Gold Tours
Embark on a Gold Prospecting AdventureDiscover Gold and History in Charleston, New Zealand
Discover Gold and History
Step into the golden past of New Zealand with The Sluicers’ gold prospecting tours. Whether you’re a seasoned prospector or a complete beginner, our guided tours offer a hands-on adventure through the historic goldfields of Charleston. Learn the techniques used by the pioneers, explore authentic mining sites, and even take home your own gold!
What to Expect on Our Tours:
Our gold tours are designed to immerse you in the history and excitement of New Zealand’s gold rush era. From panning for gold in the streams to exploring tunnels and shafts carved out in the 1860s, you’ll experience firsthand what it was like to search for gold over a century ago.
Our expert guides—Dillon and Anthony Thom, the father-and-son team behind The Sluicers—will teach you the techniques of panning, sluicing, and metal detecting. Along the way, we’ll share stories of the Charleston gold rush, one of the greatest boom-and-bust eras in New Zealand’s history. And with a little luck, you might just strike gold yourself!
Half day tours
(4hours)
Depart from
Powell place or Rotten Row Charleston.
Cost
$300 for 2 people, $100 per additional adult or $50 per additional child.
Things to bring
High gumboots or footwear that can get wet and muddy. Appropriate clothing, camera.
What Will You Do and See?
Explore the stunning landscapes of Charleston, where you can see glowworms, shafts, tunnels, and races carved into the terrain just as they were in the 1860s. Learn about the fascinating history of Charleston, one of the world’s greatest boom-and-bust gold rushes.
Join experienced gold prospectors to find and take home your own gold while learning how to pan, sluice, and metal detect. Discover authentic artefacts and mining gear used by New Zealand’s early pioneers, all while experiencing the excitement of finding gold for yourself!
Who Can Join:
Our tours are perfect for anyone with a sense of adventure! Whether you’re an experienced prospector or completely new to gold hunting, we cater to all skill levels. Families, individuals, and groups are welcome. Kids love the excitement of discovering real gold, and adults will appreciate the history and techniques shared during the tour.
Tour Options:
We offer a variety of tours to suit your schedule and interest level, from half-day trips to full-day excursions. Private group tours are also available upon request.
Expert guidance from The Sluicers
All necessary gold prospecting equipment
A chance to take home any gold you find
A fun and educational experience for all ages
Tour Highlights:
Historic Goldfields
Explore authentic gold mining locations used by New Zealand’s early prospectors.
Charleston’s Gold History
Discover the fascinating history of Charleston, a town once booming with gold fever.
Gold Panning & Sluicing
Learn how to use traditional gold panning and sluicing techniques to uncover gold in the wild.
Expert Guidance
Recieve hands-on instruction from Dillon and Anthony Thom, the father-and-son team behind The Slucier.
Metal Detecting
Try your hand at modern prospecting with metal detectors to search for hidden treasures.
Take Home Real Gold
Any gold you find on the tour is yours to keep—your own piece of New Zealand’s golden past.
We’re here to help!