West Coast’s Shantytown

On the West Coast, 10 kilometres south of Greymouth, Shantytown is a re-creation of a 19thcentury gold-mining town – except it’s much more fun than the real thing would have been.

For a start, there are modernday comforts such as a cafe and toilets, and a shop where you can buy your own gold nugget instead of having to stand ankle-deep in freezing water and panning for something you might never find.

However, you can still get a good idea of how it was for those early hopefuls, with two streets of authentic buildings, a steam train, and a chance to pan for a guaranteed (if you’re careful) glimpse of colour.

Enthusiastic locals keen to preserve the West

Coast’s lively gold-mining history got it all started in the late 1960s, and over the years it’s become an impressively comprehensive representation, many of the buildings being relocated or rebuilt originals.

Those buildings include a church, bank, hotel, barber shop, jail, and blacksmith, all authentically fitted out. Shantytown is populated by suitably dressed friendly volunteers. A short ride behind a vintage steam engine is included with admission.

There is a museum but mainly this is real life, walk-through history that’s easy to relate to and very entertaining. You can watch a sluice gun being demonstrated, get tips on how to retain some of those gold flakes salted in the grit in your pan, and dress up for an old-time photo: pastor, barmaid, bank robber – your choice.

There’s Chinatown to explore, a sawmill, a foundry, a hologram theatre, playground, and shops. You can walk through the bush up to Surveyors Monument for some good views and possibly a cheeky weka encounter along the way.

You’ll be at Shantytown for hours so you’ll need refreshment: King Dick’s cafe does a good lunch, though you should leave room for a morning or afternoon tea with excellent scones.

Have a look inside the glass cases of instruments at Rewa Hospital and give thanks for modern medicine.

Pop down State Hightway 6 to Hokitika for a walk on the driftwood-decorated beach, or a look through its greenstone shops.

On the way there, as you cross the Taramakau River on the new bridge, look over at the old one: Bridge 13 was the last road-and-rail bridge in the country, constructed in 1889.

Adults $33, children (5 to 17 years) $16, with concessions for seniors, students and families. It’s cheaper to book online. Shantytown is open every day except Christmas Day, from 8.30am to 5pm. The train runs up to six times a day.

Don’t be put off by rain – there’s lots of indoor stuff to enjoy, and the potbelly stove in the saloon pumps out heat if it’s chilly. But sunshine is always better.

See shantytown.co.nz.