Thames, Whangamata and Southern Region Activities
Things to Do and See in Thames, Whangamata and Southern Coromandel
Thames, Whangamata and the Southern Region has all types of activities and attractions for visitors: surfing, bush walks, train rides, gold mine history, motor bike rides, trout fishing, diving, tramping, gold mine tours and don’t miss the hot pools and spas!
Thames, Thames Coast, Seabird Coast & Hauraki Plains
Miranda Hot Springs
Relax with us and enjoy our 100% natural hot mineral water - large main pool, private spa tubs, toddler’s pool and super hot 40-42 degree pool. BBQs, picnic areas, jumping pillow, children’s play area and shop with hot food, ice cream and drinks. Family passes, senior rates too. Surcharge on Public Holidays. Open daily 9.00 am - 9.30 pm. Just 4 mins off SH25.
Front Road
Miranda
Phone: 07 867 3055
Fax: 07 867 3187
Corogate Cafe and Collectables
It’s a unique English Cafe complete with memorobilia, collectables, home baking, high teas & excellent service. Open 7 days for breakfast, lunch and evening meals. Don’t miss the international jigsaw feature ceiling! FINALS TOP SHOP AWARDS 2004/5/6/7. We’re ‘the Bright Yellow One’.
Cnr SH25 and Back Miranda Rd
2km from Waitakaruru
Phone: 07 867 3147
School of Mines & Mineral Museum
Visit the 1869 Sunday School where the indomitable Black and incomparable Park worked on extracting Gold. Marvel at Australasia’s foremost Historic Mineral Collection for teaching goldmining. All in our treasured “Wahi tapu” Historic Place. Open Wed-Sun 11-3, extended opening during summer.
Cochrane Street
Thames
Phone: 07 868 6227
Gold Mine Tours & Stamper Battery
Enjoy a guided tour underground into one of olde Thames' richest goldmines then look through the fully operational 19th century stamper battery. See our photo museum, video, mining relics and cave weta colony. Gold panning. Hours: summer 10 - 4, spring and autumn 10 - 1, winter hours by appointment.
SH 25 just north of Thames
Thames Historical Museum
The Museum has displays on early European settlement, kauri logging, the amazing gold rush when Thames became New Zealand's fourth largest town and the Thames Foundries famous for the development of the NZ timber jack, steam locomotives and even cast iron lighthouses! Large photo collection. In a park setting.
Cnr of Pollen & Cochrane Street
Grahamstown
Thames
Phone: 07 868 8509
Southern Air Services Ltd Thames
Pilot School - we provide Professional and Recreational Flight Training and Joy Flights for leisure or just look at the majestic Coromandel Peninsula. If you have a career in mind flying the big jets, we can help there too. Also microlight training. Live the dream, learn to fly with the best! 3ks south of town.
Thames Aerodrome
Phone: 07 868 3232
or TXT 021 0230 7272
Tandem Skydive Thames
We have a small team of professional, friendly and highly experienced instructors and staff who pride themselves in being able to offer you a personalized one-on-one service and guarantee the ultimate adrenaline packed experience of a lifetime! We are 100% Kiwi owned and operated.
Thames Aerodrome
Phone: 027 378 8804
Butterfly & Orchid Garden Thames
Enter this tropical wonderworld where the vibrant colours of beautiful butterflies and orchids will amaze you! Follow a winding garden path to discover our birds, ponds with exotic fish and water lilies and a splashing waterfall. Good for sunny and rainy days. Open 7 days. Drinks available.
Victoria Street
Tararu
Thames
Phone: 07 868 8080
Te Aroha
Te Aroha Mineral Spas
Treat your loved one to a Romantic Package - a thermal mineral spa for two: candlelit, with drinks, chocolates and a lovely rose. Or just enjoy the nearby bush walks, then soak your aches and pains away in the world’s only naturally hot soda water. Our beautiful healing water gives relief from muscular and skeletal pain.
Te Aroha Domain
Phone: 07 884 8717
Te Aroha Leisure Pools
We are nestled under the bush line of Mt Te Aroha. Rain or shine, it’s a fantastic place to enjoy with friends and family. 3 separate pools: enjoy the natural ambience of the outdoor spa, or take a plunge in the 20 metre, children’s pools too. An affordable fun day out for all ages. Picnics, BBQ. A Pool Safe accredited facility.
