The Brunner Mine was a coal mine on the West Coast of the South Island. It was one of several mines situated on the banks of the Grey River, at an area known as “Coal Gorge” between the townships of Stillwater and Taylorville.

This is one of the country’s earliest industrial sites. Coal was mined and coke, firebricks and other products were manufactured from the 1860s until the 1940s. The area is well interpreted with a short walk around the historic coke ovens, brick factory and the remains of tunnel entrances.

The town of Brunner is nearby and there is a 2km walk you can do around the mine site. But allow at least one hour to explore this historic place. (Note: although the walk is approximately 2 km, the site can be explored without walking the full distance.)