Shantytown Heritage Park

Te rohe - Location
Rutherglen Road, Paroa, Greymouth

Ngā haora mahi - Opening hours
Shantytown is open EVERY day except on Christmas Day.
Winter hours: 10.00am - 3.00pm.
Summer hours: 9.00am - 4.00pm

Te utu - Admission
Adults $38, Student/Senior $29, Children (5-17 years) $19.
Discounted family passes are available.

Visit www.shantytown.co.nz for more information.

Shantytown is located on Rutherglen Road, Paroa, just 10Km south of Greymouth, on the West Coast of the South Island. A reconstructed pioneer village nestled amongst regenerating native bush, Shantytown tells fascinating true stories and has a number of engaging, interactive activities making it one of New Zealand’s premier cultural and heritage experiences.

Visitors are able to observe and participate in the history that helped form the heart of the nation. Activities include gold panning learn the art from experienced tutors and take home a sample of genuine West Coast gold. Two historic Steam trains run on an original bush tramway to where the history of the West Coast timber history is portrayed at the Sawmill Experience.

The Shantytown collection is estimated to contain about 10,000 objects, 700 photos, 300 archives and over 100 textiles. Cataloguing is done on Past Perfect museum software. Each item has a detailed description and a digital photograph is attached to each record. The collection is assessed for its suitability for the displays and/or for conservation work. collections@shantytown.co.nz

Ngā momo kohinga -
Collection Strengths

Social history

Technology

Ngā wāhi -
Facilities

Education programme
Wheelchair access
Free Wi-Fi
Function space
Toilets
Parking
Café
Other facilities

Cafe: serving light meals and refreshments throughout the day. During the Summer period the Beehive store serves old fashioned sweets and New Zealand ice cream.

Golden Nugget Saloon: serving the beverage of your choice, and the setting for dressing in period costume to sit for an old-time photograph.

Shantytown is also a conference, event and wedding venue - providing a unique setting, and experience for those attending. Specialised on-site catering provides for groups for groups of 20 to 600. Weddings are held in the faithfully restored 1865 village church.

LEOTC facility
Marsden Valley Education Centre: schools from all over New Zealand and the world visit the centre, which boasts a range of learning programmes based on the colourful history of the West Coast.