"Stop at Tirau ~ don't just drive through!" Tirau by allikat

Tirau Travel Guide: 34 reviews and 118 photos

Tirau is a small town, which you will come across if you make the drive from Auckland to Rotorua (or Rotorua to Auckland, for that matter!). Although it's only a small town, you will know it when you see it. As part of a successful town revitalisation initiative a few years ago, the town shops and cafes feature colourful corrugated iron motifs and signs, and a couple are actually shaped as animals from the corrugated iron (yeah, it sounds weird, but trust me, somehow it works!).

The shops themselves are worth a look. They are mainly designed for the tourist, but I think they have succeeded in neither ripping the tourist off, nor being tacky (I visit fairly regularly, and always end up coming home with something). Well done, Tirau!

Oh, the picture? Well, this is Tirau church, which I have put up to make Craic smile when she sees it, lol!!

Pros and Cons

Pros:Lots to see
Cons:crossing the street in busy traffic
In a nutshell:Tirau is proof that size isn't everything!!

Last visit to Tirau: Feb 2008
Intro Updated Mar 19, 2008
Add to Trip Planner (?)
Report Abuse

Reviews (8)

Christmas memories all year round! Shopping (3)

The Christmas Heirloom Company sells Christmas decorations all year round. They have the most incredible selection of... more travel advice

A Kiwi Castle?? Things to Do (2)

At the top of the hill that is Tiraus main street, a brown tourist info sign points the way to the Castle. A castle in... more travel advice

Cafes and gift shops galore! Favorites (2)

Tirau caters beautifully for the tourist without ripping the tourist off. There are plenty of cute boutiquey type gift... more travel advice

The Blue Spring and Te Waihou Walkway Off The Beaten Path (1)

Te Waihou River Walkway is a short drive from Tirau and well worth seeing. If you don't fancy much of a walk, park your... more travel advice

Travelogues (2)

1 - 2 of 2

Comments (13)

Reply
- Report abuse
balhannah Apr 22, 2009 at 10:57 PM

I liked this town. Don't remember seeing the Castle though, perhaps it wasn't there, or maybe we just missed it.
Reply
- Report abuse
iandsmith Jul 9, 2007 at 5:10 AM

Nice stuff, couple of enticing shots there. What sort of camera are you using?
Reply
- Report abuse
tissie Jul 27, 2006 at 10:09 AM

Hi, I love Tirau and spend ages mooching round the antique shops! Our friends Ann & Robbie own Status at the top of the hill. Greetings to NZ :-)
Reply
- Report abuse
nicolaitan Feb 8, 2006 at 1:06 PM

what a great page -thanks for sharing it. Enjoyed your travelogues too. N>
Reply
- Report abuse
Darby2 Jan 16, 2006 at 7:04 PM

Vewy interesting! We must do lunch at the Fine Swine Café... Did I ever tell you... we have an establishment here in Edmonton called Alley kat's Cafe and Brewery ...9929- 60 Ave. Tel: 780-436-8922
Reply
- Report abuse
sourbugger Oct 1, 2005 at 4:15 PM

missed this place when i visited nZ - ho, hum
Reply
- Report abuse
frankcanfly Sep 13, 2005 at 1:44 PM

Yeah, I saw that Castle... what a strange name!!
Reply
- Report abuse
kiwi Sep 9, 2005 at 5:28 AM

Hey that castle is pretty cool, did you only have one photo??? surely not??? hahahaha, wink wink, nudge nudge ;-)
Reply
- Report abuse
AKtravelers Aug 24, 2005 at 7:49 PM

We're thinking of going to NZ. How can we remember to stop here in 6 months?!
Reply
- Report abuse
ATXtraveler Aug 9, 2005 at 3:48 PM

How did I miss all this?? I knew we should have stopped. I guess we will have to go back!