Step back in time and discover a replica gold-rush village set in the late 1800’s. . Discover legendary stories through a fascinating mix of experience and display. Ride the Steam Train through native rain forest, experience the sights and sounds of a working sawmill, watch the sluice gun blast gold bearing rock and soil from the earth, then follow the races to the gold claim and pan for your own gold, a strike is guaranteed! There are over 30 shops and buildings to explore!
Meeting points
Shantytown Heritage Park 316 Rutherglen Rd, Paroa, Greymouth, New Zealand, NZ, 7805
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Itinerary
Shantytown Heritage Park
Shantytown is conveniently located between the West Coast's major towns Greymouth and Hokitika - just 3kms off the main highway (SH6)
Open Daily 10am - 3pm (expect Christmas Day) We recommend you allow at least 90 minutes for the full Shantytown experience.
On arrival you will be provided with a self-guide visitors map - we offer these in 10 different languages so please ask at the ticketing office if we can provide one in your preferred language.
To make the most of your visit please note the heritage train departure times and plan your time at Shantytown around this. Trains leave at 11:00am, 12:30pm & 2:00pm.
Our highly experience gold claim staff can show you the techniques and tips on how to pan for gold. The gold panning experience is $7.00 per pan and can be purchased at the Shantytown Gold Claim.
Onsite facilities include:
• Cafe
• Public Toilets
• Licensed Bar
• Post Office Services
• Playground
• Full conference, Weddings and Event Facilities
Sample Menu
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Free Cancellation
October 28100% refund
October 29No refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
5 stars
21
4 stars
14
3 stars
3
2 stars
4
1 star
3
We perform checks on reviews
We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her
Reviews by TravelOne travelers
Showing 1-5 of 21 reviews with 5 stars
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Manuka track a must
Published on Jan, 2025
Great family day out, spent longer there than we thought we would. The heritage buildings were really cool, Children loved the train, highlight would have to be the beautiful Manuka track round the back of Shantytown through the bush.
Shantytown - Shouldn't be Missed on the West Coast ...
Published on Nov, 2024
This was an amazing experience. the town is awesome, the train fabulous, the gold panning was awesome. Lunch at the Cafe was delicious and well priced and came with out a long wait. An allround excellent experience I would recommend.
Shantytown a must do on the West Coast
Published on Aug, 2024
What an incredible experience made all the better by the friendly staff. The train trip and gold panning were incredible but Chinatown is my stand out memory. How those miners managed to live in such primitive conditions is beyond me.
Interactive, immersive experience of a bygone era
Published on Jun, 2024
From moment I entered Heritage Park I was immersed into a bygone era. The old tearooms provided an excellent cooked breakfast ($18) whilst listening to 1920s music on original radio. Steam train journey was a joy travelling through the rain forest with engaging Driver / Conductor both most informative. The old saw mill with visuals, walking through bush to appreciate how the old gold miners lived and worked with excellent interactive models. Shown the old sluicing ways then able to sluice gold myself. The history at this place is staggering. Visiting the old foundry, seeing old boilers and train engines with total immersion experience. A destination to revisit.
Shantytown something for everyone
Published on Mar, 2024
It was easy to find. We enjoyed the train ride and watching the Weka and chicks. The exhibits were interesting and varied. The the staff and guided were friendly and knowledgeable. We all enjoyed our time there.
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