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Waihi Beach weekend getaway

by | Jul 1, 2025 | Inspiration, Photography, Travel

A small, whimsical structure made of upright sticks and driftwood stands on a sandy beach, with a rock and some greenery nearby. In the background, the wide sandy beach meets the ocean with gentle waves under a clear sky.

A Relaxing Waihi Beach Weekend Getaway.

 

Sometimes the best trips are the ones you almost overlook. Our Waihi Beach weekend getaway was one of those spontaneous escapes that reminded us just how many treasures lie close to home.

Waihi Beach has always been a “drive-past” for us—somewhere between a Coromandel road trip and a Mount Maunganui holiday. But this time, we decided to make it the main event. And honestly? We should’ve done it years ago.

A Scenic Start to the Waihi Beach Weekend Getaway

We left Auckland on a sunny Saturday morning, coffee in hand and weekend bags in the boot. Our first stop on this Waihi Beach weekend getaway was the incredible Karangahake Gorge—a place where gold-mining history and natural beauty meet in the most atmospheric way.

The Windows Walk was unfortunately closed for maintenance, so we explored the Crown Mines Track instead. It takes you through an old railway tunnel (bring a torch!). Then it follows the tranquil Ohinemuri River, shaded by native bush and full of birdsong. It’s one of those walks that feels both peaceful and powerful.

A wide shot of a river with many large boulders and rocks in its bed, flowing through a gorge with steep, green, forested hillsides and a stone wall on the left supporting a road.
A person in a blue jacket and shorts walks along an old railway track through a dense green forest with tall ferns on the left. An old, rusty mining cart sits on a short section of track to the right.
A long, dark, arched tunnel made of brick. A series of small orange lights can be seen receding into the distance at the far end of the tunnel, illuminating the path and the curved brick walls.
A wide shot of a multi-tiered waterfall cascading over dark, mossy rocks into a calm pool of water at the bottom. The waterfall is surrounded by dense green native vegetation and trees under a cloudy sky.
A wide shot of a river flowing through a deep, green gorge with steep, tree-covered hillsides on both banks. A narrow road is visible cut into the right side of the gorge.
A long, narrow suspension bridge made of wood and metal mesh, extending straight into the distance towards a forested hillside. A red and white circular speed limit sign with "40" on it is attached to the left railing. The sky is cloudy with patches of blue.
The dark, arched entrance of a brick tunnel, surrounded by green foliage. A narrow paved path leads into the tunnel, with a small signpost on the left. A tiny speck of light is visible deep inside the tunnel.
A long, dark, arched tunnel made of brick. A series of small orange lights can be seen receding into the distance at the far end of the tunnel, illuminating the path and the curved brick walls.

Afterwards, we made a quick detour to the Owharoa Falls—just off the main road and absolutely worth the stop. It’s a short walk in and suddenly, there’s this gorgeous, cascading waterfall. Easy access, and the kind of place that makes you want to sit down with a sandwich and just breathe it all in.

Discovering Waihi’s Mining Heritage

No Waihi Beach weekend getaway would be complete without a stop in the town of Waihi. This historic mining hub still bears the marks of its past, shaped by the presence of the Martha Mine. It’s one of New Zealand’s most iconic open-pit gold and silver mines.

Take a walk along the rim trail and you’ll get a real sense of the scale. The views are dramatic, and the story of the mine is still unfolding today.

Just across the road, you’ll find the Gold Discovery Centre. This interactive museum brings Waihi’s gold rush era to life in a fun, hands-on way. You can try your hand at “drilling” and “blasting,” explore underground tunnel history, and see how gold was processed. It’s perfect for history buffs and curious families.

For a slower pace, hop aboard the Goldfields Railway. This vintage train runs between Waihi and Waikino Station. The journey takes you through the scenic Karangahake Gorge, offering a relaxed and charming way to enjoy the landscape.

A very large open-pit mine with many visible terraced levels, showing shades of brown, orange, and grey rock. The mine stretches across the middle of the image under a cloudy sky, with green hills visible in the background and some low scrub in the foreground.
A bronze sculpture of two children with their arms raised in a happy or excited gesture, standing on a light-colored plinth in the foreground. Behind them is a street, and across the street are a red historic building with "ROB ROY" on it and a green and white modern building. Yellow-leafed trees are visible.
A tall, rectangular, grey concrete building with several arched window openings and a small, dark doorway at its base. The top of the building has some exposed rebar. It stands on a gravel patch with a metal fence on the left and a glimpse of a town in the distance under a cloudy sky.
A view through a tall, arched window opening in a cracked, grey concrete wall. The window frames a landscape of rolling green hills, some trees, and distant houses under a cloudy sky.

Walking Tracks with Coastal Views

We spent the night at the Tasman Holiday Park in Waihi Beach. It was clean, friendly, and well-maintained.

Best of all, it’s just a short stroll from the water. That made it perfect for a relaxed Waihi Beach weekend getaway.

Classic Kiwi Dinner by the Sea

After arriving at Waihi Beach, we did what every good Kiwi weekend escape calls for—we grabbed fish and chips. Then, of course, we ate them right on the sand.

There’s just something about salty sea air, golden chips, and the sound of waves. Together, they make it feel instantly like summer.

We picked up our dinner from the Waihi Beach Seaside Store & Takeaway—

The fish was super fresh, the chips perfectly crispy—and yes, absolutely delicious.

It’s one of those simple pleasures you really shouldn’t miss. If you want to soak up the true local vibe, this is the way to do it.

Classic. Casual. Unforgettable.

The next morning, we packed some snacks and set off along the coastal trail. We started at Waihi Beach and headed toward Orokawa Bay, then continued on to Homunga Bay.

