Sewell Peak

The big hunk of granite looming over the Grey Valley just behind Coal Creek, Runanga and not far from Greymouth is Sewell Peak, 850m. It is a lesser peak of Mt Davy, just to the northeast.

Thanks to the importance of radio communications, this massive mountain has an asphalt sealed road right to the top, so can be made accessible for recreation, though it is generally not open for public vehicles. The road traverses the old Coal Creek State Farm, which is in private ownership now after being 'humped and hollowed' for drainage and maybe a bit of gold mining. There is an airstrip on the farm.

On the top of the peak are masses of communications equipment, including some huge dishes and a couple of sheds. The facilities are used by KiwiRail, District Councils, Broadcasting operators, Truckies.... virtually all the coast's communications rely on this vital station. Because the winds from the Tasman Sea can reach terrifying speeds, even stripping the galvanising from some steel, everything is built to particularly robust standards.

Even if the gate is not open for you and hiking up a black road is not your idea of a tramping, most say it is worth it, have a look on YouTube at the views to be had up there. You can see westwards forever, and up the valley towards Dobson, Taylorville, Blackball and Haupiri.

NZPlaces would love your pictures if you make it up Sewell Peak.

Image Credit: NZTopomaps