Waihi Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Waihi featuring tranquil scenes, a small town or village and landscape views
Waihi featuring signage and heritage elements
Waihi showing a river or creek and a garden
Waihi which includes a river or creek and a garden
Waihi

Take a scenic train ride, hike through a rugged gorge, learn about gold mining or go for a surf in this little-known place on New Zealand’s Coromandel Peninsula.

Known as New Zealand's “Heart Of Gold,” Waihi has had continuous gold mining for over 100 years. The best way to get to know this town is by walking in the footsteps of New Zealand’s early gold miners.

Try out the interactive displays at the Gold Discovery Centre and learn about mining from the early years through to today. Walk across the road and stare down into the vast pit of the still functioning Waihi Martha Mine. Go for a walk along the Rim Walkway if you are feeling energetic.

Sit back and relax with a scenic ride on the historic Goldfields Railway and then take the short walk to visit the Victoria Battery Museum at the other end. The train ride takes you through rolling countryside and the volunteer staff are always happy to chat with you about the trains. Enjoy the in-depth experience of walking through a kiln tunnel.

Put on your hiking boots and head out into the natural splendor of the Karangahake Gorge. The gorge has a variety of walkways twisting through the towering walls of the gorge. The Ohinemuri River flows through the gorge, providing waterfalls and turbulent rapids. Bring a flashlight to peer into some of the old mine tunnels dotted around the area.

Take a short drive to the coast and visit Waihi Beach. With a long stretch of white sand it is ideal for a stroll, swim, surf or just to just sit back and enjoy the seaside. Bring your lunch with you or order fish and chips at a café for a beach picnic.

Browse the Artmarket for local artwork and crafts to take home as a souvenir. More than 150 artists from around the country display their works here.

Find the many treasures of Waihi at the southeastern end of the North Island’s picturesque Coromandel region. Waihi is 2 hours from Auckland and 1 hour from Tauranga by car.

Before you leave, have a meal at one of the many cafés or restaurants. It is a chance to not only savor the fresh local produce, but also to enjoy the spirit of this little town with a heart of gold.

Where to stay in Waihi

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Waikino

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Waikino and surrounding area, you can visit Owharoa Falls and Karangahake Gorge.

Waikino
Palm Motel Waihi
Palm Motel Waihi
3 out of 5
123 Parry Palm Avenue, Formerly 2 Parry Palm Avenue, Waihi
The price is NZ$140 per night from 9 July to 10 July
NZ$140
9 July - 10 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star motel in Waihi. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Gold-mining Museum and Art Gallery and Waihi Arts ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (258 reviews)
"It was central to the places we were going to close to town good welcome to the property apon checking in apart form the weather most enjoyable stay"

Reviewed on 2 Jun. 2025

Palm Motel Waihi
Waihi Cottage Entertainment
Waihi Cottage Entertainment
Waihi
The price is NZ$198 per night from 8 July to 9 July
NZ$198
8 July - 9 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this cottage in Waihi. Enjoy a water park, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Gold-mining Museum and Art Gallery and Waihi Arts Centre ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (40 reviews)
Excellent choice
"Clean, comfortable, beautifully appointed, a pleasure to stay in. Highly recommended!"

Reviewed on 21 Mar. 2025

Waihi Cottage Entertainment
Misty Mountain View by Tiny Away
Misty Mountain View by Tiny Away
Waihi
The price is NZ$207 per night from 8 July to 9 July
NZ$207
8 July - 9 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this vacation home in Waihi. Enjoy a garden, air conditioning, and a hot tub. Popular attractions Owharoa Falls and Gold-mining Museum and Art Gallery ...
Country stay
"We loved the location and the view from the windows! The tiny house had everything we needed and was handy to town and the other places we visited. We'd definitely visit again!"

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2025

Misty Mountain View by Tiny Away
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.
Waihi Cottage Entertainment
Waihi Cottage Entertainment
Waihi
Stay at this cottage in Waihi. Enjoy a water park, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Gold-mining Museum and Art Gallery and Waihi Arts Centre ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (40 reviews)
Excellent choice
"Clean, comfortable, beautifully appointed, a pleasure to stay in. Highly recommended!"

Reviewed on 21 Mar. 2025

Waihi Cottage Entertainment
Misty Mountain View by Tiny Away
Misty Mountain View by Tiny Away
Waihi
Stay at this vacation home in Waihi. Enjoy a garden, air conditioning, and a hot tub. Popular attractions Owharoa Falls and Gold-mining Museum and Art Gallery ...
Country stay
"We loved the location and the view from the windows! The tiny house had everything we needed and was handy to town and the other places we visited. We'd definitely visit again!"

Reviewed on 30 Apr. 2025

Misty Mountain View by Tiny Away
3 bedroom bungalow next to awesome swimming hole!
3 bedroom bungalow next to awesome swimming hole!
Waihi
Stay at this vacation home in Waihi. Enjoy a garden, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Gilmour Reserve and Gold-mining Museum and Art Gallery ...
3 bedroom bungalow next to awesome swimming hole!
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 Waihi

4.2
Top destination
5 - Excellent
14
5 - Excellent 42%
4 - Good
14
4 - Good 42%
3 - Okay
4
3 - Okay 12%
2 - Disappointing
1
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Gilmour Reserve has a nice trail that feeds into a river walk

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Great for Waihi Beach, good places to eat (e.g. German Bakery & Cafe). Quaint little town worth stopping at.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Everything was great about Waihi and the motel except for the very hard bed!

4/5 - Good

KDG

Plenty to do and great places to visit but not possible during working week

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

It’s so lovely, feels so safe that we going to move to Waihi...

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Lots to do and see in town, at nearby Waihi Beach, Whangamata, Tauranga, etc. a good base for exploring the area.

Cities near Waihi