This picture shows a now derelict miners cottage with a "singlemans" hut tacked on the end of it. These structures are the last of the original accomodation buildings from the mining days at Big River that are still standing. On the hill in the background you can see the current DOC hut.

Last visit I mountain biked in the 4x4 road to visit the huts. Besides the 4x4 road there are various walking tracks that go to Big River. The best maintained of these is from Waiuta. Lower standard options exist from two places on State Highway 7 beside the Inangahua River. A totally unmaintained route exists from just south of Reefton Saddle on SH7. This route in the Slab Hut Creek catchment is unmarked & is interesting as it traverses lots of old alluvial gold workings & sections of old miners tracks.