Location: Waihi
Top Things to do in Waihi
- 1. Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
- 2. Waihi Martha Mine Pit Rim Walkway
- 3. Goldfields Railway
- 4. Gold Discovery Centre
- 5. Waihi Gold Mine Tours
- 6. Waihi i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
- 7. Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum Society
- 8. Adventure Bike Hire
- 9. Waihi Arts Centre & Museum
- 10. Hauraki Rail Trail
Top 10 Things to do in Waihi, New Zealand
Waihi is a town in Hauraki District in the North Island of New Zealand, especially notable for its history as a gold mine town. It had a population of 4,527 at the 2013 census.
Restaurants in Waihi
1. Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
Reviewed By paullegate - Luton, United Kingdom
Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway covers a huge expanse with many walkways and also many sights that can been seen in the surrounding area. Over the course of a couple of days we walked about 20km and got to see the Victoria Battery and Tramway, Owharoa Falls as well as walking along the edge of the Ohinemuri River, we walked along tracks, through tunnels and enjoyed the scenery and the attractions during our time there. We will cover the sights we missed on the next visit we make to the gorge.
2. Waihi Martha Mine Pit Rim Walkway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By bedfordjohnq - Asheville, North Carolina
You might think that looking down a big hole is unexciting but you haven's seen a hole in the ground until you have seen this one. There's little activity down there at present (Jan 2018) due to one of the walls having collapsed but there are items in the pit that give you an idea of how big this operation is. While you're at it, you may enjoy a tour of the mine with the company that is located in the main street of Waihi.
3. Goldfields Railway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Reviewed By Grant B - Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand
This is a great journey back in time. From the 1880's Railway Stations to the period Carriages. Best travelled on a fine day, you can travel either from Waihi or Waikino.
There are options for one way or return trips. The Train travels at a leisurely speed.
There are two open carriages, one to carry cycles, the other has Seating for passengers who want to take photos. There are toilets and Cafes at both ends of the journey.
4. Gold Discovery Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By Allgoodthyngs - Shrewsbury, United Kingdom
Rather an expensive fee to enter this small interactive centre. Although we learnt a lot and enjoyed what we saw, it felt like a bit of a sting having been charged so much to enter.
The staff here are wonderful and will help with all sorts of Tourism enquiries, not just the Gold Mine.
We didnt take the tour as it was fully booked for today and the weather didnt look quite so promising for tomorrow. Very limited number of places, 10 I think so be sure to book ahead.
5. Waihi Gold Mine Tours
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By Strickes - Rotorua, New Zealand
Interesting place to visit. The tour involves being picked up from Discovery centre in scan and being driven to various parts of mine and mining industry.
We were fortunate that our tour only had the two of us and one family so plenty of space to see out of van.
The tour includes a drive up to the edge of the open pit mine and a good view down into it. It is huge! Apparently 260m deep and for anyone that is familiar with Mount Maunganui, it would fit into mine.
A few years ago there were a couple of major slips occurring about a year apart, so the workers are not able to drive down to the bottom at the moment. Work is still being done to remedy thus and will take considerable time.
A history of mining and information on what has happened with residents and mining related issues over the years.
The tour also includes a trip just out of Waihi to see other parts of the mine where the extractions are taken up by conveyor to be crushed etc to get the gold and silver.
Our guide was very friendly but unable to answer several questions put to him.
6. Waihi i-SITE Visitor Information Centre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By Isabell8785 - Tauranga, New Zealand
We went here to get our hut passes for a hike but stuck a little bit here with all those interesting information about he mines. A pity that it cost so much to do the tour, so we haven't done it. Great basic stuff though a very well set up!
7. Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum Society
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By mrsbanno - Red Beach, New Zealand
You can access this from a number of walking Bridges, there is now a new swing bridge opposite the Waikino Pub. You can spend as long as you want there exploring all the ruins of the battery.
There are toilets not far from the the battery, it's bike and foot friendly.
Nice day out.
8. Adventure Bike Hire
Overall Ratings
5 based on 12 reviews
Explore the incredible Hauraki Rail Trail on a quality mountain bike from Adventure Bike Hire. The Rail Trail is an easy grade 1-2 trail suitable for all skill and fitness levels. Adventure Bike Hire is a mobile service that can meet you anywhere along the trail or at your chosen start point with bikes ready to go!
Reviewed By mmxmxmxmxmxmxmxmxm - Singapore, Singapore
Des met us at the start of the Karangahake rail track with bikes and helmets and adjusted them to our needs. Even bought a couple of options for our 12 year old to ensure best option. Bikes in good condition. Des provided helpful advice re track. We were then picked up at the Karangahake winery when we were finished. The best thing was that we didn’t have to make a specific end point or meeting time - we could notify Des when we had done enough and he came and got us. The ride is great. Historical sites really interesting.
9. Waihi Arts Centre & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 22 reviews
Reviewed By kellip2016
Very expensive souvenirs, the staff went ballistic when I took a photo of a family friend and I got sent out as there was a sign saying no photos. I would have known I wasn't allowed to take photos of it was clearly displayed, not behind a piece of sale item...
Otherwise great stock in store.
10. Hauraki Rail Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By paullegate - Luton, United Kingdom
The Hauraki Rail Trail covers some of New Zealand's oldest railway routes dating back to 1898. There are 5 routes covered by the Hauraki Rail Trail and we used the Paeroa to Waihi section, we partially walked along the route rather than cycling and covered a lot of ground and took in a lot of the sights in the Karangahake Gorge and surrounding area. It is beautiful area and the next time we visit we will cycle along the route and also visit another of the sections on the Rail Trail.
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