The Dun Mountain cycle trail traverses the route of New Zealand’s first railway. Photo: Dave Mitchell

Into the mineral belt

May 2019

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May 2019

The Coppermine Trail (formerly known as the Dun Mountain cycle trail) traverses the route of New Zealand’s first railway.

New Zealand’s first railway, the Dun Mountain Railway, was built from Nelson to Coppermine Saddle in 1861. The narrow gauge railway not only provided access to the chromite and copper in Nelson’s stark and barren mineral belt but also public transport from town to port. Mining only lasted until 1866 as returns didn’t match expenditure […]
May 2019

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May 2019

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