October 25, 2024 • 11 mins
"If you’re heading to the West Coast via Lewis Pass, make a date with the starring town of Reefton. From Springs Junction, the highway threads through the verdant beech forest finery of Victoria Forest Park, New Zealand’s largest conservation park of its type, spanning 180,000 hectares. There are gold mining and quartz mining relics in the area, with a variety of sublime hikes, from short strolls to epic, multi day tramps. But the hospitality beacon is Reefton, the Town of Light, where the glint of gold gave birth to its name courtesy of the vast quartz reef that spawned the 1870 gold rush."
Read Mike's full article here.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks at b.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Well, you can't say we don't give you a variety
on Saturday mornings. That is the spice of life. Our
travel correspondent Mike Yardley is here this morning, and Mike,
I'm broadcasting from New York City, and this morning you're
here to tell us about one of the most beautiful
parts of altered Or. And I want to be totally
clear here, I am not bagging on Reefon and the
Lewis past. I sincerely think that part of the kind
(00:34):
of central South Island and the west coast of the
South Island is incredible. But it's a contrast from Manhattan,
you could say, just ever so slightly. Jack.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Yes, good morning to you and New York. It's been
so great listening to you from the Big Appel. By
the way, just before we talk about Reefdown, are you
going to Trump's rally at Medisine Square Garden.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Well, I'm waiting to see exactly where we're going to
be over the next couple of days because I'm actually
first thing tomorrow morning, I am flying to Arizona, of
all places, So I'm going to go and do some
report an Arizona. I'm preparing myself for the thirty seven
degrees that it's going to be an Arizona, and then
I'm going to a couple of other spots this week
as well. But it's really interesting they've been the candidates
(01:18):
have been putting their plans out quite last minute because
obviously they're getting like real time polling data and they're
trying to work out where they might be vulnerable. But
of course Madison Square Garden has been planned for a while.
I've got a couple of mates who, in fact, I've
actually I've got I've got some of my really close
friends over here are you know, very strong Donald Trump
(01:39):
supporters and you know, and are really excited about seeing
him there. He's it's funny though, he's been turning up
at all these different sports events. Obviously when he goes
to Madison Square Garden it's one of his rallies, but
he's been turning up at these, you know, at NFL games,
at UFC games, so clearly he's trying to you know,
get in with a certain demographic at some of those events.
(02:00):
So yeah, that's that's that's gonna be. That's going to
be something to behold. Yeah, yeah, And the funny thing is, like, sorry,
just the last point on this that people always think
about New York as being a really like a Democrat
kind of town, right, And it's true that like New
York City definitely skews Democrats, but it's easy to forget
(02:22):
how many million people live here and how many millions
are actually Republican supporters and Trump supporters. So even here
in the kind of heart of you know, left leaning
Democrat voting America, there are literally millions of Trump supporters.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
So yeah, I'm.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Sure he will have no problem packing out Madison Square
Garden to say the least.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Anyway, like I say, we're focusing on Reefdon this morning,
and Reefton's reputation as a starring tourist town is not
in dispute. But where is a new great place to stay?
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Well for you, Jack post usay, you will be needing
a beer back at home, so I've got just the
place for you. It's called the Brewers Night In. And
this is such a singular accommodation experience and reaped in
it's a magnificent new addition to the town's amazing trobe
of heritage treasures. The thing about it, it's like a
(03:19):
siren too history, a revitalized relic because it was Stuart
Monteeth's cottage, so he was like a wealthy young chap
thetled in the eighteen seventies up to making his fortune
in the Australian goldfields. And what did he decide to
do but become a beer brewer and a West Coast legend.
(03:42):
And of course the Monteeth legacy continues today. But the
thing about the cottage Jack it has just been so
magnificently period restored. So there's lots of authentic original features.
All of the handcut Remoo War timber is there, the
brass and copper fittings, even the cast iron woodfire. So
spending a night here feels like you've traveled back in
(04:04):
time to the nineteenth century. There are some very cool
Montefs waiting for you in the fridge.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yes, yes, of course. I don't think it goes without saying.
I should think so despite all of the history and
vintage features, is it comfortable?
Speaker 1 (04:18):
You're not?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
You're not sleeping in like a are you?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
No, not at all. I mean it's very cozy, very comfy.
