The 160-kilometre Hauraki Rail Trail stretches across the Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako districts. In the Thames-Coromandel District, routes of this kind meet discoveries in individual places: Thames tells stories of mining and cultural heritage, while the coast, native forests and diverse coastal settlements shape the landscape. The area also features dramatic topography and around 2,000 hectares of parks and protected areas.
Cycling trail and landscape
The Hauraki Rail Trail can be viewed on two scales: the trail covers 160 kilometres across three districts; a 34-kilometre section runs from Thames to Paeroa through lush farmland. These figures distinguish the full route from a specific section and help you fit the trail into your travel plans. The trail’s length and other details may be updated, so check the latest information before planning.
The surrounding landscape is also part of the district’s character beyond the cycling trail. The combination of coast, native forests and protected areas offers a different focus from the open farmland along the Thames–Paeroa section. Nature and cultural heritage are therefore not a single experience, but different facets of the region.
Thames: mining history and cultural heritage
In Thames, the Thames School of Mines complex is nationally significant: it is a rare and well-preserved example of its kind. The site has spiritual, cultural and archaeological significance and is especially important to Ngati Maru. This means the town’s history cannot be understood solely as mining history; its cultural and archaeological significance is also part of the story.
At Victoria Park, the Band Rotunda has been used for musical performances and related events for more than a century. The Thames Pillar Boxes are also in the centre of Thames. Thames is an important historic settlement and visitor centre on the Coromandel Peninsula. Much of the area around the Pillar Boxes forms part of the Grahamstown Historic Heritage Area, which is designated in the proposed District Plan. These different places offer ways to get to know Thames through its architectural and cultural history.
Nearby walks
The nearby Wentworth Falls Walk follows the Wentworth River along an easy, three-kilometre route to Wentworth Falls. The walk includes two bridged crossings and a lookout over the falls. Before setting out, check the latest updates on possible storm damage and track conditions.
The nearby Wentworth Mines Walk offers a different focus: it leads to a picnic area overlooking two mine shafts. Also nearby, the Wharekirauponga Track runs through Parakiwai Valley and the Royal Standard Goldmine area along the old route of a horse-drawn tramway. The walks thus differ in their themes: one leads to waterfalls, another offers views of mine shafts, and the third follows a historic transport route.
Forest and views near Coromandel Town
At Coromandel Town, Driving Creek offers train rides, ziplining, pottery classes and a native conservation park. The railway runs through 60 acres of regenerating native bush to the EyeFull Tower Lookout. From there, views extend across Coromandel Town and the Hauraki Gulf. Here, a range of activities sit alongside a ride through bushland and views from the lookout. Check the latest booking and operating information before visiting, as these may change.
Find hotels for your explorations
If you’re looking for hotels in the Thames-Coromandel District, first decide which experiences will shape your travel plans. Focusing on the Hauraki Rail Trail raises different questions than a stay centred mainly on the historic places in Thames.
Explore more destinations: Opoutere, Hot Water Beach, Te Puru, Kuaotunu, Opito Bay, Matarangi, Whitianga, Pauanui, Coromandel, Thames, Tairua, Whangamata, Hahei, Tapu, Hikutaia, Colville, Whenuakite, Hikuai, Cooks Beach.
For the broader travel overview: Waikato.
