Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
farmland. The long sandy beach stretches 9km to Bowentown, on the northern limits of
Tauranga Harbour, where you'll find sheltered harbour beaches such as beautiful
Anzac
Bay
. There's a very popular 45-minute walk north through bush to pristine
Orokawa
Bay
, which has no road access.
Sights
Waihi's main drag, Seddon St, has interesting sculptures, information panels about
Waihi's golden past and roundabouts that look like squashed daleks. Opposite the visitor
centre, the skeleton of a derelict
Cornish Pumphouse
(1904) is the town's main land-
mark, atmospherically lit at night. From here the
Pit Rim Walkway
has fascinating views
into the 250m-deep Martha Mine. If you want to get down into it, the mining company
10am & 12.30pm Mon-Sat)
, departing from the Waihi Visitor Centre.
The
Historic Hauraki Gold Towns
pamphlet (free from the visitor centre) outlines
walking tours of both Waihi and Paeroa.
Athenree Hot Springs
THERMAL POOLS
(
www.athenreehotsprings.co.nz
; 1 Athenree Rd, Athenree; adult/child $7/4.50; 10am-7.30pm)
In cooler months, retreat to these two small but blissful outdoor hot pools, hidden
within a holiday park.
Waihi Arts Centre & Museum
MUSEUM
(
www.waihimuseum.co.nz
; 54 Kenny St, Waihi; adult/child $5/3; 10am-3pm Thu & Fri, noon-3pm
Sat-Mon)
The Waihi Arts Centre & Museum has an art gallery and displays focusing on
the region's gold-mining history. Prepare to squirm before the collection of miners'
chopped-off thumbs preserved in glass jars.
Activities
Goldfields Railway
RAILWAY
( 07-863 8251;
www.waihirail.co.nz
;
30 Wrigley St, Waihi; adult/child return $18/10, bikes extra
$2; daily Sep-Mar, Fri-Mon Apr-Aug)
Vintage trains depart Waihi for a 7km, 30-minute
scenic journey to Waikino. It's possible to take bikes on the train so they can be used to
further explore the Karangahake Gorge section of the Hauraki Rail Trail. The timetable
varies seasonally so check the website.
