Gold panning, musuem, heritage trains and cafe! From nothing, Shantytown Heritage Park now flourishes amongst the vibrant rainforest. Where gold hatters and saw-millers formerly toiled …
Gold panning, musuem, heritage trains and cafe! From nothing, Shantytown Heritage Park now flourishes amongst the vibrant rainforest. Where gold hatters and saw-millers formerly toiled for a living. An entire township built on persevering at preserving the 19th Century West Coast experience. Native birds flourish to the point of nuisance (or eating), the sulfur scent of ancient marine life billows forth from hissing steam locomotives, alluvial flakes shimmer in the bottom of every gold pan.
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4.0/5 · 701 reviews
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Oct 13, 2024
We had a lovely morning exploring Shantytown with our granddaughter, aged 6. We enjoyed the train ride and wandering around the buildings. Full review by Ann F
Jun 26, 2024
Our Notable Tours group of 45 loved it here. Staff were so welcoming and helpful right from the start. The train ride with informative drivers, gold panning etc. were well-patronised activities. High… Full review by Andrewlondonmusic
Jun 25, 2024
I last visited Shantytown as a young child and loved it then. So when my partner and I planned a road trip to the South Island I had to make Shantytown a must visit. I was not disappointed. It was ev… Full review by Pam M
As a elderly couple comming just our selves Is this attraction meant for adults and Seniors with enough detailed information for adults to find interesting or is it just a funday out aimed at children?
A:
Hi Guys.. We enjoyed our visit there, and the short train trip, and the history was interesting. Unfortunately there was a large conference on the day we went, and quite a few of the …
Hi Guys.. We enjoyed our visit there, and the short train trip, and the history was interesting. Unfortunately there was a large conference on the day we went, and quite a few of the attractions were closed. If we had known what it was like we probably wouldn't have bothered.
Is this attraction suitable for those with reduced mobility. Are powered mobility scooters available for those who need one. What distances need to be walked between the various attractive NSN on the site? Thanks?
A:
Good question, best get in touch with the Shanty town office. Contact information is available from their website. From memory most of the display shops etc have steps. The …
Good question, best get in touch with the Shanty town office. Contact information is available from their website. From memory most of the display shops etc have steps. The steam train requires climbing steps. Just imagine yourself walking through a country town in the late 1800s. Hope this helps.
Want to try gold panning, is it worthwhile here, where do you go to pan? Any other recommendations for panning, two adults not kids. Thanks.
A:
The gold panning is mapped on site, easy to find when you walk down from the train ride up... and someone turns up there when you arrive. It is fun but you 'pan' a preprepared scoop of …
The gold panning is mapped on site, easy to find when you walk down from the train ride up... and someone turns up there when you arrive. It is fun but you 'pan' a preprepared scoop of gravel that is already loaded onto your pan. Its all over in 10-15 minutes and you come away with a wee phial holding some gold grains.
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