Thames has a vast background with goldmining, and there’s no better way to explore this than with the Thames Goldmine and Stamper Battery, where you can have a tour trough the Stamper Battery and see a photo museum of the goldplanning. There is also the Thames School of Mines and Museum, which is an old school which taught the art of mining from 1886 to 1954. Now there are artifacts and a museum at this historic area. Rocky’s Goldmine trail gives you a 3 hour taste of the regenerating forest, with fantastic views of the area.

There are historic buildings in this area such as the Brian Boru Hotel, which has been working since 1868 and has become a landmark in this area. For more history of this area, visit the Thames Historical Museum, where you can see displays of the goldrush, mining, farming and kauri timber days of this area.

The Rapaura Watergargens offer exotic and native plants, which have brilliant flowers seasonally. The Butterfly and Orchid Garden has orchids, ponds, a waterfall and a wonderful cafe where you can relax and take it all in.

You could make a visit to the farms in the area, the Carousel Dairy Farm offers a tour of their farm, showing you how things are done. There is also the Matatoki Farm Cheese Factory, if you have ever wondered how they make cheese.

Catch a bus to Thames with nakedbus, the gateway to the Coromandel. This is a town with a vast history and plenty to see and do for all.