Lyell cont'
Failure of the town’s water supply was a cruel blow in 1896 when 18 of Lyell’s buildings burned down. Only a few businesses were rebuilt as by then the easy gold had been won. The last mine to close was the New Alpine in 1913. The town’s last building, the Post Office Hotel, burned down in 1963.
Brunner's Memorial
In 1847 Thomas Brunner made an exploration of the Buller and the West Coast with Maori guides Kehu and Pikewate and the guides wives. Soon abandoned, Kehu and Brunner continued alone, travelling a total of 550 days and suffering hunger and sickness during the epic journey. Consider the difficulties he faced as you view the river.
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Newton Hotel
This was once a stopping place for horse-drawn coaches with a large stables, smithy, tack room and hayshed. For a time it served as the local post office.
Newton Flat
This area was the site of a roadmans cottage and at one time a school which was flattened in a landslide caused by the 1929 earthquake.
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