Down Thyme

Coromandel Peninsula


On the semirural outskirts of Waihi town, Down Thyme successfully combines European and Turkish flavours. Sit on the outdoor deck and enjoy lamb shish kebab for lunch or grilled duck breast for dinner. There's a compact selection of German beers too.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Coromandel Peninsula attractions

1. Waihi Arts Centre & Museum

0.83 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…

2. Gold Discovery Centre

1.07 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…

3. Victoria Battery Tramway & Museum

3.07 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…

4. Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway

6.05 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…

5. Athenree Hot Springs

8.53 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.

6. Paeroa Museum

8.69 MILES

This small museum has a grand selection of Royal Albert porcelain and other pioneer and Māori artefacts – look in the drawers.

7. Historical Maritime Park

10.04 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…

8. Te Aroha Museum

11.91 MILES

In the town’s ornate former thermal sanatorium (aka the ‘Treasure of Te Aroha’). Displays include quirky ceramics, old spa-water bottles, historical…