The track winds through lush native bush and feels wonderfully remote. Every so often, it opens up to cliff-top views of the ocean—those wide, endless blues that take your breath away.

It was one of those perfect New Zealand mornings. The weather was calm and sunny, with just a light breeze. Everything felt still, bright, and absolutely stunning.

Halfway through the hike, my camera lens suddenly gave up (of course!). After a short wave of frustration, I switched to my phone. Surprisingly, it captured the colours and textures of the day beautifully. 

A wide, expansive sandy beach with the ocean on the left. Several people carrying blue and white surfboards are walking along the shoreline. The sky is bright blue with fluffy white clouds, and there are distant pine trees and houses along the far end of the beach.
A green informational sign for the "Orokawa Bay Track" partially hidden by tall green and brown grass. The sign lists distances and times to various locations, including Orokawa Bay, and is surrounded by native New Zealand plants and tree roots.
A wide panoramic view of a long, curving white sand beach with turquoise ocean water, seen from a high vantage point. The foreground is filled with dark green native bush. Distant green hills are visible on the horizon under a bright blue sky with scattered white clouds.
A small, whimsical structure made of upright sticks and driftwood stands on a sandy beach, with a rock and some greenery nearby. In the background, the wide sandy beach meets the ocean with gentle waves under a clear sky.
A wide view of a rocky and pebbly beach with some patches of sand. The foreground is dominated by various sizes of rounded rocks, some with green moss. On the right, the ocean gently laps the shore. On the left, a steep, dark green, forested hillside rises from the beach, with some distinctive trees growing on the rocky outcrop under a blue sky with white clouds.
A wide view of a rocky and sandy beach with a large, bright green moss-covered boulder in the foreground. The shoreline is filled with various sizes of rocks and some sand, leading to the ocean where small waves are breaking. On the left, a steep, green, forested hillside rises from the beach, under a blue sky with white clouds.
A woman in a yellow t-shirt, dark hat, and blue capri pants stands between two large boulders on a beach, playfully pretending to hold up the massive top boulder with her hands raised. Behind her are more rocks, a sandy patch, and trees under a blue sky.
A woman with dark sunglasses and a wide-brimmed grey hat, wearing a yellow t-shirt, smiles directly at the camera. Behind her is a picturesque rocky beach with turquoise ocean water and a steep, green, tree-covered hillside under a bright blue sky with white clouds.
A high-angle view overlooking a secluded bay with brilliant turquoise water. Rocky cliffs and outcrops covered in green trees frame the bay, with waves breaking on the shore. In the foreground, more green trees with white blossoms are visible, and distant islands can be seen on the horizon under a blue sky with scattered clouds.
A person wearing a hat and a backpack walks down a winding dirt path with wooden steps, surrounded by dry grass and green bush. The path leads towards a view of a forested coastline meeting the turquoise ocean under a blue sky with dramatic white clouds.
A woman with dark hair pulled back and sunglasses on her head, wearing a blue jacket over an orange top, smiles while sitting at a blue picnic table. In front of her is a large serving of fish and chips wrapped in paper. Behind her is a sandy beach, the ocean, and distant land under a blue sky with seagulls flying.
A close-up, top-down view of a hollow, dark brown tree fern trunk showing intricate, spiraling patterns and textures in its cross-section. It is surrounded by green grass and blurred foliage.
A person in a blue jacket and shorts walks along an old railway track through a dense green forest with tall ferns on the left. An old, rusty mining cart sits on a short section of track to the right.
A long, narrow suspension bridge made of wood and metal mesh, extending straight into the distance towards a forested hillside. A red and white circular speed limit sign with "40" on it is attached to the left railing. The sky is cloudy with patches of blue.
The dark, arched entrance of a brick tunnel, surrounded by green foliage. A narrow paved path leads into the tunnel, with a small signpost on the left. A tiny speck of light is visible deep inside the tunnel.
A long, dark, arched tunnel made of brick. A series of small orange lights can be seen receding into the distance at the far end of the tunnel, illuminating the path and the curved brick walls.
A long, dark, arched tunnel made of brick. A series of small orange lights can be seen receding into the distance at the far end of the tunnel, illuminating the path and the curved brick walls.
A very large open-pit mine with many visible terraced levels, showing shades of brown, orange, and grey rock. The mine stretches across the middle of the image under a cloudy sky, with green hills visible in the background and some low scrub in the foreground.
A view through a tall, arched window opening in a cracked, grey concrete wall. The window frames a landscape of rolling green hills, some trees, and distant houses under a cloudy sky.
A tall, rectangular, grey concrete building with several arched window openings and a small, dark doorway at its base. The top of the building has some exposed rebar. It stands on a gravel patch with a metal fence on the left and a glimpse of a town in the distance under a cloudy sky.
A bronze sculpture of two children with their arms raised in a happy or excited gesture, standing on a light-colored plinth in the foreground. Behind them is a street, and across the street are a red historic building with "ROB ROY" on it and a green and white modern building. Yellow-leafed trees are visible.
A sandy path leading towards a wide beach and the ocean under a cloudy sky. The path is bordered by tall, dry coastal grasses and leads between two wooden posts with rope barriers. The ocean has gentle waves, and a rocky headland is visible in the distance on the left.

Why Waihi Beach Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

This Waihi Beach weekend getaway reminded me that sometimes the most rewarding trips are the ones we nearly skip. Waihi Beach blends history, nature, and a chilled-out coastal vibe that’s hard to beat.

If you’ve ever driven past and thought, “Maybe next time,” make next time now. Whether you’re into waterfalls, mining heritage, or coastal hikes, Waihi Beach is full of gentle surprises that make it more than worth the detour.

Have you ever stumbled upon a place that completely surprised you? I’d love to hear about your own hidden gem discoveries—or your favourite spots near Waihi Beach! 💬