Opposite. The Denniston coalfield, town and incline in 1959

The coalfield is here marked by the lighter-coloured, deforested country. Coal was taken out by surface tramways around the eastern side of the field, across the central gully and into the town and processing plant via the 'rope road' (trams were driven by a cable between the rails). Tramways were the easiest form of transport in such rough country. The coal was then transferred to and taken down the self-acting incline to the road and rail points further west along the valley. The forested ridge to the north was the route of the early Koranui incline which shows faintly through the scrub. The large slip at the head of the central gully is about 1 km long.

Above. The slip at the head of the Waimangaroa River. At bottom centre running up to the right is the line of the tramway taking coal to the head of the incline which is out of view at bottom right. The view is to the east.