Coal Creek Falls

Coal Creek Falls is a small waterfall at the end of a mile-long bush track. This isn’t a waterfall that’ll make anyone’s NZ top-ten list, yet, for some, it may warrant a stop. If you’re traveling and maybe a bit tired of the tourist-ago- go from either the Fox/Franz/Hokitika hustle or the Pancakie tourist posse, then detour off the Westland highway and go for a nice deep-forest walk to a out-of-the-way spot where there are NO tourists.

Coal Creek Falls itself is about 7m high and 20m wide, and the look of the falls varies widely depending on the week’s rain (my pix are lowwater from a no-rain week.) There’s a dark pool of tanninstained water below the falls which local kids love on hot summer days.

Photographers will like this waterfall. There are a bunch of angles to play with, foreground rock combinations, macro close-up potentials, and even the chance to capture the waterfall’s reflection if the pool is still. Bring a tripod that you can set up in a bit of shallow water, and also bring watersandals so you can rock-hop to some different spots. The rock that Coal Creek Falls spill over has a reddish tinge that nicely contrasts the green algae/moss.

When it’s grey in Greymouth, Coal Creek Falls makes a good walk. It’s 20- minutes on a fairly easy track through forest and bush…lots of cicadas, few people. If you’re waiting for a low-tide at Motukiekie, this is a good way to spend the time.