There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills: Terawhiti Station Tour

"There’s gold in them thar hills!" That is what hundreds of would be miners thought during the late 19th century on the south western hills of Wellington, but sadly for all their efforts, less than 200 ounces of gold was actually declared. Terawhiti Station has been one of New Zealand’s oldest and largest sheep stations, located on the southwest coast of Wellington. Today the Station is approximately 4,800 hectares running sheep and cattle, and a home for our esteem Kiwi, running from Te Ika a Maru Bay in the north down to Karori Stream in the south and Cape Terawhiti in the west. This area has had a rich and varied history. Goldmining was prominent on the Station during the mid to late 19th Century. While payable quartz veins containing gold were located, these seams came to an abrupt end making mining a fragmented and expensive exercise. The Company that expended the most time and money into Terawhiti Station goldfields was the Albion Gold Mining Company, with its battery built in 1883. It is one of the last remaining remnants of a short-lived gold mining rush. Come with us under tour leader Michael Grace, a director of Terawhiti Station on a 4x4 owner drive tour to these Station goldmining sites during the Wellington Heritage Festival and in particular stopping to look at the conservation work proceeding to restore the Albion Battery as a future public Education Centre on Terawhiti Station. The Wellington Goldfields Heritage Society Inc, working closely with historical organisations and others deeply interested in this important piece of New Zealand history is dedicated to preserving, restoring and promoting the 19th century gold mining sites and artifacts on Terawhiti Station. Vehicles: Those taking part in the tour must have a 4 x 4 drive vehicle. A maximum of 15 vehicles allowable for the tour. Drivers may be asked if they have space to take passengers who do not have a suitable vehicle to negotiate the roads on the Station. Payment: Please pay in advance on line to Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, coordinator of this event, 030 502 – 0939456-00 with your name in reference and Terawhiti goldfields. Payment to go to the Wellington Goldfields Heritage Society Inc for conservation work. Please bring: good all weather clothing, coats, hats, footwear to walk on grassy sites. Bring your lunch and water bottles. It is planned to have lunch down at the old station homestead on the coast where there are toilets.