Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
Image: DOC

Introduction

The Kauaeranga Visitor Centre is your gateway to the Kauaeranga Valley, Coromandel Forest Park and Northern Coromandel region.

Details

Kauaeranga Visitor Centre
Phone:   +64 7 867 9080
Fax:   +64 4 471 1117
Email:   kauaerangavc@doc.govt.nz
Address:   995C Kauaeranga Valley Road
Thames 3577
Postal Address:   PO Box 343
Thames 3540

 Opening hours

  • 8:30 am – 4 pm daily off peak/shoulder season
  • 8:30 am – 5 pm peak summer season
  • Closed Christmas day

The Visitor Centre will close during severe weather.

Facilities and displays

  • Toilets inside the centre, and 24-hour toilets at the end of the carpark.
  • Refreshments and camping supplies.
  • Filtered water from tap.
  • Displays on the cultural, historic and natural features of the Kauaeranga Valley.
  • Watch a 20-minute film about the history of kauri logging in the valley "The Last of the Kauri Bushmen" in our theatre, as well as a number of other nature films. (Gold coin donation.)

Wash your gear to prevent kauri dieback

Kauri dieback has been found on the Coromandel. To prevent it spreading, wash your gear at the stations at the visitor centre. More about kauri dieback.

Getting there

The visitor centre is 13 km (15–20 minutes) from Thames on Kauaeranga Valley Road.

From Thames travel along Banks Street (BP Service Station on the corner) which turns into Parawai Road. Continue as it passes through the settlement turning in Kauaeranga Valley Road.

After hours information for campers

If you arrive after hours and wish to stay in one of the nine campgrounds you can pay by cash in the envelope provided at the visitor centre. The envelopes and dropbox are to the right of the main doors.

You can also pay using the online booking system for each campsite:

If you wish to pay by card you must pay at the visitor centre during opening hours.

Kahikatea Campsite

Kahikatea Campsite is for certified self-contained campervans only. These sites are booked online or at the centre, but you must collect keys at the centre during opening hours unless prior arrangements have been made.

Conference room hire

The Kauaeranga Visitor Centre facility is available for hire for private or corporate functions.  It 's ideal for business meetings, team building exercises, training courses and conferences.

The venue is close to Thames, yet in a secluded bush setting. The building is modern and well-lit with ample parking for all sized vehicles.

Facilities

Depending on the function, maximum capacity is 60 people. We recommend 30-40 people as a maximum for comfort.

We provide a training room with tables and chairs for 60, wifi, whiteboards and a projector. 

Catering is available through the visitor centre. 

There are two cottages available for accommodation nearby: Cookson Cottage and Kauri Cottage

Hire costs

  • Full Day:  $100.00 + GST (5 hours +)
  • Half Day: $50.00 + GST (4 hours)
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