Matamata Attractions | Te Aroha Attractions | Morrinsville Attractions

TE AROHA ATTRACTIONS

Te Aroha is a beautiful, historic Edwardian spa town, nestled at the base of Mt Te Aroha (952m).
Famous for its Hot Springs Domain, Te Aroha attracts visitors from all over the world to its spas and the world’s only hot soda water geyser. The 44ha domain in the centre of the town includes bush walking tracks, lawns, gardens, barbecue and picnic areas.
The lovely old Cadman House bath house is now a museum, open weekends and public holidays and containing fascinating displays of Te Aroha’s colourful past.
Te Aroha serves as the centre for an extensive farming district and seat of local government.

Galleries
A selection of local art and craft retailers. Phone Te Aroha i-SITE, 884 8052, for further details.

Gardens
The gardens of the Te Aroha area are beautiful, varied and individual.

Hot Mineral Spa
The famed waters of the Te Aroha Hot Springs Domain are situated at the top of the park and enjoyed by people of all ages.
Te Aroha’s mineral water rates as some of the softest in NZ. Open every day 9am - 10pm (except Christmas Day). The spas are very popular, bookings are advisable, phone 884 8717.

Information Service
There is so much to see and do that it is best to contact the Te Aroha i-SITE Visitor Centre on 884 8052 for details – located at the southern end of Whitaker St and open Mon - Fri 9.30am - 5pm, weekends and public holidays 9.30am - 4pm (closed Christmas Day).
The centre stocks postcards, souvenirs, DOC maps and hut passes and is the town’s agency for Intercity, Interislander and Tranzscenic.

Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park
Extending from Karangahake Gorge near Paeroa, southward to the Mamaku Plateau, the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park gives protection to the rugged bush covered ranges. Activity throughout the ranges from early Maori to the present has left a vast historical legacy including old Maori trails and sites, early coach routes, gold mining relics and logging remains, amongst others. Many of these remains contribute to a developed network of walking tracks and sites offering a variety of places to visit.
Activities available include short walks, picnic sites, swimming, camping, sightseeing, tramping, huts, outdoor education, hunting. People may freely enter the park at any time but hut fees are payable and permits required when taking in animals and for hunting. Detailed information about the park is available from Te Aroha i-SITE in Whitaker St, phone 884 8052.

Mount Te Aroha
In Maori legend, Kahu-Mata-Momoe, son of a Bay of Plenty chief, climbed to the summit of the mountain. He was overjoyed to see in the distance the familiar landmarks of his tribal home. He uttered the words, “This mountain shall be called the Mountain of Aroha. Herein shall repose forever the great love of Kahu-Mata-Momoe”.
The legend continues that in time the spirit of Kahu-Mata-Momoe caused a stream of crystal water to flow from the heart of his mountain. Where the stream emerged there appeared hot springs with healing qualities. A clear pool in the cleft of a rock was known as the “Mirror of Te Mamoe” and became a wishing well for newly married couples.
When the curative value of the spring water was discovered by Europeans, a bore was sunk on the site of this pool, resulting in a geyser of hot soda water . . . the only one of its kind in the world.
It has been named the Mokena Geyser, in honour of the Maori chief who once owned the land on which Te Aroha grew.
The mountain summit can be reached by tracks. The panoramic views from the summit are some of the most spectacular in the country.
On a clear day Mt Taranaki, the peaks of the Tongariro National Park, the islands of the Hauraki Gulf, White Island, Mt Maunganui and stretches of the Bay of Plenty can be seen clearly. The mountain is now part of the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park.

St Mark’s Pipe Organ
Built in 1712 for Queen Anne, Renatus Harris’ masterpiece was one of 10 commissioned by the queen and is the oldest pipe organ in the southern hemisphere. It is the only one of the 10 still fully operational and features beautiful oak carving by Grinling Gibbons on the casework. Brought to New Zealand in 1927 by Maud Elizabeth St Barbe Wayne as a gift for St Mark’s Church, the organ was restored to its original grandeur in 1985. For tours and recitals phone 884 6631 after hours.

Te Aroha and District Museum
Cadman Bath House, Te Aroha Domain. Extensive collection of Te Aroha memorabilia, photos, hydrotherapy equipment and Lemon and Te Aroha bottle collection. Phone 884 4427 or 884 8052.

Waihou River
This beautiful waterway passes through the centre of Te Aroha and was once a busy means of transport especially during the gold mining days. Today the Waihou is a popular fishing river and is unique as the only place where trout can be taken using bait.

Waiorongomai Goldfield
Gold was discovered in the Waiorongomai Valley just south of Te Aroha in 1880 and a gold rush ensued. Although the early enthusiasm faded and little is left to show present day visitors the large scale of mining operations, the atmosphere and relics remain.
Today the area is renowned for its walking tracks and breathtaking scenery. Maps and information can be obtained from Te Aroha i-SITE phone 884 8052 or from DOC 0-7-578 7677.

Te Aroha Leisure Pools
New in 1999, heated swimming pools in picturesque domain setting. Phone 884 4498.

Short Walks

Howarth Memorial Wetland Reserve
A one hour loop walk around wetland flora and fauna. Access from Spur St or the railway bridge over the Waihou River. A pleasant walk for all ages and fitness levels.
Karangahake Walkway
Situated in the Karangahake Gorge between Paeroa and Waihi, this easy walking track features many historic relics from the area’s gold mining past and passes through a spectacular river gorge.
Rapurapu Kauri Walk
(1 hour each way)The track is signposted from SH 29, 1km past Rapurapu Rd. It passes through farmland for 1⁄2km, then enters easy bush country descending gently to the Rapurapu Stream, which it crosses eight times to reach this very southern kauri stand. Crossings are easy but caution is required during periods of heavy rain.
Te Aroha Mountain
Six to 80 year olds have climbed Mt Te Aroha. It also boasts one of NZ’s top 10 mountain bike tracks. Easy lowland walks taking in Te Aroha’s early history, to more arduous climbs to the top for a magnificent view. Access from Te Aroha Domain or Tui Rd. Afterwards you can soothe your tired muscles at the base of the mountain in the Te Aroha Mineral Spas, phone 884 8717.
Waiorongomai Goldfields
This extensively developed goldfield (1880-1946) is situated 3kms south of Te Aroha and contains NZ’s oldest existing historic tracks and sites, tramlines, inclines, tunnels, mines, battery sites. Easy and arduous walks.
Wairere Falls View Track
(3⁄4 hour one way) From the end of Goodwin Rd the track follows the fast flowing boulder strewn Wairere Stream, through attractive bush to the towering Wairere Falls, the highest waterfall in the North Island (153m).

Matamata Attractions | Te Aroha Attractions | Morrinsville Attractions