Overview
Thames is the gateway town to the Coromandel Peninsula, a historic gold mining settlement that once housed 18,000 people during the 1868 gold rush. The town offers excellent museums documenting its mining and kauri logging heritage, plus access to the magnificent Kauaeranga Valley hiking and camping area.
Day Trips · History · Museums · Nature · Trekking
Before you go
Accommodation
Budget options include Junction Hotel dorms ($30), holiday park campsites ($35), and motels from $70. Book ahead during summer holiday periods.
Food
Local seafood highlights include flounder, snapper, and green-lipped mussels. Thames Markets operate Saturday mornings on Pollen Street.
Money
New Zealand Dollar (NZD) is the local currency. Pak'nSave on Mary Street offers some of the country's lowest food prices. Cash and cards widely accepted.
Transport
InterCity Coachlines operates daily buses to Thames from Auckland and other North Island cities. Driving from Auckland takes about 1.5-2 hours via State Highways 1, 2 and 25.
