WELCOME TO BUSHTOWN HERITAGE SITE
in Waimate, South Canterbury
Bushtown Heritage Site is a window into the last 150 years of bushman and early settler communities of Te Waimatemate
The site is a visitor attraction recreating the mighty Tōtara tree forest, showcasing life of the era through bushman's huts and early Edwardian township "Main Street", a working steam operated vintage sawmill and a miniature steam train rail under development
STEP BACK IN TIME TO THE BUSHMAN'S ERA
Heritage Tōtara Forest Planting
The mighty Tōtara was a prized species for the early European bushman who settled in Waimate in the mid 1800’s. They were drawn to the area due to the abundance of Tōtara timber available for the development of settlements and infrastructure in the surrounding regions.
The Tōtara lumber sourced from the Waimate area quickly gained a reputation for quality and was often shipped to many parts of New Zealand as well as overseas.
The Bushtown Heritage Forest Project sets out to recreate the mighty Tōtara forest that once adorned the Waimate District landscape. Individuals, families, interest groups or companies now have the opportunity to participate in this project by planting their own commemorative Tōtara tree on designated areas within the Bushtown Heritage Park.
PLANT YOUR OWN TŌTARA TREE
MAKE SURE TO VISIT US ON OUR ANNUAL STEAM UP DAY
Check out a fly over of past Steam Up Day events!
FIND US
BUSHTOWN HERITAGE SITE
Dobson Street
Waimate, 7924
SIGN UP TO OUR EMAIL LIST
THANK YOU TO OUR BUSHTOWN SUPPORTERS
Laurie Forestry | Honda Tree Fund | The Community Trust of Mid and South Canterbury | Waimate District Council | The Aoraki Foundation | The Lion Foundation | The Southern Trust | Te Papa | National Lotteries | Trust Aoraki | Morven Provincial Board | Chris & Sheila Paul
| Leathwick Contracting | Headford Propagators | Waimate ITM
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NON CENTS DESIGN