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Goldmining in Hokitika

Hokitika enjoys a colourful history as the centre of New Zealand's richest gold-producing province. Today, historic goldmining towns, including Ross and Kumara, bear testimony to the gold rush years. The first gold strikes were made during the 1860s and gold continued to be mined until the early 20th century. Those boom and bust times are evident in the remains of ghost towns and long-abandoned mines, but today some 30 commercial goldmines continue to operate.

The following locations offer a chance to experience the area's goldmining history:
  • Ross
    Located 23 kilometres from Hokitika, Ross township is the base for two goldfields walkways, which incorporate gold rush ruins. The local museum records much of the town's early goldmining history.
  • Goldfields Information Centre - Ross
    This working gold mine offers guided walks and gold panning. There is also a miner's cottage and museum.
  • Kumara
    A famous old goldmining town with craft outlets on State Highway 73, 27 kilometres north-east of Hokitika. Visitors can drive to Kumara via the old 1865 gold trail, through the remnants of old workings and the remains of the settlements of Stafford and Goldsborough.
  • Nelson Creek
    Located 30 kilometres from Greymouth, Nelson Creek is used for recreational goldpanning.
  • Moonlight Creek
    Located 42 kilometres from Greymouth in Paparoa State Forest. Visitors can pan for gold, but are asked not to take other minerals and stones from the creek bed.
  • Shantytown
    Greymouth's famous replica goldmining village. The 1897 locomotive Katangata runs a circuit around the village, and visitors can watch sluicing operations or try their hand at panning.
  • West Coast Historical Museum
    Hokitika's goldmining history is captured through relics, documents, photographs and a range of goldmining apparatus.

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