The Gabriels Gully Storymapp Visitor Experience, which comprises a digitally-enhanced multimedia tour of seven sites in the historic gold-rush town, was launched in January last year.
Tuapeka Goldfields Museum chairwoman Kelly Aitken told the Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board yesterday the experience had been well received by those using it, and had sold 110 units during its first year.
Storymapp was designed by Wellington-based Locales, and funded by the board and by Clutha Development.
The intuitive two-hour smartphone guide can be activated at each site, and provide users with 360-degree artist recreations of the area during the mid-19th century gold rush.
It is the first stage of a potential $4.8 million visitor experience centred on Gabriels Gully, conceived as part of the Clutha District Council’s community plan for the area.
The experience had launched at $34.90, which included a poster, but was reduced to $25 after visitor and community feedback, allowing the poster to be purchased for an additional $15.
Ms Aitken said about 30 posters had been sold.
"We think it’s going very well and, from visitor feedback, it seems to be almost unique around the world, with only one French visitor saying he had experienced something similar in France.
"For something that’s very new, selling 110 is pretty good I think. People are drawn to the map in the museum, and our local kids are also into it, advancing their geography and history knowledge."
She said it was difficult to place a "dollar-value" on the return from the project.
"Those who use it give excellent feedback, and it’s something unique promoting our history to visitors, so I think it will continue to grow in popularity."
Community board member Roger Cotton praised the project.
"The potential for it is still huge. We can add to it as time goes on, thanks to its digital nature."
Members questioned whether the Storymapp package had been made available at other iSites across the district, to help promote it.
Ms Aitken said she believed it might be available at the Balclutha iSite, but would confirm this in her next report to the board.
