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 regional video presentation
Waihi Beach
...offers nine kilometres of sweeping white sand, and one of the safest surf beaches in New Zealand. Relax on the beach and enjoy the sunshine or partake in more adventurous activities such as boogie boarding, kayaking or kite boarding.
It's not just the 9kms of beautiful ocean beach, with white sand and generally safe surf, that draws people back each summer. There's the added attraction of Tauranga Harbour, linked to the ocean at the southern end of the beach by the Bowentown entrance. There's surfing, fishing, mini-golf, walks with amazing views, art and crafts, history, and plenty of summer entertainment.
For boaties, fishermen, skiers, swimmers, kayakers and picnickers, the combination of beach and harbour in close proximity provides a fantastic playground.
'The Beach' as locals call it, also has a modern shopping centre, excellent restaurants and a whole range of accommodation from four camping grounds to motels, B&Bs and luxury lodges within easy distance.
For more information about
Waihi Beach click here
Waihi - A gold Mining Town
 One of the most famous gold mining
towns in New Zealand, the history of this
period is apparent every where in Waihi.
Unlike
other parts of the region, this is still very
much a gold mining town - with production
hidden behind the leafy slopes close to the
main street. For those who enjoy the simple
life, Waihi is your kind of town, with old
wooden buildings, a white sand beach where
you can enjoy shellfish collecting and sea
fishing - and not a shopping mall in sight!
To the west is Ohinemuri River, which runs
through the Karangahake Gorge, where trout
fishing, mining relics and independent arts
and crafts people can be found along the way.
 The vintage train puffs from Waihi to Waikino
and people of all ages can enjoy the easy
walking tracks along the river.
Waihi is an
ideal stopover between Auckland and Tauranga
or from the Coromandel Peninsula to Rotorua.
 MARTHA MINE:
A modern operating mine producing 75,000
oz of gold & 650,000 oz of silver.
The old Pump house, a ruin of the old
mine – sits beside the towns
Information
Centre.
Tours available.
THE WAIHI ARTS CENTRE AND MUSEUM:
Is a nationally acknowledged treasure
house of the mining, metallurgy and
sociology of the region, as well as
a gallery for the exhibiting of arts
and crafts from the area.
THE GOLDFIELDS RAILWAY:
  Starts from the historic station on
Wrigley
Street, running daily to the historic
Waikino Station.
WAIHI BEACH:
11 km from Waihi, is a safe
beach running south to Athenree. The
north headland has a coastal walking
track to Orokawa Bay, while the other,
Bowentown – is the site of a fortified
Maori pa.
OROKAWA WALKWAY
This relatively
short walk takes you from the northern
end of Waihi Beach to beautiful, secluded
Orokawa Bay past spectacular views of
the Pacific Ocean and Waihi Beach.
For more information about the Orokawa
Walkway or other outdoor activities
check out the WAIHI
website
ATHENREE:
Visit the hot natural mineral pools
open daily 9am-7.30pm. (See Accommodation
Section – Athenree Hot Springs
& Holiday Park).
WAIKINO:
A historic gold mining community –
now known for its arts and crafts community,
museum and access to Karangahake Gorge.
The D.O.C Waikino Station is located
here as a visitor centre for the community.
VICTORIA BATTERY:
Site of the
largest quartz-crushing plant in Australasia.
See the underground ore kilns and tunnels.
GOLF COURSE
One of the best provincial 18-hole courses
in the country attracts golfers from
throughout the region.
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Not only is this one of the most stunning stretches of river in the country it is home to one of the busiest and most lucrative gold strikes in the country.
An ideal halfway stop between
Auckland and Tauranga/ Rotorua, Paeroa - the
home of the iconic 'Lemon & Paeroa' soft drink,
offers several fine Cafes and some fascinating
local attractions.
Karangahake Gorge & Historic
Walkway