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Thames School of Mines

Cnr of Brown and Cochrane Streets. The school opened in 1886 offering practical instruction to goldminers working the quartz fields and closed 1954. Today as one of the most significant museums of its type in Australasia, it is administered by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust. If antique buildings is your thing don’t miss the old laroratory classroom, untouched since the last student went off home.

Thames Historical Museum

Cnr Cochrane & Pollen Streets. Displays of early European settlement, the days of the famous gold rush and more recent 20th century development. The remarkable history and production of the Thames foundries is also covered; timber jacks, logging locos and even cast iron houses! The museum is in a garden setting.

Thames Small Gauge Railway

Brown St. The facilities include a heritage style station, steaming bays, sidings and turntable hydraulically operated to rise and fall, tunnel and three bridges. Trains run every Sunday 11AM - 3PM circumstances permitting and visitors are welcome.

Tropical Butterfly and Orchid Garden

Victoria St, Tararu (3km north of Thames). Many different species from all over the world and up to 400 butterflies at any one time. More than 100 different plant species and 250 to 300 exotic orchids.

Thames Society of Arts Gallery

hames Cultural Centre, Old North School, Tararu Road (3km north of Thames). Housed in the historic building that once was the North School, the Thames Society of Arts Gallery is definitely worth a visit. Just three minutes from town along the Thames Coast Road, the gallery displays a unique selection of high quality original works by local artists.

January - April
October - December

Information not available

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