Kawarau Gorge Mining Centre

In authentic surroundings on Gees Flat, where in the past much gold has been won, the visitor may pan for gold with every expectation of finding „colours“, and inspect various methods by which gold has been extracted in the vicinity over the years. A stamper battery has been restored and water races traverse the countryside to feed sluice-guns. The scars of operations dating from the 1860s are still clearly visible and the rock shelters of early Chinese diggers may also be seen.

A huge turbine, used from 1915-40 in an irrigation scheme, was recovered and resited here before Lake Dunstan formed. The lake’s extremity lies a short distance downstream. The area forms part of the Otago Goldfields Park. 8 km W on SH 6. Open daily. Working displays at noon and 3 p.m. daily. Short horse treks around the park, a flying fox high above the river, and white water rafting and white water jet boating over a -series of rapids on the Kawarau River, are all available.