Edutainment

Edutainment offers experiences that can’t be matched in the virtual world. By immersing yourself in a range of activities outside of your everyday life you have the opportunity to learn something new while being thoroughly entertained. This is a great way to spend time with friends, partners and your children as there are endless benefits to making learning fun. Many activities are free or available at small cost and provide one with enriching entertainment.

It may be learning a new sport such as dirt-board riding, going on a tour and learning how gold is drawn from the earth or visiting a museum to learn the history of a town or region. 

Below is a list of some of the best Edutainment activities in the Waihi Region.

Gold Discovery Centre

Across the globe and over thousands of years, one particular treasure has captivated us like no other; gold. Now Waihi is offering fresh inspiration for your own adventure.

The Award Winning Gold Discovery Centre is open to those seeking a one-of-a-kind experience. Visitors will step through a dramatic entryway and their journey of discovery will begin…

Open Daily from 9am to 5pm

Ph (07) 863 9015

www.golddiscoverycentre.co.nz

Waihi Goldmine Tours

Waihi township has a fascinating mining history and a Waihi Gold Mine Tour is a must-do for those wanting to get up-close and personal with a modern-day working gold mine.

Although mining operations are ordinarily off-limits to members of the public, Waihi Gold Mine Tours offers visitors an opportunity to find out about the mining of precious metals and Waihi gold mining history.

You’ll be fitted out with safety gear in preparation for going on-site and will view the mine workings from the best available vantage points. You’ll be shown every stage of the mining process from ore extraction and crushing through to final processing. There is plenty of heavy-duty mining equipment on show too.

Tour Times
We’re currently running two van tours per day, six days per week. Our tour van seats 11 passengers and departs from the Waihi Visitor Centre, Monday to Saturday at 10:30am and 12.30pm.

Location
Tours depart from the Waihi Visitor Centre, 126 Seddon Street, Waihi – opposite the Historic Cornish Pumphouse.

Length of Tour

Van Tours: 1.5 hours.

Bookings (recommended)

Phone (07) 863 9015 or email us to reserve your seats.

www.waihigoldminetours.co.nz

GOLDFIELDS RAILWAY

The Paeroa-Waihi railway link opened on November 9, 1905 mainly to transport goods and people to and from the mines of Waihi. Since the line closed in 1978 a committee was set up to save the Waihi-Waikino section of the track. The original link necessitated a 1 km long brick lined tunnel and six major bridges, which are now enjoyable parts of the Hauraki Rail Trail. The Waihi Railway Station (500 meters from the Palm Motel) historical area contains the most complete collection of early railway buildings left in New Zealand.

Experience NZ Rail History.  The historic Goldfields Railway runs three times daily between Waihi and Waikino on weekends and school holidays.  Bikes can be taken on board if you would like to combine the train-ride with a bicycle ride of the Hauraki Rail Trail. Check their website for specifics on times and cost.

Check with us for the timetable.

ph: 07 863 8251

www.waihirail.co.nz

Victoria Battery

Time: Sundays

Location: Waikino

Cost: Site access is free. Small fee for museum and kilns.
Here’s your opportunity to see the Historic Victoria Battery site in action. This was the largest quartz crushing plant in Australasia, and every Sunday through winter between 10am and 2.30pm they’re open with guided tours of the underground kiln and tunnel.

To get there head about 8 kms from Waihi towards Karangahake Gorge and park either at the car park next to the Waikino Railway Station or at the start of Waitawheta Rd.

Bullswool Farm Park

Bullswool Farm Park offers an unforgettable hands-on rural experience, set in beautiful farmland. Follow the walking tracks and get up close to our many rare-breed farm animals. All are friendly and can be hand fed. Voted one of the AAs 101 Must Dos for Kiwis, and voted one of The Coromandel’s best visitor attractions, Bullswool Farm is a Southern Coromandel Icon, and an unmissable Kiwi rural adventure!

Location: 10 minutes drive from Palm Motel Waihi.

www.bullswoolfarm.co.nz

Waihi Museum

The museum presents the history of the gold mining era 1880’s – 1950’s in the Karangahake and Waihi areas.. The museum presents the history of the gold mining era in the Ohinemuri Goldfields and the Waihi Mines.

ph (07) 863 8386

www.waihimuseum.co.nz

Copyright 2019 | Palm Motel Waihi. All Rights Reserved.

Design & Development By Webmaniacs

Accommodation Waihi ~ Accommodation Hauraki ~ Accommodation Coromandel ~ Best Accommodation Waihi ~ Best Accommodation Hauraki Rail Trail ~ Best Accommodation Coromandel ~ Motel Waihi ~ Motel Hauraki ~ Motel Coromandel ~ Affordable Motel Waihi ~ Affordable Motel Hauraki ~ Affordable Motel Coromandel