Charleston, New Zealand

Charleston
The Charleston Goldfields Public Hall
The Charleston Goldfields Public Hall
Map
Coordinates: 41°54′25″S 171°26′17″E / 41.90694°S 171.43806°E / -41.90694; 171.43806
CountryNew Zealand
RegionWest Coast
DistrictBuller District
WardWestport
Electorates
Government
 • Territorial AuthorityBuller District Council
 • Regional councilWest Coast Regional Council
 • Mayor of BullerJamie Cleine
 • West Coast-Tasman MPMaureen Pugh
 • Te Tai Tonga MPTākuta Ferris
Charleston with Paparoa Mountains in the background
Monument to gold mining history

Charleston is a village in the South Island of New Zealand located 30 km south of Westport. It was founded as a goldmining town after a major goldrush in 1867, and is now an adventure tourist village noted for its extensive limestone caves and caving experiences. Guided tours of the nearby Metro Cave / Te Ananui Cave are operated out of Charleston and travel up the Waitakere / Nile River valley.