Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
scattered nikau palms and tangled kiekie. The track follows the valley for 3km before drop-
ping to Fox River, where a wide ford to the true right (north) bank is marked.
On the other side is a junction, and the track heading east (right) goes to
Fox River
Caves
. The 30-minute climb to the caves is gentle, with the exception of the final 100m.
The entrances to the two impressive caves are inside a huge rock overhang. Only the upper,
left (as you face them) cave can be entered. It is accessible on stone steps, and it's possible
to walk 200m inside the main cave if you have a torch handy and a lack of claustrophobia.
Failing that, even just a short foray inside will reveal some interesting stalagmites and
stalactites.
After returning to the main track at the Fox River ford, stay on the true right (north) side
and follow the track west along the river, crossing numerous gravel bars, and using the large
orange trail markers designed to keep wandering trampers on course. This section takes
about 45 minutes. You emerge at the car park off SH6 at Fox River bridge.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Croesus Track
Duration
2 days
Distance
18km (11 miles)
Track Standard
Tramping track & route
Difficulty
Moderate
Start
Smoke-Ho Creek car park
End
Barrytown
Nearest Towns
Blackball (
Click here
)
, Punakaiki (
Click here
)
, Greymouth (
Click here
)
Transport
Shuttle bus
Summary
This goldfields route links the Grey Valley with the West Coast at Barrytown. It
takes in a variety of sights, including bushland, the tussock tops of the Paparoas and in-
triguing relics from the gold-mining era.
The history of the Paparoas is inextricably interwoven with the search for gold, and these
mountains are criss-crossed with tracks made by miners. The Croesus Track is regarded as
one of the best surviving 'pack tracks' in NZ.
