Miranda Hot Springs: Is It Open?
Miranda Hot Springs is closed. The operator's own website says renovations are still underway, with no reopening date, and map listings show the pools as temporarily closed. Miranda is still worth the half-hour drive from Thames, though: the Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre down the road is open every day and free, and two other hot pools are within reach.
Is Miranda Hot Springs open right now?
No. As of 28 October 2026, the Miranda Hot Springs website says renovations are still underway. It does not give a date for reopening. Map listings show the pools as temporarily closed, and the website still shows an old price list, so don't rely on it. Phone the pools on 07 867 3055 before you set off.
What Miranda Hot Springs offered
The springs have a long history. The operator says they were used before Europeans arrived, and the present pool was built in 1959 and 1960. When it was open, the site had:
| Pool | What the operator describes |
|---|---|
| Main thermal pool | 47 m by 17 m, 36 to 38°C depending on the season, with aqua-lift entry |
| Children's pool | Kept at a cooler temperature |
| Sauna pool | Adults only, around 40 to 41°C |
| Private spa pools | Four |
The pools are on Front Miranda Road, about 31 km from Thames. That is roughly a 30-minute drive along State Highway 25 and Front Miranda Road. For more on the roads in and out of town, see getting to Thames.
What to do at Miranda instead: the Shorebird Centre
The Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre is at 283 East Coast Road, about 36 km from Thames and a few minutes past the hot springs turn-off. It is open 9am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day, and entry is always free. The centre is a registered charity, so a donation helps.
Inside there is a shop with gifts and natural history books. The centre also rents out self-contained units and bunkrooms if you want to stay overnight.
How do you get to the bird hides?
The bird hides are 2 km south of the centre. You can walk there in about 30 minutes each way, or drive to the car park at the far end of the trail and walk the last 200 m.
When is the best time to see the birds?
Go within two hours either side of high tide. As the water rises, the birds are pushed off the mudflats and gather close to the hides, which makes them much easier to see. The centre says numbers peak from January to March. Check the tide before you leave Thames, because at low tide the birds are far out on the flats.
Hot pools near Thames that are open
If a soak was the point of the trip, two options are within reach of Thames.
| Hot pool | From Thames | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Te Aroha Mineral Spas | About 53 km, around 45 min | Private wooden tubs filled from the Mokena Geyser. Bookings essential |
| Hot Water Beach | About 72 km via SH25A, allow about 1.5 hours | Dig your own pool in the sand within two hours either side of low tide |
Te Aroha Mineral Spas
The Te Aroha Mineral Spas sit in the Edwardian Domain at the foot of Mount Te Aroha. Each private wooden tub is filled with mineral water from the Mokena Geyser, and bookings are essential. Massage and beauty treatments are offered at Domain House next door.
The Thames link goes back a long way. Matamata-Piako District Council notes that in the 1870s visitors came to the Te Aroha springs on boat excursions from Thames, and the first permanent bath houses were built from 1883.
Hot Water Beach
Hot Water Beach is on the east coast of the peninsula, about 12 km south east of Whitianga. Within two hours either side of low tide you can dig into the sand and let hot water seep up to form a pool. The water can reach 64°C, so test it carefully. Spades can be hired nearby. The surf has strong rips, so pick a calm day if you plan to swim. Our guide to beaches near Thames covers this side of the peninsula.
Plan a Miranda day trip from Thames
- Check the high tide time for the Firth of Thames and aim to reach the hides within two hours of it.
- Drive about 30 minutes from Thames to the Shorebird Centre on East Coast Road.
- Walk or drive to the hides, then come back to the centre for the shop and displays.
- Back in Thames, finish with a walk along the Thames coastal walkway, which has its own views over the Firth.
If you are travelling with children, our Thames with kids guide has more ideas. For a longer stay, see things to do in Thames and where to stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is Miranda Hot Springs open?
Not at the moment. The operator's website says renovations are still underway and gives no reopening date, and map listings show the pools as temporarily closed. Phone 07 867 3055 before you drive out.
How far is Miranda from Thames?
About 31 km, or roughly half an hour by car. The Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre is about 36 km from Thames, a few minutes further along the coast.
Is the Miranda Shorebird Centre free?
Yes. The centre says it is always free to visit. It is a registered charity, so donations are welcome. It opens 9am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day.
When is the best time to see birds at Miranda?
Within two hours either side of high tide, when the rising water pushes the birds close to the hides. The centre says the highest numbers are present from January to March.
Where can I soak in hot pools near Thames?
Te Aroha Mineral Spas, about 45 minutes south, has private mineral tubs that must be booked. Hot Water Beach, about 72 km away via State Highway 25A, lets you dig your own pool around low tide.
Sources, checked 28 October 2026: Miranda Hot Springs website; Pūkorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre visitor page; Te Aroha Mineral Spas website; Matamata-Piako District Council, Te Aroha Domain; Wikipedia, Hot Water Beach. Distances and drive times from OpenStreetMap routing.