Paeroa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Paeroa featuring a cascade
Paeroa featuring a cascade and a river or creek
Hauraki Rail Trail - Day Rides showing a river or creek
Hauraki Rail Trail - Day Rides showing wild flowers
Hauraki Rail Trail - Day Rides which includes heritage elements
Cycle an overland trail, hike through a rugged gorge, shop for antiques or see, and taste, a real Kiwi icon in this small town in the Waikato region.

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 kilometers) 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 honor the place where it was first made. Generations of Kiwi kids have scrambled to have their picture taken beside this quirky landmark.

Pedlars Motel
Pedlars Motel
3.5 out of 5
2a Arney St, Paeroa
The price is ฿2,606 per night from 30 Mar to 31 Mar
฿2,606
฿2,997 total
includes taxes & fees
30 Mar - 31 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly motel in Paeroa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (367 reviews)
Great place to stay
"We were very impressed with the room, facilities and comfort of the bed. The staff were helpful, pleasant and informative."

Reviewed on 18 Feb 2025

Pedlars Motel
Tasman Holiday Parks – Waihi Beach
Tasman Holiday Parks – Waihi Beach
4.5 out of 5
15 Beach Road, Waihi Beach
The price is ฿3,117 per night from 19 Mar to 20 Mar
฿3,117
฿3,585 total
includes taxes & fees
19 Mar - 20 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star beach holiday park in Waihi Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Waihi Beach and Orokawa Bay ...
9/10 Wonderful! (143 reviews)
"We enjoyed our long weekend with grandma and our toddler. Suitable for all ages."

Reviewed on 10 Mar 2025

Tasman Holiday Parks – Waihi Beach
Tasman Holiday Parks – Beachaven
Tasman Holiday Parks – Beachaven
3.5 out of 5
21 Leo Street, Waihi Beach
The price is ฿2,073 per night from 24 Mar to 25 Mar
฿2,073
฿2,384 total
includes taxes & fees
24 Mar - 25 Mar
Stay at this 3.5-star eco-certified holiday park in Waihi Beach. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (164 reviews)
"Great campground, clean and friendly staff"

Reviewed on 13 Mar 2025

Tasman Holiday Parks – Beachaven
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Grafton Cottage & Chalets
Grafton Cottage & Chalets
4 out of 5
304 Grafton Road, Thames
Stay at this 4-star cottage in Thames. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (378 reviews)
"Very friendly and helpful manager"

Reviewed on 14 Mar 2025

Grafton Cottage & Chalets
Sunset Motel
Sunset Motel
3 out of 5
1017 Tararu Rd, Thames, Waikato
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Thames. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Burke Street Wharf and Goldmine Experience ...
9/10 Wonderful! (132 reviews)
"Lovely and clean and restful"

Reviewed on 16 Mar 2025

Sunset Motel
Avalon Motel Thames – Wenzel Motels
Avalon Motel Thames – Wenzel Motels
3 out of 5
104 Jellicoe Crescent, Thames
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Thames. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Hauraki Rail Trail Thames and Goldfields Shopping ...
9/10 Wonderful! (152 reviews)
"The ladies at this motel went beyond in order that I had accommodation in my next saga I was travelling alone with not very much knowledge of this area of New Zealand Room was extremely clean and well appointed. Thank you from Cheryl from Canada"

Reviewed on 2 Mar 2025

Avalon Motel Thames – Wenzel Motels
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Paeroa

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
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5 - Excellent 33%
4 - Good
2
4 - Good 67%
3 - Okay
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2 - Disappointing
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4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Good base for cycling Hauraki Rail Trail. Very helpful information centre.