Kuranui Bay Reserve

Kuranui Bay Reserve, located at Kuranui Bay, is at the North end of Thames township. It’s the last stop before you start up the Thames Coast Highway (SH25) and marks the end of the Coastal Walkway.

Here you’ll find ample room for a picnic by the self-service BBQ, grab some shade under the rotunda, walk along the shell-filled beach, pop into the toilet, or just sit in your car and catch a famous Thames sunset. There’s also often a driftwood Tipi at the south end of the beach – one has continually been maintained by locals since the Covid years.

The beach isn’t great for swimming as it consists of tidal mudflats, but there’s some wonderful birdlife to be spotted. And if you time it right with the high tide, you can get wet.

Kuranui Creek was the location of the first gold discovery in Thames in 1867 – the famous Shotover Mine on Kuranui Eureka Road. From this discovery and subsequent boom, an industry sprung up overnight with mines, pumps, stamper batteries and water races soon covering the hills and foreshore of Kuranui Bay. You can visit the Bella Street Pumphouse or the School of Mines to learn more about this history

Kuranui Bay Reserve Location

Head north through Thames and when you hit the coast, turn left into the parking area.

Phone Number:

Email:

Website:

Kuranui Bay Reserve

Kuranui Bay Reserve, located at Kuranui Bay, is at the North end of Thames township. It’s the last stop before you start up the Thames Coast Highway (SH25) and marks the end of the Coastal Walkway.

Here you’ll find ample room for a picnic by the self-service BBQ, grab some shade under the rotunda, walk along the shell-filled beach, pop into the toilet, or just sit in your car and catch a famous Thames sunset. There’s also often a driftwood Tipi at the south end of the beach – one has continually been maintained by locals since the Covid years.

The beach isn’t great for swimming as it consists of tidal mudflats, but there’s some wonderful birdlife to be spotted. And if you time it right with the high tide, you can get wet.

Kuranui Creek was the location of the first gold discovery in Thames in 1867 – the famous Shotover Mine on Kuranui Eureka Road. From this discovery and subsequent boom, an industry sprung up overnight with mines, pumps, stamper batteries and water races soon covering the hills and foreshore of Kuranui Bay. You can visit the Bella Street Pumphouse or the School of Mines to learn more about this history

Kuranui Bay Reserve Location

Head north through Thames and when you hit the coast, turn left into the parking area.

Phone Number:

Email:

Website:

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