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Hiking

Coal Creek Falls: a forest walk near Greymouth

ReGear

Walk to Coal Creek Falls near Rūnanga: 3.6 km return, about an hour, with entrance directions, real route maps and practical packing advice.

Coal Creek Falls spilling over a broad rock ledge near Runanga, New Zealand.

At a glance

  • Distance: 3.6 km return on the same track.
  • Walking time: about 1 hour, plus time at the falls.
  • Effort: easy to intermediate; downhill out, uphill back.
  • Start: end of Ballance Street, Rūnanga.

Find the start

From Greymouth, follow SH6 northeast for about 8 km to Rūnanga. Turn right into Seddon Street, then right into Ballance Street. The car park is at the road end. Allow time to find the entrance before starting your walking clock.

Follow the route

  1. Leave the road end. Follow the formed walking track into mixed beech and podocarp forest.
  2. Descend into the valley. The track gently loses height towards Coal Creek. Keep some energy for the climb back.
  3. Reach the falls, then retrace your steps. Make the waterfall your turnaround; there is no loop to complete.

Location and route maps

The wider map places the walk in its region; the closer map highlights the track in orange. Tap either map to enlarge it. Open DOC’s official track page and map for current notices.

Coal Creek Falls location relative to Greymouth on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Coal Creek Falls mapped walking track highlighted orange on real aerial imagery, with its entrance marked and north up.

Effort and facilities

This is a manageable forest outing if you are comfortable walking for an hour. Wet ground and the uphill return can slow the group. Keep children close beside the creek and choose a stable place to stop for photographs.

Carry drinking water and make your toilet stop before leaving town. DOC’s track description does not list visitor services at the falls. Plan a walking visit rather than relying on a swimming stop.

What I would bring

I would bring grippy walking shoes, a rain jacket, drinking water and a small snack. A warm layer is useful when you stop in the shaded valley. Put your phone in a dry pouch, and keep both hands free where the ground is slippery.

Before you go

No dogs. Check the track notice and forecast before driving out; choose another day if heavy rain would make a creekside outing unsuitable. Tell someone where you are walking and when you expect to return. Take all rubbish out.

Read next: Organise your walking pack.

Sources and photo credits

Sources checked 5 October 2026.

Maps: LINZ Basemaps and imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0. Track geometry: Crown copyright, Department of Conservation, DOC Tracks dataset, CC BY 4.0. Location labels and route highlights added.

Photo: Coal Creek Falls 27.jpg — Wildman NZ. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.