Paeroa (from a Maori word meaning “long ridge”) has a population of approx. 6,114. Established in the 1870s, the town was originally a thriving port servicing a flourishing gold mining community. Paeroa is conveniently within an hour and a half’s drive of three of New Zealand’s largest cities; Hamilton, Auckland and Tauranga.
Enjoy a walk to the Paeroa First World War memorial on Primrose Hill (Tui Kai Rangi) which was unveiled on 20 February 1930. Its design followed that of Edwin Lutyen's Whitehall cenotaph. On one side were affixed the dates 1914-1918, a bronze wreath, and the words THEIR NAME / LIVETH / FOR EVERMORE. It's a special place and offers expansive views across Paeroa.
Photo: Paeroa First World War memorial on Primrose Hill
Located centrally on the Hauraki Rail Trail, you’ll find bike hire, shuttle services, great accommodation and eateries all on the doorstep. Three sections of the Trail depart from Paeroa making it the perfect place for a stopover, or daily adventures in multiple directions.
Photo: Take a stroll through Paeroa at dusk
The regional hub located on the edge of the Hauraki Plains and the entrance to the Karangahake Gorge is popular for its heritage, gold mining history, walkways, fishing, rock climbing, swimming and as a welcoming trail town on the Rail Trail.
Paeroa is also the self-proclaimed "Antiques Capital of New Zealand" and home to the therapeutic spring water, and what we know today as the drink Lemon & Paeroa (or L&P) “World Famous in New Zealand.”
Photo: Second Thoughts Collectables, at Granville's, 20 Belmont Road, Paeroa
Whether you’re a collector or just enjoy fossicking for something a little different, Paeroa is a treasure hunters dream. There is something for everyone, from new and used books, to furniture, glass, retro, tools and clothing. The antiques store strip runs the full length of Normanby Road, so lock in a few hours to explore.
Second Thoughts Collectables is owned and operated by Peter Termaat. The quirky store overflows with vintage, retro and antique collectables. Hidden treasures include records, housewares, crown lynn, china and more.
Photo: Fee & Mands on Willoughby Street, Paeroa
Fiona and Murray Pennell are the owners of Pedlars Motel, which is situated right beside the Rail Trail in Paeroa. From the very outset, they considered the Trail to be a great asset to the community and wanted to support it.
Having done their homework on the Hauraki Rail Trail, they decided to build a Motel which would incorporate Rail Trail users and also offer a lock up bike shed facility.
Designed for the modern lifestyle or corporate traveller, details were planned meticulously in this architecturally designed complex. If you're looking to stay in Paeroa, you can read more about the superior accommodation and the facilities here.
More recently, Fiona has opened Fee & Mands, a furniture, homewares and decor shop, which has been a dream for many years for her and friend Mandy Souchon.
Mandy and Fiona both have a strong interest in design, and when the opportunity arose to make their dream become a reality, they jumped at the chance.
The dynamic duo are enjoying offering an upmarket shopping experience to locals and visitors alike, so make sure a visit is on your list.
You can read more about Pedlars Motel and Fee & Mands here.
Photo: Fiona and Mandy at Fee & Mands
Paeroa library is within easy access of the Hauraki Rail Trail, in the hub of Paeroa, and is a great place for visitors to access free wi-fi, use a computer, rest up for break, or read the latest newspapers.
It's warm in the winter, cool in summer, and just across from the beautiful Paeroa Domain and a nearby laundromat with coin operated showers.
The library is at 5 MacKay Street, Paeroa. It's open from 9.30am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 12.30pm Saturday, and closed Sunday. You can find more information here.
Photo: Paeroa Library
Photo credit: Jodi Sweetman - Bullswool Heritage Farm
Paeroa might be at the hub of the Hauraki Rail Trail, but just to the side is a wonderful farm park worthy of time off the bike. Bullswool Heritage Farm is not directly accessible from the Hauraki Rail Trail, but it’s a short drive from Paeroa towards the Karangahake Gorge. Home to three generations of the Austen family, the farm has a diverse and interesting array of rare breed farm animals, several working farm museums, outdoor displays, and an award-winning Native Bird Reserve. The Park has been named as one of the AA’s 101 Must Do’s for Kiwis, voted one of The Coromandel’s best visitor attractions, and is a Pride of New Zealand Award winner for its conservation work. You can read more about the Farm here.
