Gillespies Beach

Gillespies Beach

Gillespies Beach is located in the West Coast region of New Zealand, about 21 kilometers from Fox Glacier. It is a remote beach that stands out from typical sandy shores — instead of soft, fine sand, this beach is covered in pebbles.

Gold was discovered at Gillespies Beach in 1865, sparking a frenzied gold rush. Ruthless mining vehicles tore across the beach and into the forest, leaving behind only lonely driftwood and scattered pebbles. This is a beach steeped in history — as you walk along it, scenes of the gold mining era come vividly to life. In the northern part of the beach, there is also a miners’ cemetery, which visitors interested in history can explore. Gillespies Beach is also a great spot for seal watching, where over 1,500 seals gather, creating a lively and energetic scene that brings vitality to the otherwise isolated beach.

Gillespies Beach

Why Go: New Zealand’s most historic beach

Continent: Oceania

Country/Region: New Zealand

Province/State: West Coast Region