Pike Valley and Pike29 Memorial Track mine site
Introduction
The Pike River Valley entrance to the site of the Pike River mine explosion in 2010, when 29 workers died, will be a place for visitors to remember and learn about the tragedy.On 19 November 2010, there was an underground explosion at the Pike River mine, where 29 workers perished and didn't return home to their families.
The Pike29 Memorial Track connects the Paparoa Track Great Walk to the Pike River mine site. It is a memorial to those men and a thank you to New Zealanders for their support of the Pike River families.
After the Pike River Recovery Agency finished its work in 2022 the site was handed over to DOC to manage. The Pike River families, Ngāti Waewae and DOC are working together to develop the mine site as a place for visitors to remember the Pike 29.
Visiting the mine site
The mine site will be a place for people to visit and to remember, reflect and pay their respects to the Pike 29.
The nearby Pike29 Memorial Track takes walkers and bikers into the Pike valley site. The 11.6 km track connects the Paparoa Track to the site of the former Pike River mine. It tells visitors the story of Pike and what has been learnt from the disaster.
The memorial site and the tracks will ensure that the lessons learned from Pike River are not forgotten. The stories of the Pike 29 will continue to be told and remembered within Paparoa National Park.
Getting there
The Pike River mine site is approximately 40 minutes from Greymouth east along the Grey valley. From Greymouth head up the northern side of the Grey River/Māwheranui to Atarau Road. Turn on to Logburn Road then follow the road around to the Pike River Road.
Note: The Pike River Road is a narrow, windy gravel road with speed limits posted along the road. The road bridges have weight limits for heavy vehicles of 4T. The car park and turnaround space at the road end by the Pike29 Memorial Track are small so buses and long campervans are not recommended.
