3. The Gold Discovery Centre & Tours

The award-winning Gold Discovery Centre is an interactive museum/ information centre that honours the efforts of Waihi's goldmining forefathers, and explores the weight of the remaining legacy. From start to finish, there's a lot to unearth here, from the first prospectors to the mining strike of 1912 (a story that's told through a clever short ghost theatre experience) and the handson how-to of gold-mining. With plenty to keep kids occupied, from designing gold necklaces to checking out the enormous Lego recreation of the mine, the centre is a good place for rainy or ‘I'm sick of sand' days. Located opposite the Martha Mine pit, the Gold Discovery Centre also runs tours out to the working mines to allow knowledge learnt inside the discovery centre to be put to use in the outside world. Gold diggers, golden oldies and future prospectors all welcome. Tours run 7 days – covered shoes are essential. 126 Seddon Street, Waihi. (07) 863 9015, golddiscoverycentre.co.nz