THAMES
Don’t just drive through on the way to the beach, Thames and the surrounding district has all types of accommodation and a more diverse range of activities than any other region of the Coromandel – from hot pools, to overnight tramping, scenic flights to butterflies, hire a bike or take a gold mine tour. Check out the museums and enjoy the history – some of the old boozers in Thames have been there since the outrageous goldrush days. The district includes all the beaches of the Thames Coast, the natural beauty of the Kauaeranga Valley, the hot pools of Miranda and the Seabird Coast to Kawakawa Bay.

WHAT TO DO IN THAMES
There is plenty to do in town for the holidaymaker. The shopping is excellent in the mile long Pollen Street and at the Goldfields Shopping Mall. The visitor will find old character pubs, several top cafes and bars, some with live entertainment, sports clubs of all types including golf and bowls, gardens, art and craft shops, the centennial swimming pool, parks, museums and historic buildings. At Grahamstown (at the north end of Pollen Street) is the Historical Museum, the School of Mines Museum, and some interesting colonial architecture dating back to the old rush days. Just a bit further north is the Butterfly and Orchid Garden and on Sundays and Public Holidays the little train rides run (11am – 3pm) at Victoria Park in Brown Street There is something for everyone at the Thames Market, 9.am-12 noon each Saturday morning and at the Gold Mine Experience you can go deep underground into a 100 year old gold mine and view a gold stamper battery operating (hours vary seasonally).

Not your sort of thing? Well how about a scenic flight around the magnificent Coromandel Peninsula, Hauraki Gulf or Auckland’s Sky Tower – see Hot Water Beach and Cathedral Cove from the air! Perhaps hire a quad bike or buggy from Local Hire and drive the Maratoto 4x4 trails just south of Kopu, or hire a boat and go fishing. Or what about a Coromandel Peninsula Tour – at Paku Paku Bikes you can hire fully equipped touring bikes and Sunkist Lodge rent 4x4 wagons fully equipped with tents etc.

Thames is situated on the west side of the Peninsula just one and a half hours easy drive from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga. Visitors are welcome to base themselves in town and explore the rest of the Coromandel Peninsula by day tripping. Coromandel Town to the north and Hahei to the east are about one and a half hour’s easy drive.

THE THAMES COAST
To the north of Thames, the road follows the coast for 40km or more, passing a series of sandy beaches, each with its own small community nestled against the hills. Motels, campgrounds and friendly beach shops cater well for the visitor.

The beaches are safe with easy access and you can park right at the water’s edge. Just right for family swimming, barbeques and picnics. This coast is also ideal for fishing by boat or off the rocks. There are also plenty of boat launching ramps for those with trailer boats.

THE TAPU VALLEY
At Tapu on the Thames Coast the Tapu-Coroglen Road heads up the valley and eventually over the hills to Whitianga, Hahei and Hotwater Beach. A short drive up the bushclad road takes you to the not to be missed Rapaura Watergardens. Rapaura is rated amongst the best gardens in New Zealand with lily ponds and waterfalls in a native bush setting.

On the way you can call in to the Mahara Pottery and Sculpture Garden – a working pottery and large garden filled with an interesting array of artworks and gardenobilia. Further on is the Square Kauri, one of the peninsula’s best examples of large kauri trees. It is easily accessible up a short track. In the valley you can stay at the Tapu Valley Campervan Park.

THAMES HISTORICAL MUSEUM
The Thames Museum has displays of early European settlement, the days of the famous gold rush and more recent 20th century development. The remarkable history and production of the Thames foundries is also covered; timber jacks, logging locos and even cast iron houses! The museum is in a garden setting.

BELLA STREET PUMPHOUSE RESTORATION
The old pumphouse is slowly being restored to former glory. The actual pump is mostly still buried under rubble but the large building houses many items of interest: a working scale model of the pump, old machinery, a large Pelton Wheel which once generated electricity for Thames and an interesting collection of old photos.

