Waihī is known as Aotearoa New Zealand's 'Heart of Gold', with a gold mining history spanning three centuries and a local open-pit mine that is still fully operational. The main street is reminiscent of pioneering days with bustling cafes and rural businesses in heritage buildings. The heritage railway into the Karangahake Gorge traces the pathway of gold from the township.
The Ohinemuri River flows through Waihī to the ‘must-do’ Karangahake Gorge where you can fish for trout, take nature walks through old mining tunnels and relics, and cycle the Hauraki Rail Trail. Waihī Beach, just 10km from the main town of Waihī, offers 9km of sweeping white sand and is one of the safest surf beaches in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Stay & Explore
Waihī offers plenty of opportunities to explore, with old wooden buildings, museums and history aplenty in town and a beautiful white sand beach just a short drive away where you can relax or enjoy fishing and collecting shellfish. And best of all - there's not a shopping mall in sight!