Blackball

From militant miners to salami sausages – Blackball’s history is colourful and varied.

Blackball was founded in 1864 as a base for transient gold seekers, although the really big gold field of the area was a little further up the Grey Valley at Moonlight.

Thirty years later, however, prospectors had their sights set on coal. They were a revolutionary bunch, renowned for the infamous “Crib time Strike”. For years the Arbitration Court had refused to lengthen the coalmines’ lunch break from 15 minutes to half an hour. In 1908, seven workers went out and refused a command to return to their jobs. When the group was fired, fellow workers joined the strike. The management agreed to the longer break. The strike showed the rest of New Zealand that collection action was effective. As a result the Red Feds were established, and from them the Federation of Labour and the NZ Labour Party evolved.

In its heyday, Blackball had around 1200 people. When the mine closed in 1964, many left and the town was expected to gradually disappear, but it wouldn’t and today around 400 people call Blackball home.

It’s easy to forget Blackball’s militant past. A tranquil 22 kilometres from Greymouth, the settlement is nestled on a plateau with the Paparoa ranges as a back drop. Visitors can walk to the first Blackball mine’s ventilation chimneys, enjoy a game of tennis, bowls, a dip in the local pool, gold panning and possum hunting at night.

There are historic “watering holes” Formerly the Blackball Hilton, the Blackball Workingmen’s Club and the Club Hotel.

Walk the famous Croesus Track, which takes you from Blackball across the Paparoa range to Barrytown. This takes you through moss covered rainforest, past a gold stamping battery and on to the tussock tops for some fantastic views. There is an overnight hut and the walk is done over two days, but can be completed by people of reasonable fitness in 7-8 hours.