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Beach · Fox Glacier, West Coast
Gillespies Beach
Dark-sand and driftwood beach on the Tasman Sea, about 20 km from the village of Fox Glacier, where there was a gold-mining settlement in the 1860s. Campsite and coastal tracks.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Gillespies Beach
Gillespies Beach is at the end of a roughly 20 km road, partly unsealed, that leads from the village of Fox Glacier to the sea. It is a dark-sand beach with stones and driftwood, facing the Tasman Sea, with the Southern Alps visible in the background on clear days.
In the 1860s, during the gold rush, there was a settlement of miners who extracted gold from the beach sand. Traces remain from that time, such as a miners’ cemetery and old machinery near the tracks.
There is a basic Department of Conservation campsite and tracks along the coast and through the forest, including the route to Galway Beach to the north. The place is remote, with few visitors, and the sea is open—unsuitable for swimming.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
1 to 3 hours, depending on walks.
Best time
Late afternoon, with clear skies, to see the mountains and the sunset over the sea. Avoid just after heavy rain, when the unsealed road can be poor.
How to get there
It is about 20 km from the village of Fox Glacier, via Cook Flat Road and then an unsealed road, passing the Te Kopikopiko o te Waka viewpoint.
Tip
The sea is open and rough, not suitable for swimming. Bring insect repellent and food; there are no services at the beach.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Gillespies Beach
How do you get to Gillespies Beach?
By car from Fox Glacier, about 20 km, with the final section on an unsealed road. There is no public transport.
Can you swim at Gillespies Beach?
Not recommended: the sea is open, with strong waves and currents.
What is there at Gillespies Beach?
Dark sand, driftwood, views of the Southern Alps, a simple campsite, and trails that pass by remnants of the former gold mining.