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.