Driving SH7 from Reefton to Springs Junction | West Coast | New Zealand | 4K

Categories: West Coast Region

Tags: driving, new zealand, reefton, springs junction, west coast

Added: 2 years ago

Driving SH7 from Reefton to Springs Junction, in the West Coast Region of New Zealand's South Island.

Reefton was originally founded in 1872 as a gold mining town, then expanded into coal mining, which continues today and has since added forestry, sawmilling, dairying and tourism. It is a small town, home to around 1,000 people, with an abundance of heritage features. The town is situated next to the magnificent Victoria Conservation Park and is probably better known as the first town in New Zealand, and the Southern Hemisphere, to receive electricity in 1888. The streets were lit by commercially generated electricity from the town's power station. Reefton is a popular holiday destination for those around the South Island, offering many activities including fishing, bird watching, walking, hiking and hunting.

Springs Junction is a major road junction that connects two major highways, State Highway 7 and State Highway 65. State Highway 7 runs between Canterbury and the West Coast.