Why Thames?

102 Redwood Lane
Thames 3500
New Zealand

Ph/Fax (07) 868 6663
+64 7 868 6663
Email inquiry@brookbymotel.co.nz

Thames’ history is predominantly that of a gold mining town in the 1860s to 1920s, and many relics of that time are visible today. Thames is steeped in history and those interested in mining will be most interested in learning about Thames and it’s history. The owner's home at Brookby Motel is a beautifully made house of New Zealand Kauri timber dated about 1890. It was built by Daniel Redwood the manager of the May Queen Battery (originally Bull's Battery) for him and his family. For your interest a brief history of the Brookby Motel site is placed in each of the motel units.

Thames is ideally situated as a holiday base because it is the main commercial capital for ‘The Coromandel’, as the peninsula is known, so full of tourist treats and views. Many people come from all around the region every Saturday morning to the Thames markets, when stalls are lined along Pollen Street and many interesting items bought that you just can't buy in the shops. Thames Golf Course is then a pleasant 18-hole challenge for an afternoon's activity.

Click Image to Enlarge

Thames Markets

The list below shows some of the many interesting things to do in this region, and the world-famous Rotorua and its geysers are only 2.5 hour's drive away.

Some of Peter Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' locations can be seen within two hours driving from Thames. The Hobbiton houses are still there near Matamata, and you can go inside them.

Distances on the map can be deceiving and while it may not look too far to drive around the coast, you should remember that all the roads are hilly with many sharp bends but there are passing places to the side of the road where you can pull over and take photos or short walks. For instance, Coromandel Town to the north is 54 km and about a 60-minute drive from Thames, and Colville further north is about 80 minutes. You should allow a full day to drive all the way around the Coromandel Peninsula in order to visit many of the sights comfortably.

Our winter activities would be what you would call Spring or Autumn activities in cooler climes, such as hiking, cycling, bush walking or just visiting cultural and heritage areas of the Coromandel, or other places of interest. Our winters are mild compared with the rest of New Zealand to the south of us, and frosty conditions are rare - certainly it never snows here!

The Thames Coast Road follows the coast north of Thames and passes through a series of small communities nestled against the hills on the way to Coromandel Town. The beaches are ideal for family swimming, BBQs and picnics and the rocky coast is good for fishing and boating. The bright red flowering Pohutukawa trees (late Dec, early Jan) and spectacular sunsets are a feature of this coast (see photo).