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Antimony Mines Track

Follow a sidetrack off the Queen Charlotte walking Track to explore the Antimony mining era.

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Antimony is a lead-grey ore often found in quartz rock. It was used to make pewter, ammunition and print type, and is still used in lead-acid batteries and solder. 

Ore containing antimony was discovered in the area in 1873. Several companies attempted to mine the ore over the following 30 years, however mining ended in 1901. 50 men and some families lived at the mine settlement at Endeavour Inlet from 1885 until 1892, with enough children in the area to sustain a school until 1895.

The track gets steeper after the passing the antimony treatment site and a number of horizontal mine shafts, ending at the 'Number One Cut' on the saddle between Endeavour Inlet and Port Gore.

Length

3.9km (2 hours return)

Grade

Advanced: tramping track

Access

The track begins at Endeavour Inlet, located along the Queen Charlotte Track, which can be accessed from Kenepuru Road, from Linkwater. Alternatively, water taxi services are available from Picton. You can also hire yachts, launches, motorboats, and sea kayaks.

Conditions & closures

Map