Shake the cobwebs out of your hair. Follow the thread of the Pohutukawa Coast as you traverse the Hauraki Gulf, past Miranda ShoreBird Centre, linger in small towns and finish the journey in Thames. The day is about sunshine, a waterfall, native forest, beaches and awesome panoramic views. Then you’re in the Coromandel peninsula where gold mining trails and more beautiful beaches await. You are travelling one of New Zealand’s iconic summer road journeys.
Drive with the windows down and the scent of the coast in the air.
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You have approximately 1 ¾ – two hours driving time to reach Thames (without any stops).
Auckland, Clevedon Sunday markets, Hununi Regional Park, Omana Regional Park, Maraetai, Miranda, small places, big stories
Auckland to Thames – 167 km
Your road will be signposted Pacific Coast Highway. Pacific Coast section: Auckland to the Coromandel Peninsula starts in Auckland and you’ll travel south for almost two hours to the Coromandel Peninsula following signs on State Highway one for the Pacific Coast road trip.
Satisfying Hunua falls is a 30 metre waterfall is found on a short 800 metre walk through the attractive Hunua Ranges Regional Park.
Clevedon Farmers Market, a Sunday weekend regular event hosts boutique food producers and nearby horticulturists marketing unbelievably fresh produce and goods.
An Art and craft market occurs on the same day offering visitors a day market browsing in the cute rural village of Clevedon.
The quintessential New Zealand village with a hearty dash of city vibe is a recommended stop.
INTERESTING FACT NOTE AFFILIATE PARTNER STATEMENT
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Stretch the legs and explore the pocket sized pretty Clevedon Scenic Reserve
Get the camera out for the panoramic views of the Firth of Thames, sweeping grassed spaces for families, beaches with rock pools and safe swimming areas.
Omana extends an invitation to simply relax. There are cool shaded bush walks which allow dogs on a leash to walk in prescribed areas.
The perimeter walk and farm walk are easy walking tracks.
In the busy summer months there is a large car park which can rapidly reach capacity in the middle of the weekend.
A perfect family destination, Maraetai beachfront has a large grassed area great for big family picnics and a game of beachball.
There is a wooden boardwalk with seating encouraging visitors to relax, rest and people watch. And a wharf where water bombing is a summer rite of passage.
WHERE TO EAT – Maraetai is a great lunchtime stop with parking for a motohouse and boardwalk to explore the beach. Beach Cafe Maraetai – Home offers classic kiwi lunch fare with an attached ice cream bar doing a roaring summer trade.
Beautiful, the short coastal drive from Maraetai Beach to Duders Regional Park is sheer joy. Imagine a short fifteen / twenty minute journey packed with sharp curves hugging the Firth of Thames seascape, fringed with enormous Pohutukawa trees gnarled and moulded by nature, wind and age.
The quintessential Kiwiana postcard trees are especially glorious in spring with red gold tipped flowers.
Umupuia (Duders) Regional Park. Find out more about sustainable farming on the “Duder Sustainable Trail” (4 km).
The 1.5 hour walk is marked by yellow markers and is a fun and practical way to learn about sustainable farming, as described by the park brochure.
Flat intertidal zone with its dense shell beach is memorable. The Firth of Thames is an expanse of sand, sea, shells, water and sky with the seamless ribbon of flat expense before you.
Look at the shades of white, cream with dashes of deep hues slashed with emerging water lights. And, the birds, thousands wheeling in the sky above, busy foraging on the shoreline.
A great place to stop with the kids with the well resourced Miranda Shorebirds Centre an interesting place for kids (and all of us). Clear easy explanations of what a chenier (shell) beach is, its importance and the impact of farming and quarrying on the sensitive landscape. Kids look for the bird tracking interactive map. Remember birds do not need passports.
The name Miranda was a gunship that was used to subdue the local Maori villages (during the nineteenth century land wars). One of the plaques points towards the local hills and the story of how Maori resisted land confiscation in the area.
Today local iwi (tribe) participation in regeneration effects is sought and the importance of the Hauraki Gulf for traditional fish netting and food gathering practices elaborated.
Historic Kopu Bridge is a short detour as you enter the roundabout near the modern two lane Kopu Bridge.
Ponder how many boats, paddle steamers and sand barges have passed under the historic category one Kopu Bridge. The single lane bridge has an operational swing component allowing river traffic passage up river.
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Photo moment with the historic bridge faded glory creating a great backdrop.
Thames School of Mines & Mineralogical Museum
Explore the local beaches armed with newly acquired knowledge from the Thames School of Mines.
Gems, stones and gold shiny rocks just might be evidence of alluvial gold.
The town is part and parcel of the history of nineteenth century gold mining and timber (Kauri) logging.
Due to a decline in gold mining and cessation of timber production the town’s nineteenth century buildings have withstood wholesale destruction.
The town’s urban landscape is the story of New Zealand’s urban development with all the layers clearly visible.
STAY OVERNIGHT IN THAMES
174 km from Thames to Whangamata. State Highway 25 is a loop from the east coast to the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Thames to Coromandel Town to Whitianga
The drive from Thames follows the narrow winding coastal road past small settlements, Pohutukawa trees and sandy coves to the Victorian era Coromandel Town. An artistic hub showcased by Driving Creek Pottery and the late Barry Brickell, the town offers seafood treats, bush walks, heritage trails and beaches to laze away the day on. Coromandel Town is a gem worth the detour.
Coromandel Peninsula would love to welcome visitors however, for many travellers the road closure of state highway 25 beyond Whitianga is a massive detour. Many visitors could decide to eliminate the Coromandel Peninsula from the touring route.
For visitors deciding to eliminate the Coromandel Peninsula from their touring route from Thames travel to PAEROA (WAIHI) and join the Pacific Coast Highway at this point.
Thames to Karangahake Gorge to Waihi then Paeroa
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
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