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Oceania > New Zealand > South Island > West Coast (New Zealand) > Granity

Granity is the first small town north of Westport on State Highway 67, in the northern part of the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Understand

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Similar to many towns in the West Coast region, Granity was once a bustling coal and goldmining town. It has numerous interesting historical sites, and access to beautiful views and beaches. In the Granity area we include the communities of Birchfield (8 km to the south), Ngakawau and Hector (2.5 - 3.5 km to the north) and Millerton which sits 5 km above Granity on an impressive hill, a former coalmining site.

The nearest i-SITE Information Centre is in Westport.

Get in

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By plane

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By car

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Granity is 31 km (25 minutes) north of Westport on State Highway 67.

Get around

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See

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There are many historical sites to see in the Granity area. Up the hill from Granity is Millerton and its Mine Heritage site, and a 90-minute escarpment walk to gorgeous views on a clear day. Down the old road from Millerton you can find the remains of a mining site. Coming down the hill from Millerton, watch for a quick left turn to a stunning waterwall and a dizzying view down its path. Further on from Millerton is the active mining site of Stockton.

North of Granity on State Highway 67 is the village of Hector, another former mining town with an interesting history.

  • 1 Northern Buller Museum (Granity Museum), 46-48 Back Rd, +64 3 782 8653.
  • 2 The Lyric Theatre, 92 Torea Street. The theatre is closed for renovations, but is an example of an original historic building in the town of Granity.
  • 3 Granity Public Library, Torea Street (State Highway 67 becomes Torea Street in Granity). A Category II historic place, the Granity Library is housed in a 1903 building. Granity Community Library (Q73554804) on Wikidata Granity Community Library on Wikipedia
  • 4 Millerton information Centre. Some display boards in an old house in this former mining community. There are some mining remains nearby.

Do

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Buy

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Eat and drink

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  • 1 Ngakawau Tavern, 31 Main Road, Ngakawau, +64 3-782 8035. Pub with rooms.

Sleep

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  • 1 Ghost Lodge Granity, 89 Torea St, +64 21 267 5102. Lodge accommodates groups and individuals. Beach access. Free use of wetsuits, surf boards and boogie boards. Place to wash and store bikes if you've just come off the Old Ghost Road track.

Go next

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North

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  • Karamea — about 1 hour (65 km) drive to the north on State Highway 67.

South

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  • Westport — the largest town in the northern West Coast
  • Punakaiki — a stunning coast road south on State Highway 6
  • Barrytown — a hamlet with a gorgeous beach and a great vibe
  • Greymouth — the next sizeable town to the south

South and east

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This city travel guide to Granity is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.