A guided tour takes you through an operational,19th century Stamper Battery & into one of the richest goldmines of the time.
A self-guided tour allows you to explore the photographic museum, view a video presentation, discover mining relics, see steam-powered machines, & become acquainted with our Cave Weta colony.
Try your luck at gold panning!
THE THAMES GOLD FIELD:
The first major discovery of gold was made on August 10, 1867 by a prospector, William Hunt, in a waterfall in the bed of the Kuranui Stream. This mine produced over 102,353oz bullion and was known as the Shotover.
The era from 1868 to 1871 were the bonanza years for the town with gold production topping one million pounds sterling at its peak. Official figures for production of the Thames Mines recorded a yield of 2,327,619oz bullion with the value at $845 million.