Shantytown Greymouth – Explore a Recreated Gold Rush Town
Shantytown Greymouth – Explore a Recreated Gold Rush Town
Shantytown Greymouth is one of the West Coast’s most unique attractions, offering a step back in time to New Zealand’s 1860s gold rush era.
Located just outside Greymouth, this fully recreated gold mining town features historic buildings, interactive experiences, and hands-on activities including gold panning, vintage train rides, and live demonstrations.
Whether you’re travelling with family or exploring the West Coast, Shantytown is a must-do experience that brings New Zealand’s gold rush history to life.
What Can You Do at Shantytown Greymouth?
✔ Explore a recreated 1860s gold mining town
✔ Try gold panning and keep what you find
✔ Ride a vintage steam train through native bush
✔ Visit the museum and historic buildings
✔ Watch live demonstrations and interactive exhibits
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 unique open-air experience set within 500 acres of native rainforest on the West Coast.
Just 10 minutes from Greymouth, Shantytown recreates the sights, sounds and stories of a bustling 1860s gold mining town.
$42:50 pp Adult – $20 Child Entry includes Steam Train Ride
Opening Hours 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
What’s Included at Shantytown
Your entry to Shantytown includes a range of interactive experiences, historic attractions, and family-friendly activities set within a recreated gold rush town.
Steam Train Ride
Enjoy a ride on one of Shantytown’s vintage steam trains, following a historic sawmill tram track through lush native rainforest to a scenic photo stop.
Gold Panning Experience
At Infants Creek Sawmill, watch a powerful sluice gun in action before trying your luck at gold panning — and keep what you find.
Hologram Theatre
Step into the past with an immersive hologram theatre experience, combining special effects, historic photos, and real stories from the West Coast gold rush.
Working Sawmill & Historic Displays
Walk through a replica steam-powered mill and discover the sights, sounds and characters of early West Coast life, with working machinery and authentic artefacts.
Old-Time Photo Experience
Dress up in gold rush costumes and capture your Shantytown experience at the Gold Nugget Saloon — a fun and memorable highlight.
Short Walks & Scenic Tracks
Explore easy rainforest walks including the Lookout Track Loop and Manuka Track, offering views over the village and access to historic gold mining areas.
Family-Friendly Activities
With a flying fox, treasure hunts, old-fashioned lollies and interactive exhibits, there’s plenty to keep visitors of all ages entertained.
There is plenty to keep everyone occupied for hours at Shantytown — making it one of the top things to do in Greymouth and on the West Coast.
Phone: +64 3 762 6634 Freephone (NZ only) 0800 742 689
Email: [email protected] Visit our Website: www.shantytown.co.nz/
Is Shantytown Greymouth Worth Visiting?
Yes — Shantytown is one of the top attractions on the West Coast, offering a unique mix of history, hands-on activities, and family-friendly experiences. It’s a great stop when travelling between Greymouth and Hokitika, especially for those wanting more than just scenic viewpoints.
With gold panning, a vintage steam train ride, and interactive exhibits, Shantytown provides an engaging and memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
Shantytown Greymouth FAQs
Shantytown is a recreated 1860s gold rush town near Greymouth, featuring historic buildings, interactive exhibits, gold panning, and a vintage steam train ride.
Your entry includes access to the recreated gold rush town, gold panning, museum displays, live demonstrations, and a ride on the vintage steam train.
Most visitors spend between 2 to 4 hours exploring Shantytown, depending on how many activities and experiences they choose to take part in.
Yes, Shantytown is very family-friendly, with activities such as gold panning, treasure hunts, short walks, and interactive exhibits suitable for all ages.
Shantytown is located around 10 minutes south of Greymouth on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
Shantytown is typically open daily from 9:00am to 4:00pm, but hours may vary seasonally.
Prebooking is recommended, especially during peak travel periods, to secure your preferred visit time.