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HomePrivacyTerms and conditionsAbout this site
© Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga 2026.
 
Invincible Mine Site

Rees Valley Road, GLENORCHY

Public

Historic Place Category 2

List No. 5603

Quick links:
List GalleryLocationDetails
Invincible Mine Site. | Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
Invincible Mine Site ruins in Rees Valley, Otago. Reference No.MNZ-1724-1/4-F. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand, must be obtained before any re-use of this image | R W Willett | 01/06/1930 | Alexander Turnbull Library
Invincible Mine Site. | Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
Invincible Mine Site ruins in Rees Valley, Otago. Reference No.MNZ-1724-1/4-F. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand, must be obtained before any re-use of this image | R W Willett | 01/06/1930 | Alexander Turnbull Library

List Entry Information

Overview

Status
Listed

List Entry Status
Historic Place Category 2

Access
Able to Visit

List Number
5603

Date Entered
14th June 1985

Date of Effect
14th June 1985

City/District Council
Queenstown-Lakes District

Region
Otago Region

Legal description

Sec 1 Blk XII Earnslaw SD, SO 18563 (Invincible Mine Historic Reserve, NZ Gazette 1979 p.570)

Detailed List Entry
Reference

Public NZAA Number

E40/58

Report Written By

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Otago/Southland Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. From Peter Petchey (3 Jun 2010), archaeologist and author of 1995 conservation plan for the Invincible Mine site: The battery was not demolished, and the main battery posts and camshaft remain on site (the mortar boxes and stampers were removed when the plant shut down). However, they have fallen down through natural decay. Likewise, the water wheel has collapsed, although it is still partially intact where it is within the wheel pit (ie, the above ground section has collapsed). In other words, the site still consists of: The restored set of 7 berdans The partially intact (but collapsed) battery The partially collapsed water wheel The battery and associated infrastructure site (the terrace on the mountain side where everything happened) The mines The mine road The buddle and associated features on the river flats at the base of the hill. Registration should cover the whole complex, as they were functionally linked. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Historic or recreation reserve

Former Usages

General Usage:: Cultural Landscape

Specific Usage: Industrial/mining landscape

Themes

Web Links

Overview

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Able to Visit

List Number

5603

Date Entered

14th June 1985

Date of Effect

14th June 1985

City/District Council

Queenstown-Lakes District

Region

Otago Region

Legal description

Sec 1 Blk XII Earnslaw SD, SO 18563 (Invincible Mine Historic Reserve, NZ Gazette 1979 p.570)

Status

Listed

List Entry Status

Historic Place Category 2

Access

Able to Visit

List Number

5603

Date Entered

14th June 1985

Date of Effect

14th June 1985

City/District Council

Queenstown-Lakes District

Region

Otago Region

Legal description

Sec 1 Blk XII Earnslaw SD, SO 18563 (Invincible Mine Historic Reserve, NZ Gazette 1979 p.570)

Reference

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Public NZAA Number

E40/58

Other Information

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Otago/Southland Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. From Peter Petchey (3 Jun 2010), archaeologist and author of 1995 conservation plan for the Invincible Mine site: The battery was not demolished, and the main battery posts and camshaft remain on site (the mortar boxes and stampers were removed when the plant shut down). However, they have fallen down through natural decay. Likewise, the water wheel has collapsed, although it is still partially intact where it is within the wheel pit (ie, the above ground section has collapsed). In other words, the site still consists of: The restored set of 7 berdans The partially intact (but collapsed) battery The partially collapsed water wheel The battery and associated infrastructure site (the terrace on the mountain side where everything happened) The mines The mine road The buddle and associated features on the river flats at the base of the hill. Registration should cover the whole complex, as they were functionally linked. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.

Historical and Associated Iwi / Hapū / Whānau

Public NZAA Number

E40/58

Other Information

This place was identified as significant under previous legislation with different information requirements. It remains significant under the current legislation. There is opportunity under our legislation and policies to add to this information. Further information about this place may be available from the Otago/Southland Office of Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga. From Peter Petchey (3 Jun 2010), archaeologist and author of 1995 conservation plan for the Invincible Mine site: The battery was not demolished, and the main battery posts and camshaft remain on site (the mortar boxes and stampers were removed when the plant shut down). However, they have fallen down through natural decay. Likewise, the water wheel has collapsed, although it is still partially intact where it is within the wheel pit (ie, the above ground section has collapsed). In other words, the site still consists of: The restored set of 7 berdans The partially intact (but collapsed) battery The partially collapsed water wheel The battery and associated infrastructure site (the terrace on the mountain side where everything happened) The mines The mine road The buddle and associated features on the river flats at the base of the hill. Registration should cover the whole complex, as they were functionally linked. Please note that entry on the New Zealand Heritage List/Rarangi Korero identifies only the heritage values of the property concerned, and should not be construed as advice on the state of the property, or as a comment of its soundness or safety, including in regard to earthquake risk, safety in the event of fire, or insanitary conditions.

Further Information

Current Usages

Uses: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Historic or recreation reserve

Former Usages

General Usage: Cultural Landscape

Specific Usage: Industrial/mining landscape

Current Usages

Uses: Civic Facilities

Specific Usage: Historic or recreation reserve

Former Usages

General Usage: Cultural Landscape

Specific Usage: Industrial/mining landscape

Location

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