Thames Town

A peaceful and pretty morning at Ray's Rest then we moved to Kopu Golf Club, near Thames, and took the car into the town.

The town still has many historic buildings but has good cafes, shops and some quirkiness. 

The town was founded on gold. We took the Goldmine Experience tour, around an old stamper battery and through mine tunnels.

Then we looked around the town some more...

...there were lots of murals.

 

Waihi and Waihi Beach

We walked around the edge of the Martha open cast mine in Waihi...

The dot on the skyline is the Cornish Pumphouse from the far side of the big hole.

The pumphouse.

The little town has a great cafe and interesting sculptures relating to the town's history.

Allister found a friend. From rocks to phones.

The old Rob Roy pub.

In the afternoon we walked from Waihi Beach, through clifftop bush to Orokawa Bay.

Then it was back to the waterfront cafe for cocktails and dinner.