Day Trip to Thames - May 2026
Wednesday 27th May
A Day out in Thames
PLEASE NOTE THIS TRIP IS NOW FULL
When: Wednesday 27th May - departing Cambridge at 9.30am - We have a full van for today.
Pick up information: I will be leaving home at 9am. We begin our journey this morning with a scenic drive to Thames, setting the tone for a day filled with local flavour, rich history, and stunning natural landscapes.
Our first stop is the Cheese Barn at Matatoki, a charming destination known for its artisan dairy products. Here, BioGro Organic Certified milk sourced from a nearby local farm is transformed into a delicious range of fresh products, including cheese, yoghurt, quark, cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, and ghee. Everything is made on-site in small batches, ensuring exceptional quality and freshness. There will be an opportunity to browse and purchase these handcrafted goods directly from the shop.
Our next stop is Goldmine Experience - at 12.30 for a tour. The first major discovery of gold was made on August 10th in 1867 by William Hunt, in a waterfall in the bed of the Kuranui Stream. It was known as the Shotover. Official figures for the production of the Thames Mines recorded a yield of 2,327,619oz bullion with the value at $845 million.
We will then have a lunch stop - before continuing with a couple of interesting sites in Thames.
Next, we visit the Sir Keith Park Memorial at the Thames airfield. This site honours Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park, a New Zealand-born commander who played a pivotal role during the Battle of Britain in World War II. It’s a meaningful stop that offers both historical insight and a chance to reflect on an important legacy.
From there, we continue along the picturesque Kauaeranga Valley Road, a journey in itself with lush native bush and tranquil river views. Our destination is the road’s end, which marks the starting point of the renowned Pinnacles Walk—one of the Coromandel’s most iconic hiking trails. Even without venturing far on foot, the setting provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the region’s natural beauty.
The School of Mines is closed for the month of May as they are relocating. The Gold Experience is normally closed over the winter months but they have a group coming in at 10am so they are happy to stay on for us. So I took the opportunity and have booked us in. I have increased the price by $20.
Investment: $90: Includes entry to Goldmine Experience, transport & driver. All meals are at your own expense.