That wood fire, for example, is just so toasty. But
they haven't gone berserk with the creature comforts, which I
think is really good because you do want the history
to sing when you were there. And they've added some
like very thoughtful touches, like this enormous bathtub in the bathroom,
(04:45):
so you can just crack open a Montese have we
soak in that bathtub. They've got this fabulous music room.
It's such a cool touch. So they've got this vintage
p and O and then a stereo with a cracking
vinyl collection to reel in the years. But I just
love the fact that you are spending the night or
(05:05):
two in miss Monteithese cottage. I just think that is
so special and it's only about three hundred bucks a night.
The other really cool thing is the owner is a
big animal rescue devotee, so he has allowed you to
bre so you can bring your pets with you. If
you've got a dog, you're very welcome to bring your
very friend along with you.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Excellent. Yeah, that's great. Okay, So what else peaked your
interest in Reeton?
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yeah? I was keen to see how the main street
Broadway was looking, because I've always loved how in the
last ten years or so the movie set goodlocks of
that historic main street just continue to blossom and that
story continues. So the streetscape and a Broadway at the
moment is just looking so resplendent. A new arrival, for example,
(05:49):
on the main street is step Toes Coffee Emporium and
once again it's very vintagely themed, but a really good
spot for a caffeine shot before you hit the trails
all around Eton. Speaking of which, the Powerhouse Walk, which
is one of the most popular tracks, which is sort
of wrapped around the Andongohilla River. Very cool. Little update
(06:11):
on this. The Powerhouse is the powerhouse that generated New
Zealand's first public supply of electricity back in the eighteen eighties.
At the moment they are trying to reinstate that powerhouse
back into operation, which would be a very cool thing.
So you'll seed workers there when you take a wander
on that walk.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yeah nice, Okay, So heading into Lewis Pass then kind
of inland. What is so distinctive about the Maruya hop poles.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Yes, well, if you're looking for a wellness break on
the West coast, I think Maruya is fantastic. The word
actually translates from Mali as shelter or comfortable place Maruria
and man, it's just so perfectly named because a bit
like Hannah Springs. It was first used by Mali Ponamu
traders to sue the aches and wounds while hauling stone
(07:04):
across the path. Nowadays it's a magnificent hot springs retreat
and unlike the hurly burly of Hemmer Springs if you're
wanting something a bit more sedate. I love how their
hot pools are just so brilliantly elemental, as if they're
just all part of nature. And then you've got plunge
pools and saunas and steam rooms, really good on site dining.
(07:26):
But it's the sweet solitude of that location, all beach
forests and beefy mountains. You can't beat it.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
I remember when I were when we were kids in
my family, my parents took us there and we stayed
at night there and it just snowed just a little
bit when we were on the high. It was the
most amazing experience. Yeah, so can you purchase like a
day pass to visit?
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Marily, Yeah, I was really intrigued by this. Jack so yeah.
I mean, I've got some really good accommodation options, whether
you want swanky or cheap and cheerful. You can actually
just camp there if you want. But if you just
want to have a quick devil, yeah, you can buy
a three hour path which gives you access to those
mineral rich hot poles and also the sauna. The coursing
about that spring water, by the way, the GEO them
(08:10):
will spring water. It spurts out of the Earth. It's
fifty six degrees celsius after being heated up by the
Earth's core. So they then call it down because obviously
that's too hot. You know, they have a soaken so
they call it down to thirty seven to forty two
degrees in those hot pools, which is quite hot enough.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
I think, yes, yes, yes, I agree with you on that.
What about like the Lewis Pass Wilderness, because the bush
yavia is incredible. There are some really good walks nearby, a.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
So many jack and I mean, I think I've been
guilty of this, of just ripping through the Lewis Pass
without stopping a lot of times. But if you do
want to have a bit of a ramble, the Maruia
River trailer is a cracker for those wide angle alpine views.
