Thames Attractions
Thames, the largest place on the Coromandel Peninsula, lies on the west side at the point where the Waihou River flows into the Firth of Thames. It is made up of the two earlier settlements of Shortland (the port) and Grahamtown (the old gold-miners' settlement). Captain Cook anchored in the Firth of Thames in November 1769 and surveyed the area at the mouth of the Waihou River. The local Maoris were friendly.
After the discovery in 1852 of seams of gold-bearing quartz in the Coromandel Range the population of the peninsula increased enormously in the 1870s, for a time passing the 20,000 mark. At that time the town is said to have had more than 80 hotels. The gold rush reached its peak in 1873, but even before the first world war the gold was almost worked out, and the population left Thames altogether or turned to agriculture.
After the discovery in 1852 of seams of gold-bearing quartz in the Coromandel Range the population of the peninsula increased enormously in the 1870s, for a time passing the 20,000 mark. At that time the town is said to have had more than 80 hotels. The gold rush reached its peak in 1873, but even before the first world war the gold was almost worked out, and the population left Thames altogether or turned to agriculture.
Coromandel Forest Park
Northeast and southeast of Thames extends the beautiful Coromandel Forest Park, which can be explored on a number of trails. It has a total area of 63,400 ha, of which over 8000ha consist of young planted kauris. Large areas of this rugged highland region are covered with natural rain forest. Information about the forest and its trails can be obtained from the park offices (13km east of Thames on the road to Kauaeranga).
Cemetery
The cemetery to the south of the town occupies the site of the Maori fortified settlement of Totara Pa, which was destroyed by Hongi Hika.
Kauaeranga Valley
To the east of Thames is the Kauaeranga Valley, where in the past large numbers of kauri trees were felled and much resin collected.
Kopu, New Zealand
(Near Thames)
South of Thames is the little town of Kopu, from which there is a rewarding excursion (33km) to Hikuai; the road, winding through wild and rugged scenery, was opened only in 1967.
Miranda
The thermal resort of Miranda is 30km from Thames, on the opposite side of the Firth of Thames.
Queen of Beauty Pump
The Queen, behind the power station, once pumped water out of the mine shafts at depths of up to 300m.
Thames Mineralogical Museum
There is an interesting mineralogical museum housed in the former School of Mines. In addition to an extensive collection of minerals it contains models of mines, stamper batteries (for crushing the rock) and miners' equipment.
Thames Museum
The Thames Museum recalls the days of the early settlers.
Period shops include a Barbers' shop, Palmer's Sweet Shop, a grocer's and a dress shop with models. There are also Mäori artifacts and photos of local Mäori people.
Period shops include a Barbers' shop, Palmer's Sweet Shop, a grocer's and a dress shop with models. There are also Mäori artifacts and photos of local Mäori people.
War Memorial
On a prominent site to the north of the town is a memorial to the dead of the first world war.
