Thames (NZ): John William Hall Arboretum & Memorial Seat

While the heat descends on the town and country, a walk through the bush may be a pleasant activity. On our backdoor is the world renown arboretum - established by John William Hall, a chemist on the Thames Goldfield from late 1867.

Drive up Mount Sea Road to the top car park and you will see the two entrances to the arboretum.

There is a seat to stop and rest on (before or after), which has some glimpses of the sea through the trees below.

ABOVE: The rest area at the carpark at the top of Mount Sea Road. The track top right leads up the hill to the top of the arboretum and a lookout area. There is a track beyond, that is not complete and not recommended at this stage. You walk back down the track to the carpark area.

BELOW: Left: The seat has a memorial plaque - "In Loving Memory of RON HALL 1938 - 2017 Forever in our hearts" Right: View down to the lower track that does a circuit from Currie Street to Brunton Crescent Entrance and back up to Martin Street. There is a link to Korokoro Crescent entrance.

  

 

Enjoy the bush walks around Thames!

Further information:

The Thames-Coromandel District Council has details of the John William Hall Arboretum, including a downloadable pdf document.

Thames (NZ): Special Trees at the Thames

The magnificent pohutakawa tree at Victoria Park, Thames. We are so lucky that our ancestors planted such a beautiful park. The flowering each year appears more magnificent than the last. The area was once part of the foreshore, later reclaimed after the railway line was installed to the Grahamstown Railway Station and Price's Foundry on Beach Road.

Now the town is embarked on further pohutakawa plantings around the town. The trees in Mary Street (between Queen and Pollen Streets) are thriving and also a picture in full bloom. Thank you TCDC; may the plantings continue, and we will truly be the pohutakawa town, and lead on to the beautiful trees that line the Thames Coast Road.