An unexpected West Coast gem, Reefton was once a bustling mining town, now a rather pleasant place to stop after crossing Lewis Pass.
Randomly it was the first place in the Southern Hemisphere to have electric street lights.
It’s once wealth is apparent in the heritage buildings.
Rail enthusiasts will love one of only two surviving single Fairlie steam trains (double’s are more famous, particularly on Welsh railways), though it had clearly seen better days.
Heading further west is the sizeable Buller Gorge, complete with some inventive roading.
