Thames School of Mines

Never thought I'd write a recommendation for a 'school of mines'... but everyone HAS to know! This place ROCKS! Mind the pun... because they have an awesome museum that is loaded with every kind of rock you could think of, with gold, silver, precious gems and things I had never even heard of but they blew my mine! I mean mind 🤭 However any place like this would just be a boring historical building if it wasn't for the awesome people who work there! We had tours, laughs, quizzes, got taught how to pan for GOLD! and learned so much that we didn't even know we cared to know about! But we did. It was awesome. Please don't brush this off thinking it will be lame. It isn't because the people who work here make it so much more than a historical tour thanks to their personalities and their passion... did I mention we found loads of gold flakes and semi precious gems when we went panning too?

This place harbours a lot of treasures history about the Gold Rush era in NZ . The school has its labs and classrooms with desks, chalk board and apparatus still intact. Models of how machines of yesteryear operated are on display and the the tour guides were very informative in updating us with a lot of knowledge. Another area of the museum held scores of precious stones, minerals, fossils and even coral. A must visit for especially the geography enthusiasts

What a fascinating place. The tour was excellent and the guide friendly and knowledgeable. The rock shop was also great and I went home with a few new items. Highly recommend.

We arrived in Thames late 07/10/2023 and found we had just missed the Thames School of Mines 15:30 pm last session for the day. The lady suggested coming back the next day at 10:30am. So we did. Steve our tour guide was absolutely a fountain of information regarding Thames School of Mines. Thames School of Mines is a treasure trove of artifacts, buildings, historic information and a visual feast. We loved the whole allocated time and extra Steve put into showing us Thames School of Mines. Love the Moa Gizzard Stones Steve.

We really enjoyed taking this tour! FANTASTIC tour given by Russel, Very informative and knowledgeable guide. If you like to know the heritage and history of mining in Thames and NZ, Highly recommend visiting this place . The school is in as is condition from 1950s and has an artistic and nostalgic appeal to it. the tour has 3 parts and takes about an hour to complete!

We didn't go through the museum, although I have in the past and would recommend it. Today we just browsed thru the gift shop and bought some fabulous crystals. I recommend the full tour if you have time, it's quirky and interesting history and the exhibits are very authentic.

Visited on Waitangi open day. Free entry! Great piece of history. Lots of interesting exhibits in great condition. Well worth a visit. Most of the guides were friendly and helpful. The museum souvenir shop is a gem. Good quality and good value. Found a nicely crafted haematite ring. If we are passing, will stop in again.

Fascinating history of mining in Thames and the town itself. Our guide was tremendously knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and fun. Great experience.