you've just come off the Old Ghost Road track. (updated Sep 2020)

Go next

North Karamea — about 1 hour (65 km) drive to the north on State Highway 67.

South Westport — the largest town in the northern West Coast Punakaiki — a stunning coast road south on State Highway 6 Barrytown — a hamlet with a gorgeous beach and a great vibe Greymouth — the next sizeable town to the south

South and east Reefton — inland to the south-east Murchison — inland to the east