Gaysorn’s Thames guidebook
Food
This place is a Thames institution. Get your piping hot fish n chips and enjoy them right on the wharf with a cold beer or crisp savvy, watching the incoming tide. Or you can peruse their fresh selection of seasonal take homes, including delicacies like Bluff Oysters, Mutton Birds and Kina, not to mention a selection of fresh caught fish. A culinary highlight you can eat with your hands!
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The Wharf Coffee House & Bar
Queen StreetThis place is a Thames institution. Get your piping hot fish n chips and enjoy them right on the wharf with a cold beer or crisp savvy, watching the incoming tide. Or you can peruse their fresh selection of seasonal take homes, including delicacies like Bluff Oysters, Mutton Birds and Kina, not to mention a selection of fresh caught fish. A culinary highlight you can eat with your hands!
This place is a family run Indian Restaurant in the Thames centre that will give Paradise a run for their money. (Aucklanders in the know will get what I mean by that) Mum and Dad make traditional meals out back while the sons work the front of house. This place has dodgy murals, questionable lighting, but delicious food, cold beer and plenty of charm.
Royal Kitchen Indian Restaurant & Bar
620 Pollen StThis place is a family run Indian Restaurant in the Thames centre that will give Paradise a run for their money. (Aucklanders in the know will get what I mean by that) Mum and Dad make traditional meals out back while the sons work the front of house. This place has dodgy murals, questionable lighting, but delicious food, cold beer and plenty of charm.
Peruse the Thames Saturday markets, then pop in here and lift a latte to your parched lips. Their fish curry is 👌🏽 and the gin distillery is in the same building. Just saying.
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Cafe Melbourne
715 Pollen StPeruse the Thames Saturday markets, then pop in here and lift a latte to your parched lips. Their fish curry is 👌🏽 and the gin distillery is in the same building. Just saying.
Recent addition to Thames, great atmosphere, yummy tacos, licensed. Open Tuesday- Saturday.
Little Toke
Recent addition to Thames, great atmosphere, yummy tacos, licensed. Open Tuesday- Saturday.
Literally the world's best gin, made right in the middle of Thames. It's like walking into a scientific laboratory, and the exquisite copper still is a sight to behold. Using local ingredients, these artisan gin makers are dedicated purists. As a self confessed wine snob, this drop has turned me into a gin snob too. The Saturday morning tastings are a must!
Coromandel Distilling Company
715 Pollen StreetLiterally the world's best gin, made right in the middle of Thames. It's like walking into a scientific laboratory, and the exquisite copper still is a sight to behold. Using local ingredients, these artisan gin makers are dedicated purists. As a self confessed wine snob, this drop has turned me into a gin snob too. The Saturday morning tastings are a must!
If you are feeling like a delicious gourmet dining experience with locally grown and sourced produce then this is the place for you. With vegetarian, seafood and gluten free options available - all bases are covered.
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The Falls Retreat
25 Waitawheta RdIf you are feeling like a delicious gourmet dining experience with locally grown and sourced produce then this is the place for you. With vegetarian, seafood and gluten free options available - all bases are covered.
A must stop on the way to Coro. Fresh shucked oysters or fish and chips. Won't get oysters any fresher than this.
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Coromandel Oyster Company
1613 Manaia RdA must stop on the way to Coro. Fresh shucked oysters or fish and chips. Won't get oysters any fresher than this.
