Goldmining licenses have been issued for land around here since the 1860's and small-scale dredging for gold in the Buller river continues today. White's Creek once boasted a small settlement of tents and shanties. The Newton Hotel (now the Newton Livery) would have provided a welcome night out to compare notes with those working the Newton flat claims.

White's Creek never grew to the settlement proportions of Lyell, rather it remained an alluvial mining shantytown as hopes held out for the big quartz lead that was never found. Renewed interest in the area surfaced during the late 1920's when gold rose in value. White's Creek took on a new lease of life with The Buller Diversion Goldmining Company Ltd.

The White Creek Fault

Seventeen people died in the 1929 Murchison Earthquake which occured in mid-winter and caused many spectacular slips, cut roads and dammed rivers. The quake, of magnitude 7.8, was centred under the White Creek fault where the 4.5m uplift can still be clearly seen.

During the June 17 quake, the gorge reverberated with booming sounds, and people found it impossible to stand as trees and boulders crashed around them. families had to clamber over landslides and through thick mud to get to Murchison.

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