If you want to head into the forest just off
Lewis Pass Highway, the Waterfall Creek Walk is a short
(09:01):
and sweet forty minute family favorite, and the bird life
in Lewis Pass is prolific. I would suggest you strike
out on Rough Creak Track, which starts right on the
side of the highway. Every time I have done this track,
within ten minutes, I've had chirpy South Island Robin's sidle
(09:22):
up to me like sidekicks on the track. So if
you want a Robin Rondevous, the Rough Creek track is
a sure bet.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Ah.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yeah, so good. Hey, I don't know why I didn't
think of this earlier, but yeah, there is something that
of course connects that part of the world Reefton in
the Lewest Pass, with the part of the world that
I'm broadcasting from this morning. A certain figure in New
Zealand's history. Can you think of anyone off the top
of your head. I'm very much putting you on the
spot here.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
Reefed in New York City. No, you'll have to help
me here.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Jack, Okay, Okay, So it is Reefton, technically it's Crushington
which is just outside of Reefton. But I mean, I
think even that the fine locals of Reefdon would agree
that Crushington is reefing the suburb of Reston. So you
might have even noticed a statue on the way into town,
have you seen that? Yes?
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yes, yes, Jack Lovelock he was born in.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Nineteen ten yep, and very sadly, of course, he died
at a subway station in Brooklyn, New York.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
So do you go that is one cracking connection you've
just reached up. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Yeah, I'm a bit of a I'm a bit of
a Jack Lovelock nerd. I'm a nerd for love stuff
and so yeah, because he died Church Avenue subway station
in Brooklyn, and yeah, yeah, so do you go a
little little connection there? Nineteen ten he was born in Crushington,
just outside of reef and went on, of course to
win gold in the fifteen hundred.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
How may Yeah, and just out of Regidon Black's points
that neighboring village. The Museum THEA has the most amazing
collection all about Jack Lovelock's life.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Oh how about that? Look, we're all about connections this morning,
can if we put out something this morning and said,
we're gonna what connects New York and reefdon I don't
know how many how many listens would have got there,
I mean the reef and locals would have to disqualify them.
That'll get it immediately. But yeah, hey, thank you so much, Mike.
We're going to make sure that all of Mike's tips
on visiting Reefton and Lewis Pass are up and available
(11:22):
at newstalk SDB dot co dot nz.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to News Talks ed B from nine am Saturday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast
from News Talks at b.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Well, you can't say we don't give you a variety
on Saturday mornings. That is the spice of life. Our
travel correspondent Mike Yardley is here this morning, and Mike,
I'm broadcasting from New York City, and this morning you're
here to tell us about one of the most beautiful
parts of altered Or. And I want to be totally
clear here, I am not bagging on Reefon and the
Lewis past. I sincerely think that part of the kind
(00:34):
of central South Island and the west coast of the
South Island is incredible. But it's a contrast from Manhattan,
you could say, just ever so slightly. Jack.
Speaker 3 (00:44):
Yes, good morning to you and New York. It's been
so great listening to you from the Big Appel. By
the way, just before we talk about Reefdown, are you
going to Trump's rally at Medisine Square Garden.
Speaker 2 (00:55):
Well, I'm waiting to see exactly where we're going to
be over the next couple of days because I'm actually
first thing tomorrow morning, I am flying to Arizona, of
all places, So I'm going to go and do some
report an Arizona. I'm preparing myself for the thirty seven
degrees that it's going to be an Arizona, and then
I'm going to a couple of other spots this week
as well. But it's really interesting they've been the candidates
(01:18):
have been putting their plans out quite last minute because
obviously they're getting like real time polling data and they're
trying to work out where they might be vulnerable. But
of course Madison Square Garden has been planned for a while.
I've got a couple of mates who, in fact, I've
actually I've got I've got some of my really close
friends over here are you know, very strong Donald Trump
(01:39):
supporters and you know, and are really excited about seeing
him there. He's it's funny though, he's been turning up
at all these different sports events. Obviously when he goes
to Madison Square Garden it's one of his rallies, but
he's been turning up at these, you know, at NFL games,
at UFC games, so clearly he's trying to you know,
get in with a certain demographic at some of those events.
(02:00):
So yeah, that's that's that's gonna be. That's going to
be something to behold. Yeah, yeah, And the funny thing is, like, sorry,
just the last point on this that people always think
about New York as being a really like a Democrat
kind of town, right, And it's true that like New
York City definitely skews Democrats, but it's easy to forget
(02:22):
how many million people live here and how many millions
are actually Republican supporters and Trump supporters. So even here
in the kind of heart of you know, left leaning
Democrat voting America, there are literally millions of Trump supporters.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
So yeah, I'm.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
Sure he will have no problem packing out Madison Square
Garden to say the least.
