Things to do in ross
HERITAGE AREA
- Gold Panning
- Waterwheel
- Sluice nozzle
- Bell Tower
- St Patrick’s Catholic Church
- Old Ross Goal
- Jones Flat Mining
- Original Gold Miners Cottage
HERITAGE AREA
- Gold Panning.
- Waterwheel.
- Sluice nozzle.
- Bell Tower.
- St Patrick’s Catholic Church.
- Old Ross Goal.
- Jones Flat Mining.
- Original Gold Miners Cottage.
MOUNT GREENLAND
Time: 7 hours return hike
This walk follows a very rough and unmaintained road to the top of Mount Greenland. The road is a steady incline and mostly follows an old miner’s pack track. It passes through tall Rimu forest, then several changes in vegetation type can be seen as altitude is gained. On a clear day, the tussock covered top of Mount Greenland has amazing views in every direction.
You should carry warm clothing, a raincoat and take plenty of food and water for the journey. Strong shoes or tramping boots are recommended, and the walk is suitable for those with a medium to good level of fitness.
Check out the tramping huts here
Note: Beyond the summit, the road continues steeply downhill to the site of the old mining village at the back of Mount Greenland. This will add several hours to the journey and is not recommended as a day walk.
MOUNT GREENLAND
Time: 7 hours return
Distance: 18 km return
This walk follows a very rough and unmaintained road to the top of Mount Greenland. The road, which mainly follows an old miner’s pack track, passes through tall rimu forest and climbs steadily. Several changes in vegetation type can be seen as altitude is gained. The top of Mount Greenland (905 meters) has a cover of sub-alpine vegetation and tussock. This walk is best undertaken on a fine day to make the most of the amazing 360 degree views.
You should carry warm clothing, a raincoat, a windproof jacket and take plenty of food and water for the journey. Strong shoes or tramping boots are recommended. This walk will suit those with a medium to good level of fitness.
Note: The road continues steeply downhill to the site of the old mining village at the back of Mt Greenland. This will add several hours to the journey and is therefore not recommended as a day walk.
WATER RACE WALKWAY
Time: 1 hour loop walk
From the carpark at the Ross goldfields Information & Heritage Centre, and following a stone wall pathway and up onto Mt Greenland Road, following Mt Greenland Road for about 15 minutes then turning right at a sign and into the forested track.
The track climbs to an old water race and then follows throughout regenerating native forest, passing numerous old gold workings, including tunnels, several dam sites and a replica miner’s hut. The old Ross Historic Cemetery comes next, and there are sweeping views over Ross and the Tasman Sea. Wandering around, you will discover many a sad tale of drownings and mining accidents from the Gold Rush days. The walkway exits onto St James Street, taking the pathway past the Historic Bell Tower and through the native bush path to De Bakkers Cottage and the poppet Head.
This is a walk that people of a medium to low fitness can enjoy.
NORTHERN HISTORIC CEMETERY
A second Historic Cemetery heading north of the township of Ross, crossing Donnelly’s Creek Bridge and turning left up a narrow roadway. The views overlook the Tasman Sea, The Totara Valley and Mountains. Stroll around the grounds and read the epitaphs to gain an insight into the significance of the history of Ross.
STAR GAZING
For uninterrupted views, both Historic Cemeteries of Ross, the beach and the local Domain are great vantage points for Star Gazing.
GLOW WORMS
A night time jaunt – grab your torch and follow the Greenland Track Road, observing pockets of Glow Worms on the right hand banks and up into the Walkway Track. Follow the entire Walkway back down to the township, as along the track there are many other pockets of Glow Worms. (Inquire at the Information Centre)
CENOTAPH
Outside the Ross School, where the Ross community and visitors assemble every ANZAC Day (25th April). There are monuments with inscriptions of those who laid down their lives during the Wars, Boer War, World War One, World War Two. There were five Ross service men who were decorated for their gallant efforts during their time away in World War One.
Chinese Garden
Ross Chinese Gold Miners Memorial Gardens were initiated in 2014. A local Ross Charity group are leading the project, supported by the Chinese community’s of New Zealand and China. The gardens are acknowledgement to the Chinese pioneers who made Ross their home for many years, during the early gold rush.
In recent years, Community Projects have been undertaken to
highlight even more of the history of Ross.
- A walk along Grimmond Memorial Avenue, past the Oak trees that were replanted in 2014 in acknowledgement of the community’s residents who laid down their lives during the Boer War, World War One and World War Two, including all those who gave service and returned.
- This leads to the Chinese Gold Miners Memorial Gardens that are currently being established, to acknowledge the Chinese pioneer gold miners who lived and worked in Ross, from 1872 to the early 1900’s.
- Further along to the foothills of Grimmond Memorial Avenue, there are Heritage Tramping Tracks being created, to add further outdoor opportunities throughout historic mining areas.