What to do and see in New Zealand, New Zealand: The Best Mines

February 1, 2022 Alice Mieles

New Zealand (/njuːˈziːlənd/ ( listen); Māori: Aotearoa [aɔˈtɛaɾɔa]) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country geographically comprises two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui), and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and around 600 smaller islands. New Zealand is situated some 1,500 kilometres (900 mi) east of Australia across the Tasman Sea and roughly 1,000 kilometres (600 mi) south of the Pacific island areas of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Because of its remoteness, it was one of the last lands to be settled by humans. During its long period of isolation, New Zealand developed a distinct biodiversity of animal, fungal and plant life. The country's varied topography and its sharp mountain peaks, such as the Southern Alps, owe much to the tectonic uplift of land and volcanic eruptions. New Zealand's capital city is Wellington, while its most populous city is Auckland.
Restaurants in New Zealand

1. Goldfields Mining Centre

803 Kawarau Gorge Rd State Highway 6, Cromwell 9310 New Zealand +64 800 111 038 http://www.goldfieldsmining.co.nz/
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 195 reviews

Goldfields Mining Centre

Reviewed By Michalo416 - Hawera, New Zealand

Glad we turned around. Cool self guided walk around the old miners huts and shafts then met up with Bruce who showed us lots of interesting stuff and how to pan for gold. We managed to find 3 pieces to take home. Well priced at $25 each.

2. Goldmine Experience

Main Rd, SH25, Thames 2801 New Zealand +64 7-868 8514 [email protected] http://www.goldmine-experience.co.nz
Excellent
60%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 100 reviews

Goldmine Experience

NOTICE: STEAM DAYS COMING UP QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND, JUNE 2021. We fire up our steam engine only a few times a year. For a unique experience witness a C19th gold-mining plant being run by a steam engine. NO EXTRA CHARGE ON ENTRY FEES - STEAM DAYS, 5, 6, 7 JUNE. For the past 60 years, we have developed our site into the main tourist attraction in Thames, almost entirely with voluntary labour. We take guided tours through C.19th century tunnels, demonstrate ancient gold processing machinery including a big stamper battery (rarely seen today) and visitors can pan for gold and keep any specks they find. Open school holidays in winter 10am-1pm every day and otherwise in winter 10-1 at weekends and public holidays. Spring and Summer open every day 10-4 except Christmas Day, Easter Friday and Anzac Day morning.

Reviewed By kimsK4322IS - Tauranga, New Zealand

This experience is run by fantastic volunteers who are knowledgable about the mining process. They explain how the gold was mined and you get a chance to walk thru two levels of mine shafts. Completely recommend and fine for small children. People taller than 5 6 will spend their time in the shaft bent but it's not too long. Opportunity to learn gold panning as well for the kids

3. Coalmining

Denniston 7891, Denniston, Westport New Zealand +64 3-788 8008
Excellent
60%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 10 reviews

Coalmining

Reviewed By 523lync - Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand

Amazing place a must see to visit. We spent hours in the school house, viewing photos lots to take in must have been a thriving township tucked way up therr.

4. Waiuta Gold Mine

21 Km South of Reefton. Turn onto Waiuta Rd Then Right onto Blackwater Rd, Waiuta 7895 New Zealand https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/west-coast/places/waiuta-area/
Excellent
50%
Good
50%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4 reviews

Waiuta Gold Mine

Reviewed By 202neilb - Auckland, New Zealand

Amazing how a thriving mining town can disappear almost overnight. Spending a couple of hours wandering around the site of the former town of Waiuta is really interesting. Plenty of information boards together with a few surviving buildings (and remnants of) fill in the story. Follow a well sign-posted road off the Greymouth-Reefton highway. The last few kilometres are on a gravel road but it’s in good condition and an easy drive. Worth mixing with visits to the Bruner Mine Historic Area and Reefton to make a good day out if you’re staying on the West Coast.

5. Golden Progress Mine

16 Reef Road, Oturehua 9386 New Zealand https://www.otagocentralrailtrail.co.nz/things-to-see-and-do/historic-sites/#golden-progress-mine
Excellent
60%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
40%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 5 reviews

Golden Progress Mine

Reviewed By Numismatist - Folkestone, United Kingdom

This old gold mine is one of the most evocative places in New Zealand. If you've read the Booker Prizewinning novel "The Luminaries" this will show you what an old gold mine really looked like. The poppet head (winding gear) is still in place, along with the two rusty old boilers that used to power the equipment,. You can see ruins of miners' cottages, one of which is still intact. There was a whole town here once with streets, pubs and a tramway, now it's deserted. You can visit any time you like, although the farmer who owns the land may restrict access during lambing season. Keep to the paths as there may be old mine shafts around! No admission charge, Allow 15 to 20 minutes walk from the Rail Trail.

6. Goldmine Experience

Tararu Road, Thames New Zealand +64 7-868 8514 [email protected] http://www.goldmine-experience.co.nz/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1 reviews

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