Gold Discovery Centre
Gold Discovery Centre
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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4.5
102 reviews
Excellent
63
Very good
29
Average
7
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Andy S
London, UK16 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
First and foremost, Karen and Eddie were incredibly helpful and flexible - 5* service. The museum was really interesting and we also enjoyed the walk around the open cast gold mine. We also hired bikes from here and did the 50km Waihi / Paeroa ride through the Karangahake Gorge.
Written 15 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vince Picone
6 contributions
Apr 2021
This activity was given a top rating in the NZ Lonely Planet. There were 3 of us, all adults, who really enjoyed the whole experience. Well laid out with lots of interactive displays giving a wealth of information about the gold mining in this town. Spent most of our morning here. The I-Site staff are very welcoming and helpful.
Written 5 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suzanne vdAa
13 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We were greeted by two very friendly faces that took us through the workings of how everything ran. As we had come off the street I didn't have approved footwear. I was provided with covered in shoes. The man driving the minivan was informative and willing to answer questions.
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tania C
3 contributions
Jul 2021
We contacted the Waihi Gold Discovery Centre as we had a small window to get away, wanted to cycle part of the Haruaki Rail Trail and after having a look online I was going round in circles!
I spoke to Eddie at the Centre,... wow! Within an hour I had an email suggested itinerary, accommodation, shuttle and pricing.
We went with his suggestions, everything was just perfect. Awesome to deal with with, friendly and organised.. all the local knowledge. Ride was amazing, bikes comfy and well maintained. The gorge a highlight! Pub and restaurants and the locals fabulous in Waihi and Paeroa. Walked the gold mine and also soaked at Athenree pools. Would absolutely recommend and return :)
I spoke to Eddie at the Centre,... wow! Within an hour I had an email suggested itinerary, accommodation, shuttle and pricing.
We went with his suggestions, everything was just perfect. Awesome to deal with with, friendly and organised.. all the local knowledge. Ride was amazing, bikes comfy and well maintained. The gorge a highlight! Pub and restaurants and the locals fabulous in Waihi and Paeroa. Walked the gold mine and also soaked at Athenree pools. Would absolutely recommend and return :)
Written 4 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Adele R
Queenstown, New Zealand4 contributions
Mar 2024 • Friends
Our visit to the Centre & Museum was great with a welcoming & informative team. Our trip to learn more about the mining with our Guide Paul was excellent. He was very knowledgeable and personable, making it an enjoyable and memorable experience. Great job Team Waihi Gold 🤩
Written 23 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anthony G
Wellington, New Zealand1,473 contributions
Oct 2020 • Family
If you’re in Waihi and looking for stuff to do, especially with the kids, you’ll prob coke across this place and think to yourself, “well there’s not much else on so let’s give it a go”.
To be honest it’s one of the best decisions you’ll make because it’s actually really good. Lots of good exhibitions and really interest stories about the town and its history. Even my 6/3 year olds loved it. Very much recommended.
To be honest it’s one of the best decisions you’ll make because it’s actually really good. Lots of good exhibitions and really interest stories about the town and its history. Even my 6/3 year olds loved it. Very much recommended.
Written 10 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve K
Auckland Central, New Zealand277 contributions
Jan 2021
This was part of a package we took alongside a the minibus trip tour of the mining in the area. Turned out to be really cool, very interesting, and, although quite small, really well done.
Would def recommend as part of the package but even by itself.
Would def recommend as part of the package but even by itself.
Written 3 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol
Auckland, New Zealand63 contributions
Sept 2020
An interactive tour of the gold mining history of Waihi. Buttons to push and machinery to operate plus videos to watch. We were there for 2 hours and well worth it. Look out for Topsy, a lovely little character from the past.
Written 2 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vtel
Tauranga10 contributions
I can't complain too much about the newly opened gold discovery centre as the attraction itself is great with lots of interactive sites and information galore. The hologram movie is deadly boring but apart from that it is very good. Our 5 and 4 year old were bit small for it but slightly older kids would enjoy.
Now the negative, the price is out of this world. $62 for 2x adults and one child, our 4 year old was free thank goodness. I place this up with Kelly Tarltons for ripoff. From a local resident (Tauranga) you have made a really serious miscalculation with your pricing and I would urge you to review it. Kelly Tarltons can get away with it in Auckland but Waihi is not Auckland. In my view it is worth a third of what your charging. A reputation for value for money is what will get people in the doors. I'm normally a staunch supporter of local attractions but this is simply way over priced and that's dissapointing for locals and tourism.
Now the negative, the price is out of this world. $62 for 2x adults and one child, our 4 year old was free thank goodness. I place this up with Kelly Tarltons for ripoff. From a local resident (Tauranga) you have made a really serious miscalculation with your pricing and I would urge you to review it. Kelly Tarltons can get away with it in Auckland but Waihi is not Auckland. In my view it is worth a third of what your charging. A reputation for value for money is what will get people in the doors. I'm normally a staunch supporter of local attractions but this is simply way over priced and that's dissapointing for locals and tourism.
Written 26 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Saffy2
Auckland Central, New Zealand104 contributions
Apr 2016 • Family
$30 for an adult and child is ridiculous for this small museum in a small country town. I don't know how any local can afford this. The museum has nice (and working!) interactives and is overall well presented but there is so much crammed into the 3 spaces that you get a superficial overview about Waihi and gold mining. The exhibit barely mentions about Waihi prior to white settlement and the life of the Maori who were there. The exhibits also barely acknowledge any other minorities or the women and especially children. The area which discusses modern gold mining is really lacking on content and interpretation and feels like a front for the gold mining company.
Written 9 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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