Shantytown - Hokitika
Description
Living history in a recreated gold rush village.
Get a real sense of pioneer New Zealand at Shantytown
While the South Islands West Coast is well known for its magnificent scenery and glaciers no visit to the area is complete without experiencing Shantytown. The discovery of gold in 1864 led to a population "explosion" - from around 300 to almost 30,000 residents. Isolation, rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions produced stories of fortitude and ingenuity.
Shantytown tells these stories through a fascinating mix of experience and displays. Ride the Steam Train along an original tramway through native rainforest, watch out for the wekas! Experience the sights, sounds and smells of a working sawmill, watch the mighty sluice gun in action. View the fantastic new holographic theatre show. Follow the races to the gold claim and then pan for your own gold .