Take a leap back in time
The history of Te Kauaeranga Thames extends back centuries, and when we understand what came before us, it helps us better understand the present. Read more historical context for the area so that you can look back in time as you walk or cycle our heritage trails or cruise the streets.
Bella Street Pumphouse
Bella Street Pumphouse contains gold mining artefacts, working models, historic photo displays, waterworks, electrical turbines and much more. It has been nearly [...]
Burke Street Wharf
The old Burke Street Wharf is a disused wharf built in the 1870s to service the Thames Gold Rush. It’s on the [...]
Goldmine Experience
The Goldmine Experience is a guided tour that takes you through operating 19th-century gold-mining machinery in Thames. Volunteer enthusiasts run the Goldmine [...]
Goldminers Database
Curious about who worked the New Zealand goldfields, including those in Thames? Check out this online goldminers database created and maintained by [...]
Grahamstown
Grahamstown, at the northern end of Pollen St, is a quirky historic shopping precinct full of cafes, antiques, art galleries, museums and [...]
Historic Kōpū Bridge
The Historic Kōpū Bridge was built in 1928 and has Heritage NZ’s highest possible ranking for a historic place, Category 1. The [...]
John William Hall Arboretum
John William Hall Arboretum is New Zealand’s oldest arboretum, established in 1872 by Thames chemist John William Hall. He began planting his [...]
Kauaeranga Valley
Te Kauaeranga (Pā) - This word means ‘The stacked bones of the whale jaw’. Waiwhakaurunga (Kauaeranga River) - means ‘the many bathing [...]
Kauaeranga Visitor Centre (DoC)
The Kauaeranga Visitor Centre (DoC) is one of the busiest in New Zealand. It’s your gateway to the Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel Forest [...]
Moanataiari to Waiotahi Link Track
The Moanataiari Link Track ⛏️ is a great little walk that links up with the Waiotahi Track to form a good [...]
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