Delicious cakes and coffee plus great kitchen menu. Friday night drinks and shared plates in the garden are 👌🏽
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The Refinery
5 Willoughby StDelicious cakes and coffee plus great kitchen menu. Friday night drinks and shared plates in the garden are 👌🏽
A local institution at Waiomu. Food, coffee and a just across the road from the bay. Stop in for refreshments after doing the Kauri Walk
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Waiomu Beach Cafe
622 Thames Coast RdA local institution at Waiomu. Food, coffee and a just across the road from the bay. Stop in for refreshments after doing the Kauri Walk
Fresh new tapas joint with a delicious selection of vegetarian and non vegetarian options and a good selection of beverages. Generous portions, and great shoestring fries 👌🏽
Eretas Tapas and Tacos Bar
Fresh new tapas joint with a delicious selection of vegetarian and non vegetarian options and a good selection of beverages. Generous portions, and great shoestring fries 👌🏽
Local Attractions
For lovers of vintage Crown Lynn searching for that impossible to find piece. This and the adjoining Bounty store are two of Thames most difficult stores to peruse without purchasing a loved keepsake or nostalgic treasure.
The Crown Lynn and More Store
756 Pollen StreetFor lovers of vintage Crown Lynn searching for that impossible to find piece. This and the adjoining Bounty store are two of Thames most difficult stores to peruse without purchasing a loved keepsake or nostalgic treasure.
Treasure hunt the local op shops. Under packed and need another layer of clothing? Overindulged and need a bigger pair of jeans? No need to overspend on new clothes, get what you need without breaking the budget.
Salvation Army Family Store
711 Pollen StreetTreasure hunt the local op shops. Under packed and need another layer of clothing? Overindulged and need a bigger pair of jeans? No need to overspend on new clothes, get what you need without breaking the budget.
Carson's Bookshop
600 Pollen StFind the right book to chillax and grab a coffee right next door.
Colorful local market of the old school variety. Arts and crafts as well as food stalls and great coffee. The mussel and paua fritters are my personal fave, along with a slice of ginger crunch and a coffee from Coco Cafe.
Thames Market every Saturday
Colorful local market of the old school variety. Arts and crafts as well as food stalls and great coffee. The mussel and paua fritters are my personal fave, along with a slice of ginger crunch and a coffee from Coco Cafe.
Local independent 28 seat cinema screening a selection of local and international films. Located in Grahamstown, the cinema is ideally situated to grab a coffee, drink or meal before catching a movie. Fitted out with cosy armchairs and sofas, the cinema is a charming local gem. Book tickets online, google leftbank theatre Thames (BnB won’t allow links?!)
Leftbank Theatre
Local independent 28 seat cinema screening a selection of local and international films. Located in Grahamstown, the cinema is ideally situated to grab a coffee, drink or meal before catching a movie. Fitted out with cosy armchairs and sofas, the cinema is a charming local gem. Book tickets online, google leftbank theatre Thames (BnB won’t allow links?!)
Spoil Yourself.
Book well ahead, but just go. After the Pinnacles, or Mt Te Aroha!
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Te Aroha Mineral Spas
Boundary StreetBook well ahead, but just go. After the Pinnacles, or Mt Te Aroha!
Thames is lucky enough to have a small Thai community, which means we get the benefit of real Thai massage! Computer shoulders? Be punished by a small, merciless Thai masseuse who is unimpressed by your self inflicted pain. You can often get short notice appointments but best to book ahead.
Thames Thai Massage
203 Tararu RoadThames is lucky enough to have a small Thai community, which means we get the benefit of real Thai massage! Computer shoulders? Be punished by a small, merciless Thai masseuse who is unimpressed by your self inflicted pain. You can often get short notice appointments but best to book ahead.
Sightseeing and Adventure!
One of the best North Island tramps with spectacular views on a clear day, this is not for the faint hearted. Bring your most sensible shoes and indestructible knee caps.
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The Pinnacles
One of the best North Island tramps with spectacular views on a clear day, this is not for the faint hearted. Bring your most sensible shoes and indestructible knee caps.
This is a great day hike if you are fit, (and this requires you to be honest with yourself) The views from the top are sensational, and the soak at the hot pools at the end are priceless (book well in advance!!)
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Mount Te Aroha Summit & Broadcast Tower
196 Tui RdThis is a great day hike if you are fit, (and this requires you to be honest with yourself) The views from the top are sensational, and the soak at the hot pools at the end are priceless (book well in advance!!)
