Millerton, New Zealand facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Millerton
Millerton Location in West Coast
Country	New Zealand
Region	West Coast
District	Buller District
Electorates	West Coast-Tasman Te Tai Tonga
Population  (2006)
• Total	40

Millerton is a small town located in the West Coast region of New Zealand. You can find it in the Papahaua Ranges, about 33 kilometers north of Westport. This town's story is closely linked to coal mining. For many years, coal mining was the main reason Millerton existed.

In the 1970s, Millerton was called a "ghost town" because many people had left. However, it has had people living there for a long time since then. Today, about 30 to 40 people call Millerton home. It might even be New Zealand's only town built on a hilltop where people still live!

Millerton's Mining History

Millerton sits about 300 meters above sea level. Getting coal from the mines down to the coastal railway was a big challenge. To solve this, the Westport Coal Company built the Millerton Incline in 1891. The Millerton Mine then started producing coal in 1896. Mining in Millerton stopped in the late 1960s.

The Millerton Incline: An Engineering Marvel

The Millerton Incline was a special narrow gauge railway. It had two parallel tracks. Coal was loaded into small tubs that ran on these tracks. Ropes were used to pull the tubs up and down the steep slope.

Today, you can still see parts of the old tracks, coal tubs, and other buildings. The Millerton Incline was a very impressive engineering project for its time. It helped move coal from the mines to large storage bins in Granity. These bins were once the biggest wooden coal loading bins in New Zealand. While the bins are gone, the incline itself can still be seen.

Past and Future of Coal Mining

A famous person from Millerton was William Henderson McIntyre. He was a miner from Scotland. He later became a member of the New Zealand Legislative Council from 1921 until he passed away in 1949. He was known as the Father of the Upper House. He and his brother even set a record for the most coal mined in one shift at the Millerton Mine!

Even though mining stopped in Millerton and nearby Denniston, coal mining continues in the Stockton area. There are plans to reopen some of the old Millerton Mine areas. This would be for open-cast mining, which means digging coal from the surface.

Community Life in Millerton

Millerton has a proud history, especially in sports.

Millerton's Football Team

The local football (soccer) club was called the Millerton All Blacks. This team was very good! They reached the finals of the Chatham Cup twice. The Chatham Cup is New Zealand's main knockout football competition. The Millerton All Blacks were runners-up in 1932 and again in 1933.

Local Organizations

Millerton also had its own special club called the Lookout Lodge No 127. This lodge was part of the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. It opened in 1950 and closed in the mid-1980s.

Exploring Millerton: A Tourist's Guide

Many tourists like to visit the West Coast, north of Westport. Millerton is a great place to explore.

Getting Around Millerton

The road to Millerton used to be very narrow and steep. Now, a new, safer road goes directly to Stockton through an area called 'The Grand Canyon'. You can access Millerton from this new road. Signs will guide you into the town. The old road still goes through the town and leads towards the historic Millerton Incline.

Walking Trails and Scenic Views

There are several short walks in and around Millerton. These trails let you see historic sites and enjoy beautiful views. You can look out over the rainforest to the coast and north towards the Karamea headland.

One part of the old road is now closed to cars, but you can walk along it. It leads down to the Millerton 'Granity Creek' Bridge. From here, you can see a series of waterfalls. There are parking areas at both ends of this walking path.

The Historic Bathhouses

The "bathhouse walks" are another set of trails in this area. The bathhouses themselves are very old and important. There was a creek that formed a dam, creating a reservoir. Coal miners used to come here to bathe after a long day of work. You can still see parts of the old pipes that carried hot water, heated by the mines, to the site. In the town area, you can also see the old mine sites and the incline brake head.

The local community hall in Millerton offers maps and information for visitors.

Images for kids

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  Millerton, around 1910

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  Millerton settlement