Te Aroha Domain
Phone: 07 884 4498
Te Aroha Museum
Enjoy a trip down memory lane. The museum is housed in the historic Cadman building in the Domain with a fine array of local artifacts and archives along with displays, photos and exhibits recalling the diverse history of this beautiful small town. Hours: Open every day: April - Oct, 12 noon - 3pm, Nov - Mar, 11 - 4pm
Te Aroha Domain
Phone: 07 884 4427
Paeroa & Karangahake Gorge
Bullswool Farm Park Paeroa
Experience an unforgettable slice of Kiwi rural life. Met, feed, and interact with our friendly population of interesting and exotic farm animals, set in a unique natural environment of farmland and bush. Visit for an hour or an afternoon! Alpaca fibre gifts. $8 adults, $6 children. Hours 10.30am - 5.00pm.
240 Rahu Road
Karangahake Gorge
Phone: 07 862 8843
Arkwrights Antiques Paeroa
Don't miss a visit to Arkwrights in Paeroa for everything from pens, china and dolls, to tools, clothing and jewellery, furniture and collectables. You name it we've got it! With 9 antique shops Paeroa is the 'Antique Town of New Zealand' and a must for visitors to the region. Centrally located. Arkwrights - "Open all Hours", 7 days 10-5pm.
32 Belmont Road
Paeroa
Phone/Fax: 07 862 6898
Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum Waikino
Former largest gold ore processing site in Australasia. Tramway rides, guided museum tours, see the underground roasting ore kilns. Group bookings by arrangement - try a summer twilight tramway trip! Sorry no eftpos. We are on the Historic Karangahake Gorge Walkway - walk through the subway from the Waikino Rail Station or drive up metal road after turning left off Owharoa/Ohinemuri river bridge. Open Wed - Sun 10am-3pm
PO Box 173
Waihi
Phone: Mike 07 863 6169
[email protected]
Waihi
Bularangi Motorbikes, Fly Fishing
and Accommodation
Harley Davidson Rentals and Sightseeing Tours around the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. See the spectacular Coromandel Peninsula from the back of a Harley - a wonderful way to travel those twisty roads. Also guided river fly fishing and holiday accommodation. Waihi.
Freephone: 0800 787 980
Bularangi Motorbikes, Fly Fishing
and Accommodation
Harley Davidson Rentals and Sightseeing Tours around the Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. See the spectacular Coromandel Peninsula from the back of a Harley - a wonderful way to travel those twisty roads. Also guided river fly fishing and holiday accommodation. Waihi.
Freephone: 0800 787 980
Athenree Hot Springs & Holiday Park
Relax in our natural, hot, mineral pools and enjoy our peaceful and picturesque, waterfront location. Motels, chalets, powered and non powered camping sites at very affordable rates. Enjoy our aqua bikes and kayaks. We guarantee a friendly welcome and clean facilities.
Hosts: Sheryl, Mike and Team
1 Athenree Road
Phone: 07 863 5600
Waihi Waterlily Gardens & Café
Explore 15 enchanting acres of gardens, ponds and park-like grounds. Giant flora canopy meandering waterways, waterlilies adorn ponds with vibrant, natural colour. Garden Café offers unforgettable food and coffee from 10am-4pm daily, Labour Weekend - Easter. Garden Cottage accommodation available all year!
441 Pukekauri Road
Waihi
Phone: 07 863 8267
Waihi Arts Centre & Museum
The Museum tells the incredible story of gold mining in the Martha Mine with 3-D models, dioramas and historic b/w movies. Also a family history research service and the Lee Johnson Gallery exhibitions. Open: 10 - 3 Thurs - Fri, 12 - 3 Sat and Sun. Admission charged, schools, groups by arrangement. Details on website.
54 Kenny Street
Waihi
Phone: 07 863 8386
Goldfields Railway - Train Rides
Come with us on a vintage train journey from the historic gold town, Waihi to Waikino in the spectacular Karangahake Gorge. The 30 minute trip goes though scenic countryside with cuttings, bridges and the sparkling Ohinemuri River alongside. Refer to the web site for timetable and bookings. It's fun for all ages!
30 Wrigley Street
Waihi or Waikino
Phone: 07 863 9020
Tairua & Pauanui
Tairua Dive and Fishing
We offer Dive and Fishing Charter, fully accredited PADI 5 Star Dive courses and a well established Dive Shop. Book your Aldermen Island Dive or Fishing Charter today. Packages include accommodation, year round. We also do kayak hire. The yellow shop at the foot of Paku.
7 The Esplanade
Tairua
Phone: 07 864 8054