Lignite pit now a picturesque tourist stop

The Lignite-Pit Scenic Stop in Kapuka in Southland is a disused lignite mine transformed into a 16-acre lakeside garden.  By PETER OWENS.

Just off the Southern Scenic Route, it still features walls of lignite and retains the original pit shape. Paths and gardens go around the lake and include a waterfall that flows over the wall of the pit, and boardwalks and bridges that link the circuits together.

The lignite deposits were first worked in 1904 and the pit is believed to have been among the first worked in the southern region.

The economic viability of the pit was assured when an NZ Rail branch line was set up in 1895 from Mokotua to Gorge Road. The rail link had closed in 1966. 

This pit started as an open cast pit and closed down in 1971. The then working pumps, which pumped water out in order to mine the lignite, were turned off so a lake was formed. 

When the pit was being worked, the mined lignite was broken up with monobel explosives and loaded by a front-end loader equipped with tines four inches apart to screen out the dross. Half a cubic yard could be handled at a time with two yards to the tonne.  

Dave and Maria Sanderson bought the 16-acre property and immediately began to clear what had become a derelict site. In 2004 they began work on the overgrown 16 acres of land by clearing away all the broom and gorse, removing piles of earth, old cars and even dumped fridges.

The Sandersons originally set out to make a garden for themselves and friends, but such was the interest in the site, they soon opened what they now call “The Lignite Pit Scenic Stop” to the general public. 

The Sandersons have used recycled materials to give the garden its distinctive character.

They became the 2006 Innovative Environmental Award Winner after they were nominated by neighbours who were delighted with the cleaned up old pit.