Speaker 1 (02:44):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:45):
Anyway, like I say, we're focusing on Reefdon this morning,
and Reefton's reputation as a starring tourist town is not
in dispute. But where is a new great place to stay?
Speaker 3 (02:57):
Well for you, Jack post usay, you will be needing
a beer back at home, so I've got just the
place for you. It's called the Brewers Night In. And
this is such a singular accommodation experience and reaped in
it's a magnificent new addition to the town's amazing trobe
of heritage treasures. The thing about it, it's like a
(03:19):
siren too history, a revitalized relic because it was Stuart
Monteeth's cottage, so he was like a wealthy young chap
thetled in the eighteen seventies up to making his fortune
in the Australian goldfields. And what did he decide to
do but become a beer brewer and a West Coast legend.
(03:42):
And of course the Monteeth legacy continues today. But the
thing about the cottage Jack it has just been so
magnificently period restored. So there's lots of authentic original features.
All of the handcut Remoo War timber is there, the
brass and copper fittings, even the cast iron woodfire. So
spending a night here feels like you've traveled back in
(04:04):
time to the nineteenth century. There are some very cool
Montefs waiting for you in the fridge.
Speaker 2 (04:09):
Yes, yes, of course. I don't think it goes without saying.
I should think so despite all of the history and
vintage features, is it comfortable?
Speaker 1 (04:18):
You're not?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
You're not sleeping in like a are you?
Speaker 3 (04:22):
No, not at all. I mean it's very cozy, very comfy.
That wood fire, for example, is just so toasty. But
they haven't gone berserk with the creature comforts, which I
think is really good because you do want the history
to sing when you were there. And they've added some
like very thoughtful touches, like this enormous bathtub in the bathroom,
(04:45):
so you can just crack open a Montese have we
soak in that bathtub. They've got this fabulous music room.
It's such a cool touch. So they've got this vintage
p and O and then a stereo with a cracking
vinyl collection to reel in the years. But I just
love the fact that you are spending the night or
(05:05):
two in miss Monteithese cottage. I just think that is
so special and it's only about three hundred bucks a night.
The other really cool thing is the owner is a
big animal rescue devotee, so he has allowed you to
bre so you can bring your pets with you. If
you've got a dog, you're very welcome to bring your
very friend along with you.
Speaker 2 (05:25):
Excellent. Yeah, that's great. Okay, So what else peaked your
interest in Reeton?
Speaker 3 (05:29):
Yeah? I was keen to see how the main street
Broadway was looking, because I've always loved how in the
last ten years or so the movie set goodlocks of
that historic main street just continue to blossom and that
story continues. So the streetscape and a Broadway at the
moment is just looking so resplendent. A new arrival, for example,
(05:49):
on the main street is step Toes Coffee Emporium and
once again it's very vintagely themed, but a really good
spot for a caffeine shot before you hit the trails
all around Eton. Speaking of which, the Powerhouse Walk, which
is one of the most popular tracks, which is sort
of wrapped around the Andongohilla River. Very cool. Little update
(06:11):
on this. The Powerhouse is the powerhouse that generated New
Zealand's first public supply of electricity back in the eighteen eighties.
At the moment they are trying to reinstate that powerhouse
back into operation, which would be a very cool thing.
So you'll seed workers there when you take a wander
on that walk.
Speaker 2 (06:33):
Yeah nice, Okay, So heading into Lewis Pass then kind
of inland. What is so distinctive about the Maruya hop poles.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Yes, well, if you're looking for a wellness break on
the West coast, I think Maruya is fantastic. The word
actually translates from Mali as shelter or comfortable place Maruria
and man, it's just so perfectly named because a bit
like Hannah Springs. It was first used by Mali Ponamu
traders to sue the aches and wounds while hauling stone
(07:04):
across the path. Nowadays it's a magnificent hot springs retreat
and unlike the hurly burly of Hemmer Springs if you're
wanting something a bit more sedate. I love how their
hot pools are just so brilliantly elemental, as if they're
just all part of nature. And then you've got plunge
pools and saunas and steam rooms, really good on site dining.
