Ross, West Coast: Gold Panning, Heritage and New Zealand's Biggest Nugget
Updated: Oct 11
Ross is a backwater gold-mining town and a snapshot of history without the boring bits. Relics are scattered everywhere, from a water cannon once used to sluice the hillsides to a poppet head beside the heritage cottage. In autumn and spring, the town's mature trees put on a show.
In 1909, miners here unearthed New Zealand's largest gold nugget, the 3.1 kg "Honourable Roddy", named after the Minister of Mines. It was later given to King George V as a coronation gift, and ended up as gold trim on a royal tea set.
Ross visitor centre wall mural, West Coast NZ Glorious view Ross heritage gold mining village, West Coast NZ Heritage bank building now visitor centre, gift shop and try your hand gold panning Historic gold mining poppet, Ross, West Coast NZ Historic miners cottage interior, Ross, West Coast NZ
Try your luck at gold panning
The Ross Goldfields Information & Heritage Centre, in the old bank building, is the place to start. Watch a panning demonstration, pan undercover at the centre, or hire a pan and shovel and try your luck at the DOC fossicking area at Jones Creek. It's open daily in summer and on fewer days in winter, so check hours and book ahead in busy periods.
The heritage precinct
Step inside the restored miner's cottage, the old Ross jail and St Patrick's Church, and the small museum with its replica of the Honourable Roddy. Look for the giant corrugated-iron Old Gold Miner pointing the way into town. He's the town's best selfie spot.
Ross Water Race Walkway
This one-hour loop is a great walk for kids, with tunnels, dams, old water races, a replica miner's hut and plenty of relics. A short, steep zigzag leads to the historic cemetery, where the headstones tell the story of a harsh life on the goldfields. On a clear day, you can see the Tasman Sea. Experienced trampers can tackle the long, rough climb up Mount Greenland, a full day out.
The end of the trail
Ross is the southern end of the West Coast Wilderness Trail. Pose in the trail's picture frame to celebrate the finish.
Nearby: Lake Mahinapua and the Treetop Walk
Between Ross and Hokitika, the West Coast Treetop Walk climbs 20 metres into the rimu and kamahi canopy, with a 47-metre tower for sweeping views and glimpses of Lake Mahinapua through the forest. There's even a zipline from the tower. Nearby Lake Mahinapua is lovely for a picnic, a paddle or a wetland walk.
Ross at a glance
Where: About 25 minutes south of Hokitika, and an hour from Greymouth
Named after: George Ross, a Canterbury provincial treasurer, after gold was found here in the mid-1860s
Time needed: Half a day with panning and the water race walk
Best for: Families, history lovers and cyclists finishing the trail
Stay: The historic Empire Hotel is a classic West Coast pub with rooms
Where to stay
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Plan your visit
Drive the Greymouth inland day trip via Kumara, Lake Brunner and Moana
Make Greymouth your base with my Greymouth travel guide
Planning the whole coast? Kumara, Ross, Lake Brunner and Blackball are easy detours from New Zealand's Great West Coast Road Trip, my guide to the full drive from Westport to Haast.
FAQs
Can you go gold panning in Ross?
Yes. The Ross Goldfields Information & Heritage Centre runs panning demonstrations, lets you pan undercover at the centre, and hires pans and shovels for the DOC fossicking area at Jones Creek.
How long is the Ross Water Race Walkway?
About an hour for the loop, passing tunnels, water races, a replica miner's hut and the historic cemetery.
What was the Honourable Roddy nugget?
New Zealand's largest gold nugget, about 3.1 kg, found in Ross in 1909 and later given to King George V as a coronation gift.
