Goldmine Experience now features in fiction! Get your copy here
AN INSIDER'S GUIDE - WHERE TO STAY:
If you'd like to rent your own house or cottage in 65 acres of garden, then contact Rapaura Water Gardens.
For great service and quality accommodation, check out this motel: Tuscany on Thames.
If you prefer sea air, check out the stylish Coastal Motor Lodge with views of the Firth of Thames. Beautifully kept grounds.
The Sunkist Lodge Backpackers Hostel is very affordable and situated in the old gold mining area of Thames, called Grahamstown - not far from Goldmine Experience!
Dickson Holiday Park is great for family camping with all the amenities - swimming pool included, set in a bush setting along side a stream.
Kauaeranga
Valley Christian Camp A lot of schools and large groups stay here while visiting
the area. The camp also has conference facilities.
AN INSIDER'S GUIDE - WHERE TO EAT IN THAMES:
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
- Breaky / lunch
Great Cafe/Deli - good food (an alternative to the usual mince pie / filled roll
option). Try the chicken panini - these are popular for good reason, and can tragically
run out.
Phone: (07) 868 6065
M-F 7.30am
to 4.00pm, Sat 8am - 12pm.
574 Pollen Street
THE GOLD BAR
AND RESTAURANT – the best dinner option in a friendly atmosphere.
404 Pollen St, Thames
Ph. 07-868 5548
EVERYTHING ELSE THERE IS TO DO IN THE AREA:
FREE Do it yourself - strike it rich! Equipment and maps for gold panning in Thames (and other goldfields within NZ).
FREE look for Rocky's Goldmine Trail - a three hour bush walk. Take Victoria Street to Dickson Holiday Park where the walk starts.
The Thames School of Mines & Mineralogical Museum has a great specimen collection of rocks in cases. The building itself is marked as a historic place. Not much has changed there since the 1800s.
For a general history of Thames, visit the Thames Historical Museum.
FREE At Ngatea, you will find the fantastic Ngatea Water Gardens. Tel. 07-867 7275.
FREE Market day - Saturday mornings, starting at 8am. The main street of Thames is closed off until lunchtime.
Thames Small Gauge Railway Great for kids - open most Sundays 11am - 3pm.
Butterfly & Orchid garden - where you can flutter about a tropical garden (including waterfall) with LOTS of butterflies.
FREE View migratory bird life on the Firth of Thames. Also birds can be viewed at the Karaka Bird Hide by the Goldfields Shopping Mall, Brown Street.
Relax at Miranda Hot Springs - Largest 100% natural mineral pool in Southern Hemisphere. Food kiosk, BBQ sites/picnic areas, trampoline. Phone (07) 867-3055 mirandahotsprings@ihug.co.nz
FREE On the Tapu-Coroglen Road (the "309"), just out of town - visit one of the largest and oldest trees on the peninsula - the Square Kauri.
Hauraki Aero Club offers Glider flights and scenic flights in light aircraft (cessna) out of Thames Airfield. Phone 07-868 6445
FREE Kauaeranga Valley bush walks. 20 minutes east - 13 km from Thames. Day walks and overnight walk to Pinnacles Hut and Moss Creek Campground. Kauaeranga Book hut at Field Centre run by DOC. Various brochures available. Field Centre: Phone (07) 867 9080
65 acres of water gardens to explore at the Rapaura Water Gardens. Craft shop and tea room also on site.
FREE
Trek up to the War Memorial Monument at the top of Waiotahi Creek Road to see a great view of Thames
township.
INFORMATION ON THE COROMANDEL PENINSULA:
Experience New Zealand Travel - When it comes to travel experience counts www.experiencenz.com
TRANSPORTATION:
Murphy's Buses
-
Charter Bus Services
407 Mackay St, Thames.
Phone (07) 868 6265
Thames Airfield
Phone (07) 868 6445
Contact Intercity for bus travel to Thames and around the Coromandel
GUIDED
TOURS BY BUS / VAN OR EVEN BY CYCLE:
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