Perched 600 metres above sea level, the Denniston Plateau is a haunting reminder of the West Coast’s mining past. Once home to hundreds of coal miners and their families, it’s now an open-air museum scattered with relics and stories.

A short drive from Waimangaroa leads up to The Hill, where interpretive trails wind past rusting machinery, stone foundations and the famous Denniston Incline, once hailed as the eighth wonder of the world for its steep, gravity-powered descent. The views from the plateau stretch all the way to the Tasman Sea, a reminder of how isolated and harsh life here once was.

The air is cooler, the landscape dramatic, and the sense of history palpable. Take a light jacket, a camera and time to linger. Visiting Denniston offers a powerful glimpse into the resilience of the early settlers and the rugged beauty that defines the northern West Coast.