THE SCHOOL OF MINES
The school opened in 1886 offering practical instruction to goldminers working the quartz fields and closed 1954. Today as one of the most significant museums of its type in Australasia, it is administered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. If antique buildings is your thing don’t miss the old laroratory classroom, untouched since the last student went off home.’

GOLD MINE TOURS
You can go deep underground into the 100 year old Golden Crown Mine and also see the old stamper battery actually working. Check out the photo history room and try your hand at panning for gold.

ART, CRAFT AND GARDENS
Artists, potters, craftspeople and gardeners make the most of the relaxed Coromandel lifestyle. You can visit unique gardens like the Butterfly and Orchid Garden or pottery workshops and art and gift galleries.

THE KAUAERANGA VALLEY
The highlight of the region is the Kauaeranga Valley with its awesome hill and bush scenery, walking and tramping tracks, crystal clear streams, waterfalls, prolific birdlife, swimming holes, camping and picnic places. The rugged hills which include Table Mountain (846m) and the Pinnacles (759m) provide a spectacular backdrop. The regenerating forest in the valley includes fine specimens of kauri, rimu, totara, kahikatea, kowhai and a wide range of ferns including the ponga fern. Native birds commonly seen and heard include the tui, bellbird, native pigeon, kingfisher, fantail, heron and the majestic harrier hawk is often seen soaring overhead. The forest park is administered by the Department of Conservation (DoC).

There are twenty one walking and tramping tracks in the area ranging from easy, level walking paths suitable for persons of all ages and fitness levels through to steep, difficult routes for experienced and well equipped trampers. Remote camping and hut accommodation is available for overnight stays. The Pinnacles Walk with an overnight stay in the DoC Hut is one of New Zealand's best.

The ‘Sleeping God Canyon’ part way up the valley is a 300m cascading waterfall, the site of CANYONZ’s awesome canyoning adventures with abseils, jumps and waterslides. All in breathtaking pristine surroundings.

The Sunkist Backpacker’s Shuttle provides a regular service up the valley, phone them at 0800 786 547.

NGATEA AND THE HAURAKI PLAINS
The flat land of the Hauraki Plains was once an enormous 60,000 hectare wetlands. Today, protected by a network of canals and stopbanks it is fertile dairy farmland. At Ngatea the Wilderness Gems Shop and the five acre Ngatea Water Gardens are worth a visit. Just west of Waitakaruru the bright yellow Corogate Café has fine food and coffee, not to mention curios and collectables and a great Royal Dunny. At Turua nearer to Thames the Muddy River Café also has good food and friendly service.

MIRANDA HOT SPRINGS AND KAIAUA
The western coastline of the Firth of Thames is an interesting optional route to or from Auckland. This coast is often referred to as the ‘Seabird Coast’ after the thousands of birds attracted by the region's wetlands and feeding areas.

The Miranda Hot Springs are a unique highlight of the area, try the main (47m x 17m) naturally hot mineral pool or soak in one of the smaller pools and spas with a range of temperatures from 35-40 degrees. The adjacent Miranda Holiday Park has all modern facilities and a hot pool of its own.

Kaiaua is a small beachside settlement with an old pub, fish restaurant, friendly beach store and great fishing around the mussel farms. The annual Kaiaua Wine and Food Festival attracts a large crowd.

ORERE POINT AND KAWAKAWA BAY
The water's edge communities of Orere Point and Kawakawa Bay have safe family beaches, stony streams with swimming holes, picnic places, bush walks and beach stores. The coast has excellent trailer boat launching facilities giving access to some of the region's best boating and fishing. Boats and fishing gear can be hired at Leisure Boat Hire at Kawakawa Bay.

HOW TO FIND US
Refer to the maps page for distances and times.

WHERE TO STAY
The visitor has a choice of all types of accommodation: lodges, motels, campgrounds with cabins, campervan parks, backpackers, old pubs, DOC campsites and tramping huts.