Explore Paeroa, a sleepy rural town in the Thames Valley, set in the lower regions of the Coromandel Peninsula. The effervescing waters of the Paeroa Spring are believed to have therapeutic qualities. The town’s claim to fame is a drink called Lemon & Paeroa (L&P), which was made with this mineral-rich water.
Find historic and quirky treasures in one of Paeroa’s many antiques and vintage shops full of collectables and secondhand items. Delve deeper into the town’s rich history by visiting Paeroa Historical Maritime Park. As New Zealand’s only inland port at the time, Paeroa played a big part in the gold rush before the railway was built. Browse the displays in the historic building and stroll through the grounds to the river's edge.
Visit the well-stocked Paeroa Information Centre, housed in a brick heritage building, to pick up brochures and maps for nature trails and adventure tours.
Rent a bicycle in town and head out to the Hauraki Rail Trail. The 50 miles (82 kilometres) of scenic trails lead you across suspension bridges and past historic landmarks. This relatively level track suits cyclists of all abilities. Take a small detour to visit the Victoria Battery Museum on the banks of the Ohinemuri River.
While here, you can’t miss the Karangahake Gorge. Once the site of a gold rush, the area is now popular for its riverside walks and the Owharoa Falls. Do the Windows Walk or bring a flashlight and do the Karangahake Tunnel Walk, which takes you through a disused rail tunnel at the end. See disused mine buildings and vintage machinery along the way.
Keep the kids happy with a visit to Bullswool Farm Park, where they can feed some of the rare breeds that call this working farm home.
Paeroa is just 1.5 hours from Auckland by car, which is where L&P is produced these days. Before you leave, taste this typical Kiwi soft drink next to the town’s giant Lemon & Paeroa Bottle to honour the place where it was first made. Generations of Kiwi kids have scrambled to have their picture taken beside this quirky landmark.
