By Lachlan Forsyth
Wild, inaccessible, and packed with undiscovered wealth, the West Coast was New Zealand's frontier.
Now coasters are finding their rich history makes perfect picking for tourism ventures.
Coal smoke, untamed beards and cups of steaming billy tea – this is West Coast life as it was at the turn of last century.
Together Reefton's bearded miners regale visitors with tales of the coast, inspired by the areas rich history.
“All we do basically is drink tea and tell lies,” says Pete Hinton of the Bearded Mining Company.
For a town that was the first in New Zealand to sport electric lights, the miner's shack is a trip back in time.
Although it does sport all the mod cons; central heating, an indoor-outdoor flow, sky television – and visitors can't get enough.
“I think people can relate to the griddle scones and black billy tea or the forge or the miner's hut,” says Ian Davidson.
“This is a good place for people to hang out and listen to the stories of the past.”
In fact the pungent smoke that billows from the shack is a highlight for nostalgic Brits.
“They'd sort of get a lungful of smoke and go, ‘oh my god, I'm back home again’, you know? Sort of makes their day for them,” says Mr Hinton.
There are treasures to be seen and visitors can try their hand at a bit of panning, but many naively expect some sort of show.
“Yeah they do, they come in demanding it,” says Gavin Hinton. “But they usually get told, told in words of one syllable.”
The shack itself has fast become a part of the town's history.
“It's like a real central part of Reefton,” says Carmen Ormiston, a Reefton resident.
“It is where everything happens. If something has happened in town or you want to find out what's going on, you come here.”
There'll always be a warm West Coast welcome for anyone with the time.
3 News