We used to like this place - it was still a decade ago a buzzing fun place bringing you something like 100 years back in time. Old tram, old train, a handful of museums, some old crafts on show and on many weekends people dressed in settlers clothes. Interesting and a great place for children.
We returned on a sunny Sunday in September and expected a fun day with our grand child ... however, never seen Ferrymead that sleepy (on a sunny and open Sunday). Hardly any visitors, no kids, the tram only driving on request, Some museums closed for fathers day (Pardon me?), the cinema closed and only one house attended. Ok, this was the highlight, two friendly women in settlers clothes selling chocolate apples. Good stuff, but where was the rest of the crew?
Where did all the buzz go? Where the life animals? And lets face it - without the buzz its mainly dusty old stuff and some rubbish from the nightly light show hanging around.
I realise that Ferrymead is dependent on many volunteers - and Covid was probably not nice to them either. Concerned however that they might kill the place with trying too much with not enough helpers. Open it, if you are resourced and close it (and appropriately communicate) if you are not ... otherwise - its easy to destroy a brand, and you are well on the way to do that.
We have been disappointed - rating should probably be poor, but I still try to be helpful and full of hope.
Haven't been here for many years, was really quite interesting having a walk around the site, staff were really friendly and helpful.
Only downside was that we came back to find our car had been broken into in the carpark, which is apparently getting quite common here going by the what the staff told us and the warning signs. Just something to be aware of.
Visited this park today. Such a disappointment. With such a large site offering potentially many visitor attractions i had quite high expectations. Sadly this followed the pattern i have experienced in other attractions in this country.
The simple unexplainable fact is that New Zealand is really poor at hospitality and delivering decent visitor attractions. I can only assume that it is due to poor levels of expectation from the home market.
This site is massive but offers no refreshment facilities at all within the site. The site lacks spark and vitality, it looks in desperate need of attention and smartening up.
Come on you people shake yourselves up and start offering decent attractions worthy of your paying public. I would strongly recommend that the paying public avoid this attraction until they can offer a far better experience.
What a great place to spend a couple of hours with your kids. The tram ride was fun and there was plenty to see and do,including feeding the chickens, exploring old houses and shops, a fire station, fun fair, post office etc etc. The staff are really friendly and take great pride in ferrymead. Would thoroughly recommend a visit.
Visited during school holidays. Weather was a bit cold so it was very quiet! The park is interesting and gives a good idea of a settler town. There were a couple of activities in offer for children. We lost interest fairly fast though. Price was ok and seemed fair.