Photo: Paeroa Information Hub and Hauraki Bike Hire HQ
For 100 years Paeroa received and dispatched Mail. By 1900, the Paeroa Post Office had 30 private boxes, a public lobby, an operating room, mail room and Post Master's office with a six room residence behind.
It was a great occasion, when in May 1926, Prime Minister J.G. Coats opened the magnificent red brick building on Normanby Road. The building cost a whopping £11,829. Today this Heritage listed building is known as ‘The Hub,’ and the home of the local Information Centre.
The Hub’s seen a lot of changes since the Hauraki Rail Trail came to town in 2012. Its central location has seen the services grow from information services, to servicing the cycle community, and soon evolved to include bike hire, and shuttle services.
When demand for bike hire and shuttle services grew, Hauraki Bike Hire outgrew ‘The Hub’ and the bike hire moved into Wharf Street, just 50 metres from the Trail, teaming up with Valley Tours & Transfers to provide a full service to riders. The Hub remains the ideal place to support your Rail Trail adventure, providing maps and booking services, along with a range of local arts and crafts.
One gem in town is the Refinery Café on Willoughby Street. Promising good coffee, food and smiles, it is firmly set in the gold-mining history of the area, with the building originally commissioned as the National Bank Gold Refinery in 1914.
Check out their events schedule, as often a lazy afternoon can be whiled away here listening to great music from local artists.
Photo credit: Maritime Park Paeroa
Take some time to explore the stunning and picturesque Historical Maritime Park. The Park is adjacent to the Waihou River, where cruises, events and weddings are hosted.
Visitors to the Park can explore the Museum and take a scenic cruise to Paeroa. It’s a fantastic outing for families, senior citizens, schools and tour groups and is a great spot for cyclists to detour for a picnic and enjoy the grounds, so be sure to put this Must Do destination on your list.
Photo: Providence Pantry - Your pantry away from home, brought to you by sisters, Chanli and Rensha.
Providence Pantry is a European style Deli on the main road of Paeroa. It’s a unique concept of fresh foods ready to take away and eat, versus a sit down café. Chef and owner Rensha Bouwer’s passion for fabulous foods, fresh, organic and raw ingredients, infuse the flavours that come from her kitchen, offering nutritious and delicious foods, sweet treats and magnificent handcrafted pies.
Rensha trained as a fine dining chef and stocks a range of outstanding imported European products, New Zealand artisanal food products, along with cheese from France and our local makers. You can discover more about the Deli here.
Photo credit: The Coromandel | www.thecoromandel.com
We’ll let you into a little secret. A track under the Criterion Bridge at the eastern end of town, will take you and your bike safely to the giant Lemon & Paeroa Bottle without the need to cross the busy highway.
The giant bottle stands 7 metres high and is 1.3 metres in diameter and is a favourite photo stop for many travellers.
And for sweeping views of the township, surrounding areas and across the Hauraki Plains, head up Primrose Hill (Tui Kai Rangi). The highest point in Paeroa, a replica of the London Cenotaph stands and serves as a War Memorial for the district.
Photo credit: Courtyard Café & Delicatessen
This is a great little Café, and spacious and accessible to the Hauraki Rail Trail right in the middle of Paeroa. You'll find it's cool in summer and warm in winter.
If you are looking for good homemade nourishing food, good coffee, a selection of cold drinks and great customer service head on in. There's a bike rack outside the front door, and a quiet spacious enclosed courtyard at the rear offering a cosy, relaxed atmosphere.
The food is fresh and flavoursome, and caters for vegans through to gluten free. You'll find plenty of healthy options and of course delectable sweet treats too.
From all day breakfast, cabinet food to a blackboard menu and specials of the day, the Courtyard Café offers a menu to suit all tastes.
Open Monday to Friday 7.30am to 2.30pm, Saturday 8am to 2pm – Closed on Sundays.
Photo credit: Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo
The 30th Anniversary Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo was held in February 2024 at the Paeroa Domain. What started out as a small Pipe Bands Competition has grown over the years, and today is a fully fledged Highland Games, one of only seven such Scottish gatherings in New Zealand.
This celebration of Scottish culture attracts interest throughout New Zealand as well as internationally. Attendance numbers have grown over the years, and it’s now a major undertaking by a small team of passionate volunteers, who believe in putting something back into the community in which they live.
Watch a short film about the township here:
Paeroa Information Hub
6 Wharf Street, Paeroa, New Zealand
Ph: 07 862 8636
Email: pae.info@xtra.co.nz
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