Charming Creek North Walkway: Walking Guide, Time & Access

Route overview

Walk along the upper part of an historic bush tramway to historic mining sites, milling sites, and to a view of the Mangatini Falls.

This DOC directory entry covers Charming Creek North Walkway in West Coast, within Westport area. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 5.5 km one way
• Walking time: 2 hr one way
• DOC grade: Easy

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

Dog access

Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

Carpark and historic Charming Creek mine site

From the carpark you’ll see the historic Charming Creek mine site.

This area contains:

• rusty mining relics

• the original bathhouse shell, and

• sealed entrances to the historic underground coal mining operation.

On this part of the track you’ll also see the fan that extracted air from the underground mine.

Mine site to Mumm’s Mill

Time: 15 minutes

You’ll then walk down a moderate gradient hill and then up another one using steps. Just before the steps, there’s a historic vertical boiler.

After the steps the track levels out to a flat track. You will reach Mumm’s Mill, which is a historic milling site. Here you will find a sawmill steam engine, trolleys, and a steam log hauler nearby.

Mumm’s Mill to Watson’s Mill

Time: 1 hr 30 mins

The track then follows the old railway tracks through old cutover and farm paddocks to the historic site of Watson’s Mill. Steam boilers and other rusty relics are amongst the regenerating bush at Watson’s Mill.

Look out for the sulphur ‘stink hole’, seepage from a hole drilled during government coal prospecting operations from 1910 to 1912. It’s about 400 metres past a small suspension bridge spanning the main creek. It’s on the right-hand side of the walkway as you move south.

Watson’s Mill to views of Mangatini Falls

Time: 10 minutes

The next section of track offers spectacular views of the river and the Upper Ngakawau Gorge and leads on to the 50 meters Mangatini Tunnel which leads to a view of the impressive Mangatini Falls. There’s a risk of rockfall through the section leading to the tunnel. Avoid the area in heavy rain or wind.

This area has one of the only remaining wooden tramline middle breaks in New Zealand. Breaks were used to slow wagons down during the height of the mining and milling operations.

Return via the same track.

Mountain biking

This ride goes over historic railway formations – there may be sharp or rusty metal remnants along the track.

This is a shared-use track. Follow the mountain bikers code: respect others, respect the rules, respect the track.

Getting there

• Starting at Seddonville, West Coast, head southeast on Mokihinui Road. It’s around 10 km to the track start.

• Turn right onto Broome Street after around 200 metres.

• Turn left onto Gladstone St after around 350 metres.

• Continue straight at the crossroads onto Charming Creek Road. This road is a gravel road.

• At the end of the road is the start of the track. Charming Creek Road is around 8.5 km long.

Know before you go

Hazards

• This area has rapidly changing weather since it’s in the wild West Coast.

• Don’t cross beyond barriers, there’s significant rock fall beyond the barriers.

• Keep children close because of exposed edges.

• Watch out for smaller rock falls around Mangatini tunnel.

Don’t drink water from the streams

There is high mineral count from the acid mine drainage. The water is monitored daily by BT mining to ensure it sits with the relevant tolerance. Bring your own water.

Nature and conservation

The hardy Ngakawau Gorge Daisy (Celmisia morganii) flowers abundantly on steep rock faces from December to January.

This is the only known habitat for this rare and protected species.

History and culture

Charming Creek is an outstanding example of the technological innovations by early timber millers and coal miners on the West Coast. Read about the history of Charming Creek.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.