Cookson Kauri Walk
It's good to get dwarfed by nature. Let yourself be humbled by this amazing tree.
Get on your bike! Or hire one. The Hauraki Rail Trail is a great way to explore the gorge area and feel virtuous about it.
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Hauraki Rail Trail
State Highway 2Get on your bike! Or hire one. The Hauraki Rail Trail is a great way to explore the gorge area and feel virtuous about it.
A short drive from Paeroa, is the stunning Karangahake Gorge with the impressive Ohinemuri River. Boasting several historic walks, long and short, you can make a day trip out of it and grab a bite at the Refinery or if you are feeling flush, book dinner at the Falls Retreat!
Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
A short drive from Paeroa, is the stunning Karangahake Gorge with the impressive Ohinemuri River. Boasting several historic walks, long and short, you can make a day trip out of it and grab a bite at the Refinery or if you are feeling flush, book dinner at the Falls Retreat!
For the adventurous travellers, check out the guided tour to the Sleeping God Canyon. Abseil past stunning waterfalls above the canyon. Nobody will notice if you wet yourself.
Canyonz
995 Kauaeranga Valley RoadFor the adventurous travellers, check out the guided tour to the Sleeping God Canyon. Abseil past stunning waterfalls above the canyon. Nobody will notice if you wet yourself.
For nature lovers, a trip to the Miranda Coastline and bird centre is a must. Kaiaua Fish and Chips and the pub is a short hop away.
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Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre
283 E Coast RdFor nature lovers, a trip to the Miranda Coastline and bird centre is a must. Kaiaua Fish and Chips and the pub is a short hop away.
A 2-hour return walk allows you to visit one of the Coromandel Peninsula’s finest remaining kauri stands, Waiomu Kauri Grove
Waiomu Kauri Grove Walk
A 2-hour return walk allows you to visit one of the Coromandel Peninsula’s finest remaining kauri stands, Waiomu Kauri Grove
Swim
Hoffmans Pool
1160 Kauaeranga Valley RdGlorious waterhole straight out of your childhood. Emerald green and deep.
This is a lovely deep waterhole just before the Department of Conservation centre. It has a lovely sandy beach and is easy to access. A gradual drop off makes it perfect to wade in. There is a campsite right beside it which means the summer months can be busy, but it’s definitely worth a dip.
Shag Stream Campsite
This is a lovely deep waterhole just before the Department of Conservation centre. It has a lovely sandy beach and is easy to access. A gradual drop off makes it perfect to wade in. There is a campsite right beside it which means the summer months can be busy, but it’s definitely worth a dip.
Practical supplies
What kind of 'outdoorsy' are you? This place will separate the hunter gatherers from the tree huggers. Being a fisherwoman this is my go-to for bait and fishing supplies. The extensive range of fishing gear, camou clothing and fake ducks will either ignite something missing in your life or send you running for the door.
Hunting & Fishing
103 Kopu RdWhat kind of 'outdoorsy' are you? This place will separate the hunter gatherers from the tree huggers. Being a fisherwoman this is my go-to for bait and fishing supplies. The extensive range of fishing gear, camou clothing and fake ducks will either ignite something missing in your life or send you running for the door.
Refillery stocking lots of basics, nuts, grains, dried fruits along with local eggs, coffee and sourdough bread. Also offers a cabinet of delicious sweet treats!
Re-store Eco Market
Refillery stocking lots of basics, nuts, grains, dried fruits along with local eggs, coffee and sourdough bread. Also offers a cabinet of delicious sweet treats!
Big yellow local supermarket. Actually has most things you need, also in the same precinct is a McDonalds, Warehouse and Chemist.
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PAK'nSAVE Thames
100 Mary StBig yellow local supermarket. Actually has most things you need, also in the same precinct is a McDonalds, Warehouse and Chemist.