Gillespies Beach

From the wild and remote Gillespies beach you can stand with the Tasman Sea behind you with camera pointed over a canopy of ancient rainforest and Fox Glacier and Aoraki / Mount Cook and Mt Tasman in the background. There are few places in the world where you can experience such contrasts of scenery in one picture perfect view. 

Not only is Gillespies Beach wild and remote – it has a colourful past.  Gold was discovered here in 1865, and the mining madness began.  Evidence of dredging equipment can be found now quietly rusting in the swampland on the Gillespie’s Lagoon Walk. Gillespie’s Lagoon is at the mouth of the Clearwater Creek and is sometimes landlocked. It is an ideal spot to have a soak in the sun warmed water. From the bridges over the creek you can gain one of the most spectacular views of Southern Alps, with the skyline dominated by the cloud piercing Aoraki / Mount Cook.