A $28,000 project has transformed the dusty den into an exhibit, after the basement room was rediscovered via a trapdoor and wooden staircase, in 2006.
A historical interpretation panel for the Bank of New Zealand, the building of which forms part of the museum, has been made, plus one detailing the failed robbery by George Rennie in July 1870 of 1070 cash and 200oz of gold ($360,500 worth at today's value).
A mannequin in period clothes represents a bank manager about to place a "gold" bar into a Victorian-period safe.
The museum received the original bank plans from the BNZ and found there were living quarters above and below the bank. Those plans could form a third panel.
The vault display will open on Thursday, when Arrowtown staff host about 40 colleagues for the Small Museums Seminar at the museum and the Arrowtown Bowling Club.
