Siggi And Carmel’s Guidebook
Our Favourite Cafés and Bars in Thames
We have some outstanding baristas here in Thames and some unique, quirky places to enjoy a good Flat White, Cappuccino or Latte
Wonderful airy and open space with a vintage industrial vibe and stunning food. Hard to get a table here on Saturday mornings and there is usually a queue , but so worth the wait.
Good selection of counter food as well as menu items, which will be beautifully presented at your table with garnish and relishes.
Probably the best selection of current magazines and newspapers to read while you enjoy your perfect Flat White
11 locals recommend
Cafe Melbourne
715 Pollen StWonderful airy and open space with a vintage industrial vibe and stunning food. Hard to get a table here on Saturday mornings and there is usually a queue , but so worth the wait.
Good selection of counter food as well as menu items, which will be beautifully presented at your table with garnish and relishes.
Probably the best selection of current magazines and newspapers to read while you enjoy your perfect Flat White
Its unpretentious and cosy and right on the historic Shortland Wharf (probably the oldest part of Thames).
By day there is a small selection of good counter food (including delicious gluten free ) but its early evening when this place is magical. Sit right by the wharf and enjoy the freshest fish and chips (delivered right to your table from the Thames Fisheries next door) over a chilled Pinot Gris, watching the sun go down over the Firth of Thames.
9 locals recommend
The Wharf Coffee House & Bar
Queen StreetIts unpretentious and cosy and right on the historic Shortland Wharf (probably the oldest part of Thames).
By day there is a small selection of good counter food (including delicious gluten free ) but its early evening when this place is magical. Sit right by the wharf and enjoy the freshest fish and chips (delivered right to your table from the Thames Fisheries next door) over a chilled Pinot Gris, watching the sun go down over the Firth of Thames.
Always busy, this bistro and diner with bar is located in one of the oldest 19th Century hotels in Thames.
There is a traditional wooden interior featuring vintage photos of the building and street outside, also art from local school students.
Karl, the owner, is very friendly and passionate about what he does. There is a fairly large menu, and a Happy Hour every Friday evening between 5-6pm with half price drinks and complimentary snacks.
12 locals recommend
Grahamstown Bar and Diner
700 PollenAlways busy, this bistro and diner with bar is located in one of the oldest 19th Century hotels in Thames.
There is a traditional wooden interior featuring vintage photos of the building and street outside, also art from local school students.
Karl, the owner, is very friendly and passionate about what he does. There is a fairly large menu, and a Happy Hour every Friday evening between 5-6pm with half price drinks and complimentary snacks.
Our Favourite Beaches around the Coromandel
Carmel has been holidaying and exploring the coromandel for 40 years and knows a few good spots
There is no longer car park access at the entrance to the track but you have the option of either taking a shuttle up from Hahei beach, walking up or taking a water taxi. There are also a variety of boat and kayak tours if you want to approach this magical place by water.
Its really the highlight of the Coromandel, with its pristine white sand beaches and majestic white stone sculptures and caves - including the magnificent 'cathedral' cave.
Try to go before 10 in the morning or after 5 in the afternoon to experience the beauty of the beach without having to share it with too many other people!
148 locals recommend
Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve
There is no longer car park access at the entrance to the track but you have the option of either taking a shuttle up from Hahei beach, walking up or taking a water taxi. There are also a variety of boat and kayak tours if you want to approach this magical place by water.
Its really the highlight of the Coromandel, with its pristine white sand beaches and majestic white stone sculptures and caves - including the magnificent 'cathedral' cave.
Try to go before 10 in the morning or after 5 in the afternoon to experience the beauty of the beach without having to share it with too many other people!
My all time favourite beach because of the soft sand, perfect sand and swimming conditions. The water can be warm enough to swim up until late autumn (May).
Spend half a day unwinding with a good book beneath the shade of the huge old Pohutukawa trees, take a dip in the ocean when it gets too hot.
When hunger strikes you can take your caffeine fix and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Hahei cafe, later sit under the stars tasting wonderful Hahei brewed beers and yummy food at the Pour House Brewery and Beer garden, close to the beach
22 locals recommend
Hahei
My all time favourite beach because of the soft sand, perfect sand and swimming conditions. The water can be warm enough to swim up until late autumn (May).
Spend half a day unwinding with a good book beneath the shade of the huge old Pohutukawa trees, take a dip in the ocean when it gets too hot.
When hunger strikes you can take your caffeine fix and enjoy a delicious lunch at the Hahei cafe, later sit under the stars tasting wonderful Hahei brewed beers and yummy food at the Pour House Brewery and Beer garden, close to the beach
Why the curious name? well there is actually a small gravestone to commemorate a young British Navy Sailor who died here around 150 years ago when a ship was docked near the bay.
