Top choice in Coromandel Peninsula
Get pleasantly lost in the Refinery, a spacious showcase of 1960s and 1970s Kiwiana style including a turntable where customers are encouraged to play the vinyl records that fill overflowing bins. Good coffee and food (especially the grilled sandwiches – try the Cuban) are best enjoyed on the retro collection of old sofas and dining room furniture filling this heritage building.
There’s stylish accommodation here, too. Welcome to a true Kiwi gem and one of the country's best cafes.
9.57 MILES
Waihi’s superb Gold Discovery Centre tells of the area’s gold-mining past, present and future through interactive displays, focusing on personal and…
18.78 MILES
Walk through a mine tunnel, watch a stamper battery crush rock, learn about the history of the Cornish miners and try your hand at panning for gold…
28.2 MILES
Around seven million years ago Paaku was a volcanic island, but now it forms the northern head of Tairua’s harbour. Ngāti Hei had a pā here before being…
1.85 MILES
Around 3km northwest of Paeroa on SH2, this excellent riverside maritime museum includes details of Captain James Cook's visit to the Firth of Thames and…
Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
4.07 MILES
The very worthwhile 4.5km Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway takes 1½ hours (each way) and starts from the car park 14km west of Waihi. It follows the…
School of Mines & Mineralogical Museum
18.37 MILES
The Historic Places Trust runs tours of these buildings, which house an extensive collection of NZ rocks, minerals and fossils. The oldest section (1868)…
20.61 MILES
About 7km south of town, this gorgeous 4-hectare private garden is all aflap with native and exotic bird life. There's 1.5km of paths, looping out to a…
Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre
24.61 MILES
The Miranda Shorebird Centre has birdlife displays, hires out binoculars and sells useful bird-watching pamphlets. Nearby is a hide and several walks (30…
0.06 MILES
This small museum has a grand selection of Royal Albert porcelain and other pioneer and Māori artefacts – look in the drawers.
1.85 MILES
Around 3km northwest of Paeroa on SH2, this excellent riverside maritime museum includes details of Captain James Cook's visit to the Firth of Thames and…
3. Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway
4.07 MILES
The very worthwhile 4.5km Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway takes 1½ hours (each way) and starts from the car park 14km west of Waihi. It follows the…
4. Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum
6.18 MILES
Across the river from the Waikino train station, the Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum is the former site of the biggest quartz-ore processing plant in…
9.42 MILES
The Waihi Arts Centre & Musuem has an art gallery and displays focusing on the region’s gold-mining history. Prepare to squirm before the collection of…
9.57 MILES
Waihi’s superb Gold Discovery Centre tells of the area’s gold-mining past, present and future through interactive displays, focusing on personal and…
11.67 MILES
In the town’s ornate former thermal sanatorium (aka the ‘Treasure of Te Aroha’). Displays include quirky ceramics, old spa-water bottles, historical…
16.96 MILES
In cooler months, retreat to these two small but blissful outdoor hot pools, hidden within a holiday park around 8km southeast of Waihi Beach.