Strike it rich during this interactive experience that dives into the gold industry in Waihi. Feel the sense of drilling for the metal as you test the simulator, try your hand at designing unique gold jewelry, and go beyond the fence to get a look at a mine that's usually off-limits to the public.

Arrive at the Gold Discovery Centre, a modern museum featuring state-of-the-art technology. Immerse yourself in the interactive exhibits as you dig into the rich history of the gold industry in New Zealand, rattling the drill, cranking the handle on the power-wheel, and pushing the plunger to trigger a simulated blast.

Continue your hands-on experience by designing your very own virtual jewelry. Marvel at the weight of a pure bar of gold and take a step back in time to the 1800s inside the ghost theater. Through the use of 3-D holograms, you can learn what life was like living in a 19th-century gold town as characters share their tales of love, war, and social strife.

Next, it's time to head out into the gold mine. Get suited up in your safety equipment and go beyond the security fence that typically keeps pedestrians out of the area. Witness every stage of the gold-mining journey, from ore extraction and crushing to the final processing. Make sure to grab your camera to snap photos in front of the massive equipment before you leave the mine.