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Shanty Town

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Shanty Town is on the West Coast of South Island just outside of Greymouth.  Its about 3 hours drive from Christchurch via Arthurs Pass ( less if you let your sister the ambulance driver drive)

The drive itself is worth the trip alone via some of the most beautiful mountain passes anywhere. On the way to Arthurs Pass you travel by many of the areas ski fields, very different in the summer time but still awesome.

Arthurs Pass is a great spot to stop for a break & a bite. If you are in no rush its also a nice spot to stop for a couple of days & do some walking in the hills.

We did the drive as a day trip & still had plenty of time to enjoy Shanty Town.  check out the Shanty Town website to see all they have to offer & how to find it.   www.shantytown.co.nz 

The photos above give you an idea of the fun to be had. There is a short ride on the old stream engine followed by a walk back to town via the saw mill with its "small" logs & a working display of how the mill was.

Next is a chance to pan for gold & actually get some real gold to take home. I loved this because although i have done it before at other gold towns in australia noone has taken the time to actually show how to do it. The staff at shanty town were great showing the kids, big & small, how to pan for their gold.

Getting around town is easy on the Tim Drawn Carriage

This mean machine will be a great ride, as soon as I figure out how to start it

Don't try to steal any gold in this town, they are tough.

VERY PUBLIC loos are available if needed, they did it tough back in the good old days ( FYI the modem dunny is at the top of the street )

 

Be sure to check out all the displays & buildings around town. The hospital will make you want to stay healthy.

The fire station is amazing & there is so much more.

There is a bar if you are thirsty, an ice cream place if its a hot day - be sure to try the hokey pokey ice cream if you are from overseas.

There is also a full cafe with all the good kiwi stuff, like a steak & cheese pie, lollie cake & a bottle of L&P.

 

All in all a great place to visit & its a lot of fun just getting there. 

 

 

newzealand@visitmytown.com