Thames Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Butterfly and Orchid Garden which includes animals
Marvel at the beauty of this town’s setting in the Coromandel Peninsula, get your heart pumping on a canyoning trip, step back into gold mining history or buy some local artwork.

Thames is nestled in between the peaks of the Coromandel Forest Park and lapping waters of the Firth of Thames. Browse this coastal settlement, once the second-largest town in New Zealand, to explore the country’s gold mining history.

Get a feel for the origins of Thames by visiting the Goldmine Experience, where volunteers will guide you through the gritty existence of early miners. The Thames School of Mines and Mineralogical Museum shows the science behind early mining and has a large mineral display.

Take a canyoning trip to Sleeping God Canyon. The expert guides at CanyoNZ will guide you through abseils, rappels, jumps and slides that will see you drop down vertically almost 1,000 feet (300 meters) through mind-blowing scenery.

Thames has mellowed from its gold rush days and these days provides a tranquil, artistic atmosphere. Discover this creative side in the town’s fascinating art and craft galleries. Purchase some artworks as a souvenir or just marvel at the skill and imagination required to produce these hand-made pieces.

Take a dip in Hoffman’s Pool or hike up to Edward’s Lookout for stunning views over the forest in the Kauaeranga Valley. For the more intrepid tramper, as Kiwis call a hiker, a trek to The Pinnacles and sleeping in a hut near the top is highly recommended.

Explore the rugged coast to the north of town driving along the winding, scenic coastal road to Coromandel Town. Stop off at the lookout points to gaze down on the dotted emerald islands and secluded bays below. Visit in the summer months to see the pōhutukawa trees come alive with masses of red flowers all along the roadside.

Finish by heading to the northern end of Thames, a colonial district that was once Grahamstown and still goes by that name today. Relax in one of its atmospheric cafés and catch the delightful Grahamstown Markets on a Saturday.

Thames is part of the scenic Coromandel Peninsula and is just 1.5 hours from Auckland by car. As a relaxing coastal town in an area where nature demands to be noticed, a visit to Thames still feels like striking gold.

Dickson Holiday Park
Dickson Holiday Park
2.5 out of 5
115 Victoria Street, Thames, Thames, Waikato
The price is NZ$102 per night from 26 Mar to 27 Mar
NZ$102
per night
26 Mar - 27 Mar
Stay at this family-friendly holiday park in Thames. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Popular attractions Burke Street Wharf and Goldmine ...
6.6/10 (6 reviews)
"Close to Thames and very affordable. Sadly the Wotif payment hadn't gone through by the time I checked in at 4:30pm. Fortunately I had a copy of my Bank Account Statement showing when it was paid. This is not fair on the Park owners and their clients. Should have been paid by the earliest check-in ..."

Reviewed on 9 Nov. 2023

Dickson Holiday Park
Grafton Cottage & Chalets
Grafton Cottage & Chalets
4 out of 5
304 Grafton Road, Thames
The price is NZ$220 per night from 18 Apr to 19 Apr
NZ$220
per night
18 Apr - 19 Apr
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly cottage in Thames. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Hauraki Rail Trail Thames and Thames ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (306 reviews)
"Property has a great location but facilities are tired."

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024

Grafton Cottage & Chalets
Sunset Motel
Sunset Motel
3 out of 5
1017 Tararu Rd, Thames, Waikato
The price is NZ$157 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
NZ$157
per night
1 Apr - 2 Apr
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Thames. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Burke Street Wharf and Goldmine Experience ...
9/10 Wonderful! (94 reviews)
Great beach spot
"Clean, tidy, comfortable, great location and view."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2024

Sunset Motel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sunset Motel
Sunset Motel
3 out of 5
1017 Tararu Rd, Thames, Waikato
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Thames. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Burke Street Wharf and Goldmine Experience ...
9/10 Wonderful! (94 reviews)
Great beach spot
"Clean, tidy, comfortable, great location and view."

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2024

Sunset Motel
Grafton Cottage & Chalets
Grafton Cottage & Chalets
4 out of 5
304 Grafton Road, Thames
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly cottage in Thames. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast. Popular attractions Hauraki Rail Trail Thames and Thames ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (306 reviews)
"Property has a great location but facilities are tired."

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024

Grafton Cottage & Chalets
Avalon Motel Thames – Wenzel Motels
Avalon Motel Thames – Wenzel Motels
3 out of 5
104 Jellicoe Crescent, Thames
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Thames. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Hauraki Rail Trail Thames and Thames War Memorial ...
9/10 Wonderful! (143 reviews)
"Very good"

Reviewed on 13 Mar. 2024

Avalon Motel Thames – Wenzel Motels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Thames

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
21
" "5 - Excellent 30.434782608695652%
4 - Good
41
" "4 - Good 59.42028985507246%
3 - Okay
6
" "3 - Okay 8.695652173913043%
2 - Disappointing
1
" "2 - Disappointing 1.4492753623188406%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Violet
2 Jun 2020

Beautiful town with friendly people.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
23 Feb 2020

Loved it - Melbourne Cafe a great breakfast spot.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
18 Feb 2020

Lovely, quiet coastal town with lots to see and do. Equally great if you just want to relax.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
12 Feb 2020

I really enjoyed the mining museum

4/5 - Good

JB
6 Jan 2020

Thames is ok. A small town where everyone knows each other. Beaches not so good- a bit silty and mudflats at low tide.A gateway to better places.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
8 Nov 2019

Great history, interesting colonial architecture, laid back atmosphere.

Cities near Thames