Every great attraction has a story, and Shantytown Heritage Park is no exception! Our unique replica town is situated on a site steeped in rich gold-rush and sawmilling history. Discover how a vision for preserving the West Coast’s past transformed into the beloved attraction you see today.
The idea for Shantytown emerged from a pivotal meeting in Greymouth in 1968. A group of passionate railway and vintage car enthusiasts gathered to discuss forming a society dedicated to preserving historical relics and creating a new tourist attraction.
A key figure at that founding meeting was the late A. L. Sutherland MBE, affectionately known to everyone as “Barney”. Barney, a skilled watchmaker and jeweller, also held a keen interest in gold panning as a tourist draw. At the time, he was actively involved with the Marsden Sluicing and Gold Company, a working gold claim nestled amidst the splendid native bush at Rutherglen, near Shantytown’s present location, which was already attracting numerous visitors.
It was Barney’s visionary idea of re-creating an authentic 19th-century West Coast town that was presented and enthusiastically accepted at this meeting. This pivotal moment led directly to the formation of the West Coast Historical and Mechanical Society, the driving force behind Shantytown.
The creation of Shantytown was a monumental community effort, demonstrating the incredible spirit of the West Coast. The community rallied strongly behind this venture, pouring in an amazing total of 10,367 work hours over a period of just eighteen months. This immense volunteer effort was complemented by generous donations of goods and building supplies.
A notable contribution came from the Minister of Mines, Tom Shand, who offered to make building materials and other equipment available without charge. This was particularly significant as the region’s economy was struggling after the closure of the Dobson Mine, and this donation was instrumental in getting Shantytown underway.
Shantytown officially opened its doors to the public on 23 January 1971.
Today, Shantytown Heritage Park remains a testament to that founding vision and community spirit. It operates almost entirely self-supported, receiving no operational funding from central or local government. This allows us to continue preserving and sharing the rich history of the West Coast for generations to come.
Dive deeper into the stories that built Shantytown and the West Coast:
Open Hours: 9 am – 4 pm
Closed: Christmas Day
Morning Train Times: 11am
Afternoon Train Times: 12.30 pm & 2.00pm
