Barrack Creek.

This creek enters the Otira River from the east, just below the traffic bridge. It was so named because police barracks were erected there at the time of the gold escort fiasco. When access was made to the West Coast by the construction of the road over Arthur's Pass, the Police Commissioner in Christchurch took elaborate precautions for the safe carriage of gold from the diggings to Christchurch. A bullet-proof wagon was constructed at much expense, barracks were built at Bealey and Barrack Creek, on either side of the range, and equipped with blocks and chains for prospective criminals, and squads of police were given some weeks special training in the art of catching bushrangers. Altogether more than £4,000 was spent.

The gold escort travelled only once, and then with about one ounce of gold. All the gold left Westland by boat.