In just 92 minutes, we aim to turn your pristine idea of our wild region upside down—revealing the real story of environmental destruction, adaptation, and regeneration that has defined life here.
In turn, you’ll discover why West Coasters have such a unique local culture and are truly considered “Pioneers by nature” both in mindset and through their efforts to utilise a thin strip of isolated landscape.
Some 83% of New Zealand’s West Coast is today tied up in conservation land. A region stretching 600 kilometres top to bottom and no more than 80 kilometres wide. Bounded by the Tasman Sea to the West and the inscrutable Southern Alps to the East.
However, when early European explorers finally broke through the mountain barriers and dense seaside vegetation, an influx of manmade change kicked off.
The second half of the 1800’s drew migration to The Coast at a rapid rate, outpacing Auckland City’s ports at times during the same period. A melting pot of tenacious people from around the world, all arriving in pursuit of resources such as gold, coal and timber.
Pick axes, saws, explosives, fire, water, and technological advancements drove huge transformation of the once natural environment.
Trees dropped for timber and farmland, entire hillsides disappeared, rivers moved to uncover hidden gold, mountains were hollowed out from all directions and much more… everything in the endeavour of personal prosperity and to support the development of New Zealand as a nation.
Where large forests of ancient behemoths once stood for millennia, today you will see stunted regrowth trying to reach its ancestral glory. Historic tool marks still scar many mossy stumps hidden in the foliage.
When a forest also grew over gold deposits, all hell broke loose. The ground being dugout, blown up, sluiced, shifted, stacked…
Sandy bottomed rivers bearing gold have had their courses diverted and their contents extracted down to the bedrock. Leaving all but the largest rocks behind. In some cases waterways now flow underground except in a substantial rainstorm…
The above are but a few examples of how at first glance, what may appear to you as a West Coast panoramic vista, is actually a proxy landscape of a once great environment now recovering.
Despite this seemingly one sided war for riches. The landscape did manage to fight back.
The famous West Coast rain could make 19th-century life a misery, or end it entirely. Drowning was known nationally as the ‘West Coast Death’ and many settlers fell victim to the sheer volume of water that could purge from the skies causing flash flooding, landslides, and unanticipated cases of exposure.
Sawmillers lost life or limbs in tree felling accidents, bush train derailings, vanishing through voids of sawdust piles, and 101 other great ways to become your mates story retold over a bottle of grog.
Speaking of grog, there was always plenty of that to go around too, with glass bottles littering former sites of habitation if your eyes are keen and knowing.
Since 1971, Shantytown has been showcasing the 19th-century stories and objects that defined development of the modern West Coast, including our impact on both the environment and New Zealand.
“We have helped millions of visitors experience the West Coast in a more deeply connected and truthful way, with a few tall stories thrown in for their enjoyment!”
Perfect activities for all ages, whatever the weather… especially as we only take a break on Christmas Day!
There are plenty more other little tid-bits of surprise and delight for those wanting to dig deeper under the surface.
For the more discerning “slow paced” visit, numerous displays and information panels flesh out the true West Coast origin story of those early pioneers. Shantytown largely covers a timespan of 1864 and the goldrush era, through to the 1930’s and the Great Depression!
1877 built L508 “Gertie”
Avonside Engine Company, Bristol.
Train Timetable: 10.45 am, 11.45 am,
1.15 pm, 2.15 pm and 3.15 pm
Gates Open: 9am-4pm
Cafe, Photos, & Gold Panning open from 10 am.
We recommend you allow at least 90 minutes to experience our award-winning attractions. Click image to view details.
Shantytown Heritage Park is home to the West Coast Events Centre – ideal for hosting small, intimate meetings up to large corporate events of up to 600 delegates. Read more…
A wedding at Shantytown is like no other. Private bush clad location, authentic historic church, full on-site catering and support, while stunning photo opportunities abound. Read more…
We provide hands on and active learning programmes for students aged 5-18. Our Centre offers a broad range of programmes covering all areas of the curriculum, suitable for most topic areas. If we don’t have anything you are looking for we will endeavour to create a programme which suits your learning intentions. Read more…
Shantytown is conveniently located between the West Coast’s major towns, Greymouth and Hokitika – just 3kms off the main highway (SH6).
Open Hours: 9 am – 4 pm
Closed: Christmas Day
Morning Train Times: 10.45 am & 11.45 am
Afternoon Train Times: 1.15 pm, 2.15 pm & 3.15pm
