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Information about Thames, Thames Places to See and Thames History
Thames Information on the History of Thames and Thames Places to See
New Zealand Accommodation |
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| About Thames |
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| Things to Do |
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Thames is a town at the southwestern end of the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand's North Island.
It is located on the Firth of Thames close to the mouth of the Waihou River
The town was initially built during a gold rush, the first major discovery of gold was made on August 10, 1867 by William Hunt, in the Kuranui Stream at the north end of Thames. The subsequent mine produced more than 102,353oz bullion and was known as the Shotover.
The era from 1868 to 1871 were the bonanza years for the town with gold production topping one million pounds sterling at its peak.
The 3 richest fields were the Manukau / Golden Crown / Caledonian mines but many others yielded near equivalent amounts.
Towards the end of the 19th century Thames was the largest centre of population in New Zealand with 18,000 inhabitants and well over 100 hotels and three theatres 1868. For a while it was thought it would replace Auckland as the major town in the area.
However, as the gold began to diminish, so did the number of inhabitants, and although Thames never shrank, it has never grown much either. It is still the biggest town on the Coromandel.
The Kauaeranga Valley lies in the hills just behind Thames and there are many walking tracks and camping opportunities
The Thames Coast, beautifully scenic, also offers a variety of activities and fishing and has an abundance of accommodation options, from affordable Motor Holiday parks to exclusive B&B and self catering
Thames has a reasonably flat town centre and can be explored by foot or bike.
Thames has one of the longest, straightest main streets in New Zealand.
Thames is small enough not to require a public transport system, but there is a good taxi service
Thins to Do and Places to See in Thames
- Matatoki Farm Cheese 07 868 1284
- Thames has a wealth of arts and crafts available for inspection and purchase from various artist studios
- Thames Society of Arts Gallery in the historic Old North School building in Tararu - contemporary art work, regular pottery and painting workshops, a national summer exhibition as well as monthly members exhibitions - Photography, oil painting, fibre art, glass work, weaving, woodwork, ponga & stone sculpture, clay work, watercolours, charcoal, wire sculpture, bone carvings and gift cards sarahpeck@xtra.co.nz
- Thames Market held in Grahamstown every Saturday morning. A wonderful selection of arts and crafts
- THE COPPER FISH STUDIO – 07 868 2623 Life size wall hanging hand crafted from copper.
- MAHARA POTTERY A pottery workshop and unique five acre sculpture park.
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PEARL FISHERIES GALLERY – 027 2854461 A mixed media artist.
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SANSIMAGES GALLERY – 07 868 7020 professional photographer and art gallery.
ORGANIC STUDIOS – 07 868 3377 Personalized paintings and prints
Thames Information, Thames History, Thames Places to See, About Thames
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