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Mount Bonar track. - 2 PHOTOS -
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DescriptionMOUNT BONAR. Is anyone familiar with this front country hill/range inland of Lake Ianthe? I've come across a couple of historic references to a track up Mt Bonar. I'm wondering if this ever existed as a proper benched track like the one up Mt Rangitoto to the north or was it just a cut track like the tops access up Karnbach Ridge further south on Mt Ashmore. If such a track(s) existed can someone tip me off as to which route it took.
The Mt Bonar Range was prospected for gold from the late 1870's through in to the early 1900's. Payable gold was won at Duffers Creek (but not by many going by the name). There was also gold found in the headwaters of Evans Creek on the south side of the range. Galena, an ore from which lead can be smelted is reported to be present in places on the range. Grazing was attempted on the Bonar Range in the early days but the graziers did not persist for long. Names such as Diedrichs, Karnbach, Gribben and Ferguson (still in the area) were involved with grazing ventures above the bush line?
PHOTO 2:Glenn Johnston.." Well guys I managed to follow the "cable track" ok. It was a 4 hr return trip. The wx started drizzling when about half an hour from the road on the way up but I continued. Views were not much good because of the cloud. There were good rimu trees low down and a few decent miro, hinau, totara (thin barked variety), and kaikawhaka (cedar) as well plus the usual, rata, kamahi, quintinia & pink pine. A few goats were about and there were powelliphanta snails on the track higher up. Two interesting fungi were photographed. My photo shows the trig, which is about 3m high, on the summit and the communication tower next to it."Map[1] ContributorGlenn Johnston
The Mt Bonar Range was prospected for gold from the late 1870's through in to the early 1900's. Payable gold was won at Duffers Creek (but not by many going by the name). There was also gold found in the headwaters of Evans Creek on the south side of the range. Galena, an ore from which lead can be smelted is reported to be present in places on the range. Grazing was attempted on the Bonar Range in the early days but the graziers did not persist for long. Names such as Diedrichs, Karnbach, Gribben and Ferguson (still in the area) were involved with grazing ventures above the bush line?
PHOTO 2:Glenn Johnston.." Well guys I managed to follow the "cable track" ok. It was a 4 hr return trip. The wx started drizzling when about half an hour from the road on the way up but I continued. Views were not much good because of the cloud. There were good rimu trees low down and a few decent miro, hinau, totara (thin barked variety), and kaikawhaka (cedar) as well plus the usual, rata, kamahi, quintinia & pink pine. A few goats were about and there were powelliphanta snails on the track higher up. Two interesting fungi were photographed. My photo shows the trig, which is about 3m high, on the summit and the communication tower next to it."Map[1] ContributorGlenn Johnston
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Location (city or town)Mount Bonar
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Date Created12th February 2020CommentsAllen Brereton climbed to the top several times for a look, the track went up near Adamson creek or as it was called Angle creek. there was a power cable laid to feed the repeaters there, got fried by lightening.there is a rock jump up about 200feet from the road that one has to find a route thru. the track was at best a blazed trail and probably now tricky to find.
Glenn Johnston Thank you for that Allen Brereton. Now is that the NW or SE side of Adamson Creek (True Right or True Left)? Mt Hercules south of Hari Hari has a power cable heading up to the "repeater" on it. That track is no longer maintained but is still followable. I'm happy to head up through untracked bush and scrub but I like to see what remains of historic tracks on my travels.
Andrew McRoberts Glenn Johnston flick me a pm if you want any info I walked walked down the track a couple months ago
Tony Bain I grew up across the road and followed the cable up which started near Adamson creek. Also followed the next creek (not sure what it is called, but the next one down on the flat) though there was at least one water fall but I think there was a rusty ladder you could risk climbing screwed to the side of the fall face.
Ian Gilbertson I think john Nichols went up there several times while doing the triangulation surveys for sf 41 and 42. Think s few went up there chasing chamois
PaulAnthony Teens Ian Gilbertson was he wearing shorts
John Murray Your right it followed the Power Cable that Amethyst Power put up there for their Radio Coverage. P&T put a hut and Radio up there as well with Solar Panels and a Windmilll generator. l see on Google map alongside the culvert that Adamson Creek goes un…See More
Robert Skilton Jesus, now there is a face from the distant past. And you are correct John, the view from up there is stunning on a good day.
