Thames Thames is a former gold mining boom town which is now the main service hub for the Coromandel Peninsula’s many settlements. While other towns lose their banks, you’ll still find them in Thames - along with everything else from department stores to award winning beauty therapy, niche retailers, great cafes and Jolly Bikes for hire and shuttles. There are many historical homes, some of which including the Lady Bowen that was built in 1868, can be a feature of your Hauraki Rail Trail ride if you choose to stay and base yourself in the bushclad hills and coastal-fronted township of Thames. The Lady Bowen is one of the original hotels of Thames and was named after Lady Diamantina Bowen who was Governor George Bowen’s wife. George Bowen was Governor of New Zealand at the time. Owners Barbara and Stuart Caisley suspect Diamantina never even came to Thames, although at the time the hotel was built, Thames was bigger than Auckland. The hotel had many uses since then, running as a hotel until the early 1950s when the owner took the name Lady Bowen and his liquor license to another hotel in Thames, leaving the property with a future wide open. “In the ensuing years it was used as a family home, it’s spent some time empty, it was an electrical workshop at one stage, it was a backpackers, a guesthouse, and it’s said that it was at one stage a brothel. It’s had rather a colourful history,” says Barbara. 16
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Hauraki Rail Trail
The Treasury
Barbara and Stu arrived three years ago and bought it as an empty building. They decided to try it as a bed and breakfast and with eight rooms available, they are popular with cycling groups. “Our plan is to convert kiwis so they can experience a really good bed and breakfast. We really look after our guests and are able to lock their bikes up, give them a memorable time with a shared lounge and dining room, outside covered decks and large garden.” Guests mingle if they want to but the place is big enough to just chill with a good book if you prefer. Barbara’s tips for Thames: “Cycle the trail, explore the historical attractions like old gold mines on the side of the road – the stamper battery at Goldmine Experience – and a lot of famous walks such as the Pinnacles Walk to spectacular scenery.” Thames has great shopping, regular Saturday morning market in Pollen St, Grahamstown and a crafter’s market every second monthly Saturday from 8am-2pm at St James Hall.
