Thames Accommodation: Where to Stay in Thames, NZ
Thames has accommodation for every budget: motels along the main routes into town, boutique lodges and B&Bs in the historic streets, a holiday park for families and campervans, and Department of Conservation campsites up the Kauaeranga Valley near the Pinnacles. As the gateway town to the Coromandel Peninsula, Thames makes a practical base for exploring beaches, bush walks and the Hauraki Rail Trail.
Key takeaways
- Motels are the most common option in Thames, clustered on Pollen Street and the state highways into town.
- Lodges and B&Bs suit couples wanting character stays in and above the old goldfields town.
- Holiday parks and DOC campsites cover families, campervans and trampers heading for the Pinnacles.
- Thames is roughly a 90-minute to 2-hour drive from Auckland, so it is a common first or last night on a Coromandel trip.
- Book ahead for summer (December to February) and long weekends, when the Coromandel fills quickly.
Where should you stay in Thames?
The best place to stay in Thames depends on your trip. Choose a motel if you want easy parking, self-contained units and a short walk or drive to Pollen Street's shops and restaurants. Choose a lodge or B&B for a quieter, more characterful stay, often with views over the Firth of Thames. Choose a holiday park or campsite if you are travelling with a campervan, tent or family, or planning to tramp in the Kauaeranga Valley.
Motels in Thames
Motels are the mainstay of Thames accommodation. Most offer self-contained studios and family units with off-street parking, close to the town centre. The motels below are listed with details from their own websites, checked in October 2026.
| Motel | Address | Phone | What the motel says about itself |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuscany on Thames | Thames (see website) | 07 868 5099 | Describes itself as the newest motel in Thames. All units are ground floor, with heat pumps and spa baths except the two access units. |
| Avalon Motel | 104 Jellicoe Crescent, Thames | See website | A Thames motel on Jellicoe Crescent. |
| Rolleston Motel | 105 Rolleston Street, Thames | See website | Part of the Wenzel Motels group, with studios, one and two-bedroom apartments and a suite, several with air conditioning. |
| Brookby Motel | 102 Redwood Lane, Thames | 07 868 6663 | A quiet, central motel run by hosts Yvonne and Keith Burns. |
| Coastal Motor Lodge | Thames (see website) | See website | Pitches itself as a base for day trips around the Coromandel Peninsula, beside the coast. |
Rates and availability change with the season and school holidays, so check prices directly with each motel before you book. The Thames business directory lists more local businesses.
Lodges and B&Bs
For a more personal stay, Thames has chalets and bed-and-breakfasts that suit couples and walkers on the Hauraki Rail Trail.
- Grafton Cottage & Chalets: individual private chalets in an elevated spot overlooking Thames with sea views, with breakfast available. Phone 07 868 9971.
Other B&Bs and holiday homes come and go, so it is worth checking a booking site or asking the Thames i-SITE for current options.
Holiday parks and campsites
Families, campervanners and trampers are well catered for around Thames. Dickson Holiday Park and the Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites in the Kauaeranga Valley, the starting point for the popular Pinnacles walk, cover most needs.
Dickson Holiday Park
Dickson Holiday Park is at 115 Victoria Street, Thames. It offers campsites, caravans, cabins, self-contained flats and backpacker rooms, and the park describes itself as sitting between a stream and the mountains. The office is open 8:30am to 8pm from November to April, and 8:30am to noon and 2pm to 6pm in winter, with an on-site phone service from 6 to 9pm. Phone 07 868 7308 or book through the park's website. Prices are not published on the site, so check when you book.
DOC campsites in the Kauaeranga Valley
DOC runs several campsites beside the Kauaeranga River. Two are useful to know about:
- Totara Flat Campsite: 7.5 km up the valley from the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre and open all year, including winter.
- Trestle View Campsite: at the top end of the valley, closest to the Webb Creek Track up to the Pinnacles.
At both, DOC charges $10 per adult (18 and over) and $5 per child (5 to 17) per night, and under-5s are free. Booking is required: DOC does not keep spaces for campers who arrive without a booking, so reserve on the DOC website before you drive up. Fees and booking windows change, so confirm them on DOC's campsite pages.
If you are planning to walk the Pinnacles or explore the ranges, read our guide to walks and tracks around Thames before you go.
Comparing your options
| Type | Best for | Typical location | Book via |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motels | Couples, families, easy parking | Pollen Street & highways into Thames | Direct / booking sites |
| Lodges & B&Bs | Couples, character stays, rail-trail walkers | Historic town & hillside | Direct |
| Holiday parks | Families, campervans, budget | In and around town | Direct |
| DOC campsites | Trampers, Pinnacles walkers | Kauaeranga Valley | DOC website |
Getting around from your base in Thames
Thames is compact enough to explore on foot once you have parked, and it is the natural launch point for day trips around the Coromandel. From your accommodation you can reach the Hauraki Rail Trail, the main things to do in Thames, and plenty of places to eat and drink along Pollen Street. For official regional information, the Explore Thames visitor site lists further stays across the district.
Thames on the map
Frequently asked questions
What is the best area to stay in Thames?
The central Pollen Street area is the best base for first-time visitors, putting shops, cafes and restaurants within walking distance. For quieter stays with views, look to the hillside lodges and the coast just north of town.
Does Thames have hotels or mainly motels?
Thames accommodation is mostly motels, lodges and B&Bs rather than large hotels. This gives good-value, self-contained options, but it also means rooms are limited, so booking ahead matters in summer.
How far is Thames from Auckland?
Thames is about a 90-minute to two-hour drive from Auckland, which is why many visitors spend their first or last Coromandel night there.
Where can I camp near Thames?
The Department of Conservation runs campsites in the Kauaeranga Valley, east of Thames, near the start of the Pinnacles walk, including Totara Flat (open all year) and Trestle View. DOC charges $10 per adult and $5 per child per night and requires a booking. Dickson Holiday Park, at 115 Victoria Street, has campsites, cabins and flats for campervans and families.
When should I book Thames accommodation?
Book well ahead for summer (December to February), Easter and long weekends, when Coromandel demand is highest. Outside those periods you can usually find rooms at shorter notice.