It's a little off the beaten track as most tourists miss the turn off from the main State Highway 25 as they head towards the more well known beaches at Mercury Bay.
The plus side of this is that you will often have the beach and its stunning views almost entirely to yourself!
Just a few km north of the town of Tairua you will see a signpost to Pumpkin Hill, take this right hand turn off and it will be easy to see the parking spot for Sailors Grave Beach.
If you have the time and energy its well worth the walk through the bush to the wonderfully private Otara Bay (signposted) or if you want a lazier option, to follow the river a little inland and cool off in the shallows on hot days.
Plenty of shade trees to enjoy a picnic or have a snooze in peace. Grab a takeaway coffee Lala from the Pepe Cafe in Tairua and maybe some snacks to make a day of it.
14 locals recommend
Sailors Grave
Why the curious name? well there is actually a small gravestone to commemorate a young British Navy Sailor who died here around 150 years ago when a ship was docked near the bay.
It's a little off the beaten track as most tourists miss the turn off from the main State Highway 25 as they head towards the more well known beaches at Mercury Bay.
The plus side of this is that you will often have the beach and its stunning views almost entirely to yourself!
Just a few km north of the town of Tairua you will see a signpost to Pumpkin Hill, take this right hand turn off and it will be easy to see the parking spot for Sailors Grave Beach.
If you have the time and energy its well worth the walk through the bush to the wonderfully private Otara Bay (signposted) or if you want a lazier option, to follow the river a little inland and cool off in the shallows on hot days.
Plenty of shade trees to enjoy a picnic or have a snooze in peace. Grab a takeaway coffee Lala from the Pepe Cafe in Tairua and maybe some snacks to make a day of it.
As you are driving east towards Whitianga or west from Merury Bay , you will pass close to this small beach settlement and its worth taking the turn off to explore it.
The beach is often empty and a lovely place to walk and be restored by the ocean roaring in across the sands without any crowds to contend with.
The sand is pristine white and there are picnic tables to sit on.
If hunger strikes you can get delicious food and drink right by the beach at Luke's Kitchen with stone oven pizzas and good seafood.
10 locals recommend
Kūaotunu Beach
As you are driving east towards Whitianga or west from Merury Bay , you will pass close to this small beach settlement and its worth taking the turn off to explore it.
The beach is often empty and a lovely place to walk and be restored by the ocean roaring in across the sands without any crowds to contend with.
The sand is pristine white and there are picnic tables to sit on.
If hunger strikes you can get delicious food and drink right by the beach at Luke's Kitchen with stone oven pizzas and good seafood.
Just pure bliss and a little hidden from the crowds as it requires walking down a bush track to reach. Pristine sand and blue ocean ...lovely memories and a feeling of being in paradise.
If you don't have time to get down there on foot, its also lovely to look at from Shakespeare lookout too (not far from Cooks Beach and signposted from the main highway)
You can drive up to the lookout and take in Mercury Bay and its breathtaking beauty
29 locals recommend
Lonely Bay
Just pure bliss and a little hidden from the crowds as it requires walking down a bush track to reach. Pristine sand and blue ocean ...lovely memories and a feeling of being in paradise.
If you don't have time to get down there on foot, its also lovely to look at from Shakespeare lookout too (not far from Cooks Beach and signposted from the main highway)
You can drive up to the lookout and take in Mercury Bay and its breathtaking beauty
We had many family camping holidays at this hidden gem of a place off the Hikuai - Whangamata road on the south eastern stretch of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Take a left hand turn heading south towards Whangamata and after a drive along the inner harbour and small settlement you will reach the car park to the beach.
It's necessary to take a short walk through thick and fragrant pine forest to reach this beautiful white sand beach, but that's part of its magic.
There is a lovely little campsite here where you can enjoy the peace of the forest
11 locals recommend
Opoutere
We had many family camping holidays at this hidden gem of a place off the Hikuai - Whangamata road on the south eastern stretch of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Take a left hand turn heading south towards Whangamata and after a drive along the inner harbour and small settlement you will reach the car park to the beach.
It's necessary to take a short walk through thick and fragrant pine forest to reach this beautiful white sand beach, but that's part of its magic.
There is a lovely little campsite here where you can enjoy the peace of the forest
Also on the Whangamata road and often overlooked, its a lovely paradise beach. Rugged rock formations creating private little picnic 'booths' and stunning views north across the bay from the lookout above the beach, make this a perfect escape and well worth the detour if you have time
9 locals recommend
Whiritoa
Also on the Whangamata road and often overlooked, its a lovely paradise beach. Rugged rock formations creating private little picnic 'booths' and stunning views north across the bay from the lookout above the beach, make this a perfect escape and well worth the detour if you have time