Day 2 continued: Coal Island and Tarawera Smelter

Sunday 14 August:  after our walk to Puysegar Point lighthouse we sailed on to Coal Island for a 1 1/2 hour walk.

Coal Island is now predator free.  There is much new undergrowth and a rough foot track.

We saw evidence of sluicing, tailings and substantial stone dry walls built to manage the sluicing.

A stream on Coal Island, the water tasted earthy and "tannic".

Drizzle set in as we walked back along the stoney beach to our tender boat.

Our next stop was a short but interesting walk to look at a gold mining entrance.

Nearby was a brick smelter built in 1910 designed with a "reclining chimney".
This smelter had just one trial run which was unsuccessful for smelting gold.

The reclining chimney has been partly restored after earthquake damage.