Goldmining in Greymouth
Gold fever first erupted on the West Coast during the 1860s. Greymouth was just one of the centres which sprang up during those boom times to serve the miners heading for finds along the Greenstone and Taramakau rivers at such evocatively-named sites as Blackball and Moonlight. The gold mining era is brought to life at Shantytown, an award-winning replica gold rush town 13 kilometres from Greymouth.
The Gold Trail
- Formerly The Blackball Hilton
A 19th-century pub at the historic gold and coal mining town of Blackball.
- Goldsborough
An old goldmining area, complete with ghost towns, some 35 kilometres south of Greymouth.
- History House Museum
A collection of historic photographs and memorabilia of the West Coast.
- Nelson Creek
A variety of short walking tracks amongst historic gold workings. Gold panning, camping, picnic ground and toilet facilities.
- Shantytown
An authentic 1860s gold rush town with more than 30 buildings, Shantytown offers steam train rides, gold panning and horse and cart rides.
- Waiuta/Big River
Walks explore an old township that was one of the South Island's richest gold mines. There are the remains of mine workings, houses and a crushing battery.
- Woods Creek
A 1 kilometre loop passing through gold workings, past tailraces, tunnels and dams, complete with interpretational panels.
Tourism West Coast
Level 1
112 Mackay Street
Greymouth
Email Tourism West Coast.