Waihi - North Island, New Zealand

The SH25 leads to Waihi, about 30 kms south of Whangamata. Waihi meets SH2 at Karangahake Gorge. Waihi shot to fame as a gold mining town in the1870s. By the early 1900s, it was the fastest growing town in the Auckland province.

Though gold excavation stopped in 1952, it was reactivated in 1987 in the Martha Goldmine. The popular Waihi Beach, 12 kms east of the town, is famed for its golden sand and surf. Waihi Beach is one of the safest ocean beaches in Aotearoa.

The Martha Mine is at the eastern end of Waihi town and since 2006 it has been producing 100,000 ounces of gold and 750,000 ounces of silver. Guided tours take visitors around the mine and gold processing areas highlighting the mine's history, production process and the work done by the mine in preserving the environment. The Golden Legacy Centre is houses displays and videos of the gold production process.

Waihi Activities

The Gold Mining Museum and Art Gallery on Kenny St also provides a good history of the Waihi Goldmine and the 1912 Waihi strike out of which was born the New Zealand Labour Party.

At the western side of the Waihi township, the Goldfields Railway on Wrigley St operates mind captivating 6 km rail trips throughout the year to Waikini in the Karangahake Gorge. You get to travel in a diesel engine and are fed with incredibly scenic views of the Ohinemuri River.

The Waihi Visitor Centre is on Upper Seddon St in the town centre. Buses halt at the service station on Rosemont Rd 500 metres from the visitor centre.

Waihi Accommodation

The limited Waihi accommodation scene consists of a couple of motels, a holiday park, a B&B (bed and breakfast) and a motor campsite. Waihi offers limited eating choices in the form of a takeaway and a couple of cafes in town.

LooknbookNZ can take care of your Waihi accommodation and Waihi activities bookings and allow and your family/friends to enjoy the beautiful surf and sands of Waihi Beach and the actively functioning Waihi Martha Goldmine.