Lady Bowen Bed and Breakfast

13/10/2026

Please fill out a form to make sure the Hauraki Rail Trail stays open. If you've used it please follow the link and spend a couple of minutes on the survey.

10/10/2026

Looking for a great family day out? Why not discover the amazing world of our migratory birds! With World Migratory Bird Day here, we’re giving a little shoutout to some of our most impressive, feathered visitors, the kuaka otherwise known as the bar-tailed godwit!

These incredible birds travel all the way from Alaska to New Zealand, flying more than 11,000 kilometres across the Pacific Ocean without stopping. It’s one of the most amazing journeys in the bird world! Every spring, they return to our shores to feed and rest during the warmer months before their long journey north again.

The Miranda Shorebird Centre at Kaiaua makes for a wonderful place to visit to see these extraordinary birds. It’s a chance to get the kids outside, explore nature, learn about some truly amazing birds, and discover just how far these tiny travellers fly. Pop into the Shorebird Centre to find out more about their incredible migrations, then head out to the bird hides and see which feathered visitors you can spot. It’s educational, fun, and a lovely way to spend time together before the school holidays are over.

Don't forget to pop into the "World Famous In New Zealand" takeaways at Kaiaua Fisheries for arguably what are the best fish and chips around :)

09/10/2026

How about popping over to the Kopu Bridge on Sunday for the 100 year celebration? It's a great opportunity to see the bridge up close, listen to the bridges history, take a walk over it as it's usually closed and maybe have a sausage. 10am :)

08/10/2026

Another amazing spring Thames day today, so we're suggesting you head off to the Karangahake Gorge for the day. Lots of walks for all levels, take you bikes if you want and do part of the Hauraki Rail Trail through the gorge and on to Waihi, catch the train from the middle of the gorge into Waihi, take some lunch or pick some up from the eateries along the way, enjoy wandering through the old goldmining areas and seeing the remains from a by-gone era and check out the historic Waikino Hotelfor a cold drink and maybe a meal. If the children are up for it a great stop is Bullswool Farm Park with lots to see and do. It's a day with something for everyone.

07/10/2026

Another gorgeous school holiday Thames day and its perfect for driving up the coast to visit the Rapaura Water Gardens. Such a beautiful place to wander through and lots of areas for the kids to run and let off some steam. The cafe is lovely and is a great place to have a good coffee, a cold drink, snacks or even lunch. Enjoy!

06/10/2026

Lovely day today and not a cloud in the sky. It's the perfect day to hike to the Pinnacles to see the incredible views. It's 3 hours each way so get your hiking shoes on, pack your lunch, some snacks and water and get yourself up to the Pinnacles carpark. Every day we have people stay here who have travelled across the world to do this famous walk. Probably not suitable for young children as it's graded as an "intermediate" walk by DOC but an adventure for the older (and reasonably fitter) ones. (If it all gets too much you don't have to go all the way up and can just stop at the DOC hut) . NOTE: Be sure to check all the information at the DOC site https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/coromandel/places/coromandel-forest-park/things-to-do/kauaeranga-kauri-trail/

05/10/2026

What to do today for the kids on the school holidays? How about going fishing up the Thames Coast? No problem if you don't all have fishing rods as you can grab some handlines and off you go. Get some bait at Tararu Store & Bait Station and head up the coast. Find a likely looking spot (not by lots of rocks if you don't want the children continuously getting snagged and loosing bait and hooks) and throw your lines in. Lots of fun, lots of laughs, a chance to just chat and 'be". I doesn't matter if you don't catch anything as a walk along the beach followed by a stop for fish and chips at Tapu Takeaways will solve that problem. Good old-fashioned salt water therapy :D

04/10/2026

It's a little grey and cold in Thames today so how about taking the kids to Te Aroha?. It's a great day to explore the historic township and have a swim in the warm pools. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Swim%20Zone%20te%20Aroha/293555954868066/

Water Park

04/10/2026

Kauaeranga Visitor Center with the children for the 9th day of the holidays. Check out the displays, decide which of the many walks or trails you want to do and take a lunch to eat at one of the picnic tables or beside the river and explore the area. You can do a quick walk, a short hike or even one of the longer ones if the children are older and you have the appropriate equipment with you. Enjoy!

03/10/2026

Big shout out to our newest top fan! 💎 Wendy Palenski

Thank you Wendy. Your support means so much to our small business.