South Island

ShantyTown Greymouth

Shantytown Heritage Park | West Coast | South Island | New Zealand | Gold Rush | Living History | Family Fun

Step Back in Time at Shantytown: A West Coast Gold Rush Adventure!

Travel back to New Zealand’s gold rush era at Shantytown Heritage Park, a captivating open-air museum nestled amidst 500 acres of native rainforest on the West Coast of the South Island.

Located just 10 kilometers from Greymouth, Shantytown offers an unforgettable journey through history, transporting you to the bustling gold mining town of the 1860s.

Immerse yourself in a bygone era:

Living History Experience: Shantytown is a meticulously recreated gold rush town, complete with costumed characters, historical reenactments, and working demonstrations. Explore over 30 faithfully-restored buildings, including shops, saloons, blacksmiths, and miners’ cottages, and witness the daily life of the gold rush pioneers.
Interactive Activities: Unleash your inner gold prospector with fun-filled activities like gold panning. Learn the techniques used by miners and try your luck at striking it rich! Shantytown offers a variety of activities suitable for all ages, making it a perfect family outing.
Unveiling Pioneering Stories: Shantytown delves deep into the rich history of New Zealand’s West Coast. Uncover fascinating stories of the gold rush era through informative displays, captivating performances, and knowledgeable guides.
Scenic West Coast Setting: Beyond the historical immersion, Shantytown boasts a stunning natural backdrop. Surrounded by lush native rainforest, the park provides a picturesque setting for your historical adventure.

Shantytown Heritage Park is more than just a museum; it’s a portal to the past. Book your visit today and embark on an unforgettable journey through New Zealand’s gold rush legacy!

Prebook Your Shanty Town Experience
$41:03 Entry includes Steam Train Ride
Opening Hours 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

The entry price includes a ride on one of our two vintage steam trains that follows a sawmill tram track through lush native rainforest to a photo stop.

On the return the train will stop at Infants Creek Sawmill where you will take a short walk to watch a mighty sluice gun blast gold bearing gravel from the cliff face before you try your hand at panning for gold.

Sit back in our restored Hologram Theatre and experience a production that uses hologram technology combining special effects, historic photos and original court records to ensure you are drawn in to the tragic and true story as it unfolds.

Experience the sights and sounds of a milling operation at our replica steam-driven mill as you follow a boardwalk through the mill itself where you will learn the real stories of West Coast characters, hear the screeching machinery and see some century old artefacts.

Old time photos are our speciality and the Gold Nugget Saloon provides the perfect backdrop for your wonderful moment of Shantytown. Pick a costume with lots to choose from including a barmaid, a robber or a poker player.

We offer a couple of short rainforest walks, great for all the family. The 15 minute ‘Lookout Track Loop’ takes you to a lookout over the village where the Surveyors Monument stands, a replica of the iron beacons used in the triangulation surveys of Westland and the 10 minute historic Manuka Track traverses from village to the gold claim area.

With a flying fox, old fashioned lollies, treasure hunts and amazing buildings to explore.

There is plenty to keep everyone occupied for hours on end at Shantytown