Gaysorn’s Thames guidebook
Food
This place is a Thames institution. You can get your fish n chips here to be consumed 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. You can get your fish n chips here to be consumed 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 small town charm, delicious food and cold beer.
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 small town charm, delicious food and cold beer.
Peruse the Thames Saturday markets, then pop in here and lift a latte to your parched lips. Their fish curry is good too 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 good too 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.
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.
PM’s Takeaways
Best burgers in Thames according to local aficionados.
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 road trip, a swim, pizza and a bit of wine tasting...
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Mercury Bay Estate
761 Purangi RdA road trip, a swim, pizza and a bit of wine tasting...
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.
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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.
Hearty pies, sandwiches and coffee. More a lunch bar than a cafe, generous workman’s size servings.
Burton Catering
Hearty pies, sandwiches and coffee. More a lunch bar than a cafe, generous workman’s size servings.
Treasure hunting
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.
Bounty Store
754 Pollen StreetI adore their mugs.
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.
Paeroa has a number of thrift stores and op shops for the savvy bargain hunters. Spend a morning noodling through them then grab lunch at The Refinery.
Hato Hone St John Retail Store
Paeroa has a number of thrift stores and op shops for the savvy bargain hunters. Spend a morning noodling through them then grab lunch at The Refinery.
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, Karangahake, New Zealand
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, Waikato, New Zealand
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.
Practical supplies
Who would recommend a hardware store you ask? Well me because I run a farm and often have to repair things myself. This family owned hardware store is a Thames institution, and unlike other chain stores, they have all sorts of cool camping stuff AND they will literally sell you one bolt from their wall of different screws, bolts and nuts - instead of having to buy a whole carton.
Read Bros Hardware Ltd
308 Pollen StWho would recommend a hardware store you ask? Well me because I run a farm and often have to repair things myself. This family owned hardware store is a Thames institution, and unlike other chain stores, they have all sorts of cool camping stuff AND they will literally sell you one bolt from their wall of different screws, bolts and nuts - instead of having to buy a whole carton.
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.
Lifestyle Inspirations
Get your hands in the soil and book a permaculture workshop with Yottam and Niva, inspirational authors of The Abundant Garden.
Pakaraka Permaculture
Get your hands in the soil and book a permaculture workshop with Yottam and Niva, inspirational authors of The Abundant Garden.