(07:26):
But it's the sweet solitude of that location, all beach
forests and beefy mountains. You can't beat it.
Speaker 2 (07:33):
I remember when I were when we were kids in
my family, my parents took us there and we stayed
at night there and it just snowed just a little
bit when we were on the high. It was the
most amazing experience. Yeah, so can you purchase like a
day pass to visit?
Speaker 3 (07:49):
Marily, Yeah, I was really intrigued by this. Jack so yeah.
I mean, I've got some really good accommodation options, whether
you want swanky or cheap and cheerful. You can actually
just camp there if you want. But if you just
want to have a quick devil, yeah, you can buy
a three hour path which gives you access to those
mineral rich hot poles and also the sauna. The coursing
about that spring water, by the way, the GEO them
(08:10):
will spring water. It spurts out of the Earth. It's
fifty six degrees celsius after being heated up by the
Earth's core. So they then call it down because obviously
that's too hot. You know, they have a soaken so
they call it down to thirty seven to forty two
degrees in those hot pools, which is quite hot enough.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
I think, yes, yes, yes, I agree with you on that.
What about like the Lewis Pass Wilderness, because the bush
yavia is incredible. There are some really good walks nearby, a.
Speaker 3 (08:39):
So many jack and I mean, I think I've been
guilty of this, of just ripping through the Lewis Pass
without stopping a lot of times. But if you do
want to have a bit of a ramble, the Maruia
River trailer is a cracker for those wide angle alpine views.
If you want to head into the forest just off
Lewis Pass Highway, the Waterfall Creek Walk is a short
(09:01):
and sweet forty minute family favorite, and the bird life
in Lewis Pass is prolific. I would suggest you strike
out on Rough Creak Track, which starts right on the
side of the highway. Every time I have done this track,
within ten minutes, I've had chirpy South Island Robin's sidle
(09:22):
up to me like sidekicks on the track. So if
you want a Robin Rondevous, the Rough Creek track is
a sure bet.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Ah.
Speaker 2 (09:31):
Yeah, so good. Hey, I don't know why I didn't
think of this earlier, but yeah, there is something that
of course connects that part of the world Reefton in
the Lewest Pass, with the part of the world that
I'm broadcasting from this morning. A certain figure in New
Zealand's history. Can you think of anyone off the top
of your head. I'm very much putting you on the
spot here.
Speaker 3 (09:51):
Reefed in New York City. No, you'll have to help
me here.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Jack, Okay, Okay, So it is Reefton, technically it's Crushington
which is just outside of Reefton. But I mean, I
think even that the fine locals of Reefdon would agree
that Crushington is reefing the suburb of Reston. So you
might have even noticed a statue on the way into town,
have you seen that? Yes?
Speaker 3 (10:13):
Yes, yes, Jack Lovelock he was born in.
Speaker 2 (10:18):
Nineteen ten yep, and very sadly, of course, he died
at a subway station in Brooklyn, New York.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
So do you go that is one cracking connection you've
just reached up. Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:29):
Yeah, I'm a bit of a I'm a bit of
a Jack Lovelock nerd. I'm a nerd for love stuff
and so yeah, because he died Church Avenue subway station
in Brooklyn, and yeah, yeah, so do you go a
little little connection there? Nineteen ten he was born in Crushington,
just outside of reef and went on, of course to
win gold in the fifteen hundred.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
How may Yeah, and just out of Regidon Black's points
that neighboring village. The Museum THEA has the most amazing
collection all about Jack Lovelock's life.
Speaker 2 (11:02):
Oh how about that? Look, we're all about connections this morning,
can if we put out something this morning and said,
we're gonna what connects New York and reefdon I don't
know how many how many listens would have got there,
I mean the reef and locals would have to disqualify them.
That'll get it immediately. But yeah, hey, thank you so much, Mike.
We're going to make sure that all of Mike's tips
on visiting Reefton and Lewis Pass are up and available
(11:22):
at newstalk SDB dot co dot nz.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame, listen live
to News Talks ed B from nine am Saturday, or
follow the podcast on iHeartRadio
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