Campervan Hire Thames
NZ Motorhome Rentals
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Thames Motorhome Rentals
Welcome to NZ Motorhome Rentals Thames – Thames is the gateway to one of New Zealand’s most popular vacation destinations, the Coromandel Peninsula on the East Coast of the North Island. Thames is the perfect origin destination for renting your motorhome to embrace Kiwiana at in its purest form – heading straight to the beach. Kiwis have developed quite the affinity for the Coromandel and each year make the pilgrimage to one of the many beaches spread along the coastline of this beautiful place. Thames is situated about an hours drive on average from most of the Coromandel towns that you’ll absolutely want to visit during your time in this part of the world – so strap in and read on.
NZ Motorhome Rentals, established in 2002, has always viewed the Coromandel as a premium destination for local and international customers traversing New Zealand on their own terms in a motorhome rental from NZ Motorhome Rentals. The Coromandel is the strong hold of New Zealand’s Christmas tree – the Pohutukawa tree. The cliffs and beaches are beautifully adorned with these distinctive trees which are native to New Zealand and look incredibly striking during the peak summer season with their bright red flowers.
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NZ Motorhome Rentals Thames
Thames is situated on the Coromandel Peninsula on the East Coast of the North Island. The Coromandel, as it is affectionately referred to by Kiwis, is an all year round crown jewel in the places to explore, particularly in a motorhome. Cruise from beach to beach, hidden cove to stunning white beach and wake up to the sound of the waves in one of the many fully equipped camp grounds speckled around the area.
Thames was originally founded on the back of the gold rush in 1867. At one point in time Thames stood to overtake Auckland as the major town in the area with over 18,000 people living, working and mining! Several historic buildings remain in tact and well preserved, making Thames a must-see destination on your motorhome adventure throughout the Coromandel.
If visiting locations of historical significance is your motorhome vacation in New Zealand flavour then we recommend a trip over to Waihi in your campervan from Thames. NZ Motorhome Rentals offers a number of campervan pick up and drop off options to best serve our customers. You as the customer are empowered to select your preferred options to explore New Zealand on your own terms. Pick up your 2, 3, 4, 5 or even 6+ berth motorhome rental in Thames and drop off in Wellington if you so desire!
NZ Motorhome Rentals - Itinerary recommendations
The Coromandel - good for your soul
Drive your motorhome north toward the tip of the Coromandel Peninsula. There you find a multitude of opportunities to visit the stunning (although rather popular with tourists and locals alike) Cathedral Cove, New Chums Beach and a sample a number of other beautiful locations at the northern end of the Coromandel featuring a number of fully equipped campgrounds with world class facilities.
With Hot Water Beach literally on your campervan doorstep, get your family and friends together, a few shovels and find your group a spot on the beach and start digging your own spa pool. With geothermal activity providing the excitement enjoy hot water bubbling up from the sand beneath your feet. Hot Water Beach is also a popular surf spot.
For further inspiration on how to best enjoy your motorhome rental adventure to the Coromandel please visit the Coromandel Information Site.
Whangamata and Waihi Wonders
Arguably the crown jewels of the Coromandel motorhome hire experience in New Zealand – Whangamata and Waihi provide exceptional beach experiences. With beaches patrolled all summer by surf lifeguards (we emphasise the importance of water safety in New Zealand – the ocean is unpredictable and must be treated with respect during your campervan rental vacation in New Zealand – see Surf Life Saving New Zealand for additional water safety and activity information).
Thames is best explored on your own terms by campervan
Many motorhome rental options exist for the Coromandel area, at NZ Motorhome Rentals we aim to make your decision easy. Simply enter your preferences into our search engine for a list of Thames Motorhome rentals. Apply the filters to find the perfect motorhome for you. If your kiwi motorhome rental adventure runs the length of the Coromandel Peninsula, then we recommend making use of our flexible pick up and drop off options at the search and booking window.
Thames and the greater Coromandel Peninsula are perfect places to get into nature and truly explore the local landscape. There are so many amazing beaches that you find yourself at if you just follow the road. Thames has a deep history running into the veins of the rivers and ranges that surround it. There are many historical museums that spread the word about the stunning history of gold mining in the area.
The Hauraki Rail Trail is an epic bike ride with a fairly easy gradient that suits a number of ability levels. The ride will take you through Thames, Paeroa, Waihi and the incredible Karangahake Gorge. Many of the motorhomes are fitted with bike racks so feel free to bring your own or hire a bike from one of the many hire shops located about the area.
Following your epic ride we recommend a soak at the Miranda Hot Springs. With a substantial open-air heated pool that’s perfect for families and a hot covered spa for adults only.
We also recommend a stop in Paeroa for the world famous in New Zealand L&P drink. This town features an enormous L&P bottle which is situated right next to the main road.
‘Pārāwai’ – Maori translation of ‘Thames’
The term “Pārāwai” can be broken down into two parts:
- “Pā” refers to a fortified Māori village or settlement. It often refers to a defensive earthwork or palisade that surrounded the village for protection.
- “Rāwai” does not have a widely recognized meaning in the Māori language. However, in the context of Thames, it is believed to be a local variation or adaptation of the original Māori name.
When combined, “Pārāwai” can be interpreted as a reference to a fortified village or settlement, likely alluding to the historical significance of Thames as a Māori settlement and its strategic location along the banks of the Firth of Thames. The English name “Thames” was given by Captain James Cook, the British explorer, and it is named after the Thames River in England.