Bruce Dando many years ago a airstrip was made on the big flat on the north east side of bonar range,trouble was it got very wet some times and was not used a lot,1972
Alan Davidson Glenn Johnston; Ian Gilberston is correct. My brother Noel went up there several times, is there a trig up there, as Noel was working for John Nicholls, was that in the late 60s, early 70s. To be honest I recall they used a chopper, unsure how many times they walked up there. I will ring Noel and see if he can help you.
Glenn Johnston Thanks Alan but I'm sorted as far as the "cable track" goes now due to help from other posters. I'm still interested in info on possible other tracks on Bonar associated with historic mining/prospecting, grazing or hunting.
Tony Bain I grew up across the road and followed the cable up which started near Adamson creek. Also followed the next creek (not sure what it is called, but the next one down on the flat) though there was at least one water fall but I think there was a rusty ladder you could risk climbing screwed to the side of the fall face.
Glenn Johnston Well guys I managed to follow the "cable track" ok. It was a 4 hr return trip. The wx started drizzling when about half an hour from the road on the way up but I continued. Views were not much good because of the cloud. There were good rimu trees low down and a few decent miro, hinau, totara (thin barked variety), and kaikawhaka (cedar) as well plus the usual, rata, kamahi, quintinia & pink pine. A few goats were about and there were powelliphanta snails on the track higher up. Two interesting fungi were photographed. My photo shows the trig, which is about 3m high, on the summit and the communication tower next to it.
Glenn Johnston Thank you for that Allen Brereton. Now is that the NW or SE side of Adamson Creek (True Right or True Left)? Mt Hercules south of Hari Hari has a power cable heading up to the "repeater" on it. That track is no longer maintained but is still followable. I'm happy to head up through untracked bush and scrub but I like to see what remains of historic tracks on my travels.
Andrew McRoberts Glenn Johnston flick me a pm if you want any info I walked walked down the track a couple months ago
Tony Bain I grew up across the road and followed the cable up which started near Adamson creek. Also followed the next creek (not sure what it is called, but the next one down on the flat) though there was at least one water fall but I think there was a rusty ladder you could risk climbing screwed to the side of the fall face.
Ian Gilbertson I think john Nichols went up there several times while doing the triangulation surveys for sf 41 and 42. Think s few went up there chasing chamois
PaulAnthony Teens Ian Gilbertson was he wearing shorts
John Murray Your right it followed the Power Cable that Amethyst Power put up there for their Radio Coverage. P&T put a hut and Radio up there as well with Solar Panels and a Windmilll generator. l see on Google map alongside the culvert that Adamson Creek goes un…See More
Robert Skilton Jesus, now there is a face from the distant past. And you are correct John, the view from up there is stunning on a good day.
Bruce Dando many years ago a airstrip was made on the big flat on the north east side of bonar range,trouble was it got very wet some times and was not used a lot,1972
Alan Davidson Glenn Johnston; Ian Gilberston is correct. My brother Noel went up there several times, is there a trig up there, as Noel was working for John Nicholls, was that in the late 60s, early 70s. To be honest I recall they used a chopper, unsure how many times they walked up there. I will ring Noel and see if he can help you.
Glenn Johnston Thanks Alan but I'm sorted as far as the "cable track" goes now due to help from other posters. I'm still interested in info on possible other tracks on Bonar associated with historic mining/prospecting, grazing or hunting.
Tony Bain I grew up across the road and followed the cable up which started near Adamson creek. Also followed the next creek (not sure what it is called, but the next one down on the flat) though there was at least one water fall but I think there was a rusty ladder you could risk climbing screwed to the side of the fall face.
Glenn Johnston Well guys I managed to follow the "cable track" ok. It was a 4 hr return trip. The wx started drizzling when about half an hour from the road on the way up but I continued. Views were not much good because of the cloud. There were good rimu trees low down and a few decent miro, hinau, totara (thin barked variety), and kaikawhaka (cedar) as well plus the usual, rata, kamahi, quintinia & pink pine. A few goats were about and there were powelliphanta snails on the track higher up. Two interesting fungi were photographed. My photo shows the trig, which is about 3m high, on the summit and the communication tower next to it.
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West Coast New Zealand History (26th Oct 2020). Mount Bonar track. - 2 PHOTOS -. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 25th Apr 2026 13:15, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/27062