7 minute read
Paeroa information
Hauraki Rail Trail brings you right into the heart of Paeroa, a town that’s reinvented itself multiple times but remains a rural New Zealand town with heart.
Paeroa is at the junction of the trail to Te Aroha and Matamata, as well as through to the popular Karangahake Gorge and Waikino to Waihi section, making it an ideal place to spend some time shopping, eating, and getting organised for the next part of your ride. You’ll want to get the obligatory selfie at the giant L&P bottle at the south end of town – and don’t make the mistake of some past visitors who took their selfies at the wrong bottle (the smaller version outside L&P Café). But there’s much more to see and do. A visit to the Historical Maritime Park and Museum - which has campervan parking too – is right on the trail. The Waihou River is abundant with wildlife, with fishers catching trout by licence, lots of inanga, the odd seal in the summer who gorge on this, and even a very rare dolphin in the lower reaches. Across the road from the rail trail, you can cool off at the Paeroa pool sright beside Pedlar’s Motel. It’s a great place to take a dip after a hot day on the trail. The new wharf on Wharf St is being built which will allow people to travel by boat right into the middle of town, allowing people to ride the trail, have a swim, jump on the boat to take a river cruise to the maritime park and museum. Despite a tough 2021 and 2020, events are being organised for the town, and the site Positive Paeroa is a great option for keeping up to date with what’s on. Among the biggest by far is the Paeroa Highland Games and Tattoo, traditionally held in February, and which brings together the clans from around the country but is also a must-do for anyone with a hankering for all things Highland. It started out as a small Pipe Bands Competition and is now a fully-fledged Highland Games, with an evening tattoo and a day full of Scottish dancing and games. You will find multiple choices for accommodation in around Paeroa – a good bet is to see our advertisers on these pages as they are set up for cyclists of the Hauraki Rail Trail and are used to helping riders with arranging transportation, food and giving the local knowledge that can make all the difference. Pedlar’s Motel is right beside the trail, you
just need to cross the road to reach it, and is a well-appointed and modern refurbished motel with plenty of parking. The Refinery Food and Lodgings on Willoughby Street offers character-filled boutique-style accommodation and has the café right out front. It’s part of the Paeroa Heritage Trail, since it was once a gold refinery. It operated from 1915 and was used by the Bank of New Zealand to refine bullion bought from Waihi Grand Junction and the Talisman Mine at Karangahake and other smaller mines.
THE REFINERY
CAFÉ, BAR & ACCOMMODATION GUARD’S COTTAGE & MINER’S CABIN PRIVATE, SELF-CONTAINED LODGING IN THE HEART OF PAEROA
FOOD & LODGING
5 WILLOUGHBY ST - PAEROA - NZ - 07 862 7678 - WWW.THE-REFINERY.COM
Paeroa HISTORY of the Bottle
Photo / HC Post-Waihi Leader
Paeroa retiree Cliff Pett is among the town’s movers and shakers – in fact he was the man who built the world-famousin-New Zealand L&P bottle in town. As Cliff told it to the Waihi Leader newspaper, in 1968 or early 1969 a group of Paeroa businessmen, including Colin Mudford and Trevor Watt, were holding a meeting at Colin Mudford’s house to throw around ideas of how to better promote the town. “It was a hot day and they’d been drinking L&P. Trevor saw the bottle on the table and they decided perhaps they could build a large bottle to promote the town. Alan Bott arrived and they asked his thoughts, and he thought it was great. The men approached the borough council and mayor Graeme Lee. All the councillors and mayor thought it was a great idea. Innes Tartan [ then the owners of the Paeroa mineral water spring] were approached and agreed to this. The contract was let to Lee Bros Builders and Ernie Lee was to supervise the works. As I was a foreman at Lee Bros I was given the task to build the bottle.” It was late in 1969. Pett says he and others who worked on the bottle thought it would probably be a temporary attraction. “We didn’t know how it was going to last - and here it is 51 years later.” Pett grew up drinking the mineral water from the main street of town, where it was pumped from its source in a paddock on the outskirts of town by a former sewage station. Pett thinks that access to the mineral water in town could be explored as a tourist drawcard.
“I remember the ex mayor Graeme Lee knew when they stopped making [L&P] with the mineral water, he knew the difference.” As for the taste of the “Paeroa” in Lemon and Paeroa? “It was vile,” Pett says.
The Early Ford Store Since 1974
REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLE TRADERS
Pickers room, filled with classic American & NZ memorabilia, Laser cut designs and Flag Designs, Crown Lynn, Dureware & memories,
Specialising in Classic Tin Always more in store! Specialists in Diecast toys, M2, Johnny Lightning, Greenlight & more
Now at: Ajay’s FordV8 Parts 5 Fraser Street, Paeroa New Zealand
Ph 07 212 8742
info@fordv8parts.com www.fordv8parts.com
Neon Effect Clocks & Sign of all sizes
Supplying Quality Parts to Early Ford & Hot Rod Enthusiasts
Like our facebook page for regular specials, events and updates
Restaurant • Cafe • Bar
WELCOME TO ONE 3 ONE BAR KITCHEN CAFE
In the site of the old Fathers Tavern One 3 One Bar Kitchen Cafe offers style, comfort and a classic menu and wine list with service that is second to none in Paeroa. If your looking for somewhere to go for a casual drink or meal then this is the place for you. With its amazing copper bar and stylish interior it is a great place to spend time. We offer a great range on tap, a wine list to suit all tastes and a menu with a wide selection of amazing food. We also have a modern stylish gaming room.
So if you are stopping in Paeroa there is no place better to go than One 3 One Bar Kitchen Cafe. Happy Hour Mon-Fri 4-7pm and "accepts gold card"
We are open from 10am 7 days a week. P: 07 862 7273 131 Normanby Road, Paeroa • E: reservationsone3one@gmail.com • W: www.one3one.co.nz
Take full advantage of the first class services and facilities from Pedlars Motel Paeroa. We take great pride and care in making sure every need of our guests is catered for with: Secure lock up facility for bikes • Free onsite parking • Unlimited and high speed Wifi • Breakfasts Available • Filtered cold water available • Town pool located right next door • Sky+ Guest select • Guest laundry • Walking distance of Paeroa’s Restaurants, Cafes and Bars Reservations Freephone 0800 579 645
T: 07 862 8788 • E: stay@pedlarsmotel.nz • www.pedlarsmotel.nz • 2A Arney St, Paeroa
One 3 One
One 3 One is a kitchen, bar and café on the site of the historic Father’s Tavern at 131 Normanby Rd, and is basically next door to Pedlar’s Motel in Paeroa. Although the original Father’s Tavern is gone, the bar and doors at One 3 One feature original rimu timbers from the old pub and give the place a rustic touch. It was renovated to create quiet dining areas by the fire in winter, a bar with sports channels at the front and events when these are possible. A wall of historic photos show Paeroa’s early years as a thriving transport and
5TOP REASONS TO VISIT PAEROA
1. Mooch the antique and second hand shops for funky finds and one-off pieces. 2. Head to the new Twilight Markets at the Paeroa Racecourse every second
Friday and support the growing local producers and crafters selling quality wares. Check Positive Paeroa website for details.
3. Visit the Paeroa Historical Maritime
Park & Museum for some historical nautical know-how .
distribution centre and is well worth viewing before you head off on the trail through the Karangahake Gorge if headed that way next.
