We’ve always wanted to check out the Gold Diggings Museum on the side of the Kawerau Gorge.

After parking Rafe in their huge carpark, Fiona and I crossed their bridge across the Kawerau river and checked in for a guided tour of the Gold mining area there.

Click on an Image for Hi res

The whole gorge was a really intensive gold mining area. The cost is $25 per person whether you go guided or unguided. Why would you not take the tour thought I for the same price ?

The tour guide Bruce was great. A fantastic sense of humour and knew everything there was to know about the area and Goldmining. There were 8 on our tour and after explaining the history and some interesting facts on the geology and seeing some nice pieces of Gold, we were off.

The first thing we were to see was a full working water powered stamper battery. Amazing that water has that much power and these were put togthether with some pretty rudimentary tools.

Bruce also showed us the sluicer in action again from gravity fed water. Amazing the power and pressure.

After this, we could have a go at panning for Gold. No nuggets were found by us this day 🙂 but it was fun having a go !

Click on the Gallery below for a Slideshow

On the way to the Stamper Battery

Miners Shed

Left over bits

Some of the old gear

Fiona checking out a miners hut

The Village from above

A mine

A Miners hut

After this, we headed off on the track to look at the Chinese mining village up on the hill. Amazing that they lived in these conditions for months at a time and it must have been cold in winter.

We also saw some tunnels, some mines and a water powered air compressor for breaking up rocks.

As we walked back down towards the carpark we saw a building all set up as a bank for the Goldminers.

A great setup and we really enjoyed learning about the Gold and the history of the area.