Paeroa information

Paeroa HISTORY of the Bottle

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, 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. Cliff says he and others who worked on

Photo / HC Post-Waihi Leader.

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.” Cliff 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. Cliff 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,” Cliff says.

The Early Ford Store Since 1974 REGISTERED MOTOR VEHICLE TRADERS

Pickers room, filled with classic American & NZ memorabilia.

Granny’s Kitchen with Crown Lynn, Dureware & memories.

Registered motor vehicle traders 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

NZMCA Pop parking available by booking

Supplying Quality Parts to Early Ford & Hot Rod Enthusiasts

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Located In The Centre Of Paeroa’s Main Street

With a Sheltered Courtyard, Serving Allpress Coffee Delicious Sweets & Savouries, All Handmade On Site. If you are on the run try our fantastic breakfast menu and get treated to our fast, friendly service. Gluten Free & Refined Sugar Free Options Also Available

Variety of

ACCOMMODATION & EATING OPTIONS

Paeroa has a great variety of The Refinery serves “made from scratch, accommodation and eating options not whacky” baking and great coffee. It has and the town is gearing itself nicely to cyclists. a liquor licence, and hosts private functions from time to time. In summer it’s open Tuesday-Sunday. There are two unique From The Waikino Hotel in Karangahake and lodgings at The Falls Retreat to places to sleep here in Paeroa before a full day on the trail. lodgings, the guards cottage – with a retro and cosy vibe - and the miners cabin, which has a warm cabin feel with natural timbers, animal skins and antlers. The digs hark back to the days when it was gold refinery and Pedlars Motel Paeroa is geared for rail a guard was needed to guard the gold. The trailers with its easy location on Arney St, building was turned into a funky retro-vibe and secure lockup for bikes. There’s bike café by Michael Brown and Nicola Petry hire if you haven’t organised it already, who moved to Paeroa from the high street from the Paeroa Info Hub at the north end fashion houses of Auckland and haven’t of Normanby Rd and the Jolly Bikes hub looked back. in Paeroa, with Valley Tours and Transfers shuttling toand from Paeroa. Courtyard Café and Delicatessen located on the main street through Paeroa is The restaurant/café/bar One 3 One is another excellent choice for delicious open seven days and has a wall of historic savoury and sweet fare and Allpress photos showing Paeroa’s early years as a coffee. There’s plenty of seating in the thriving transport and distribution centre. covered courtyard at the rear and a lively Although the original Father’s Tavern indoor café area. The menu changes all the that was located here is gone, the bar time but the smoked fish pies are (in this and doors at one 3 one feature original writer’s opinion) the best you’ll eat, and rimu timbers from the old pub and give the curry kumara spinach and cashew pie the place a rustic touch to an otherwise is a big seller for good reason. spacious and modern interior.

Cycling adventures in Paeroa

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

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

SECTION C

Paeroa to Waihi

A stunning trail through the Karangahake Gorge including bridges, bush clad mountain views and an 1100 metre long train tunnel.

Waihou River

Historical Maritime Park

2

Tirohia Marae

26 26

Section B to Thames

Te Pai O Hauraki Paeroa

Waihi Gold Discovery Centre Goldmine Motel VictoriaBatteryMine Railway and Museum

25

Ohinemuri River Ngahutoitoi Marae Karangahake Winery Estate Waikino Railway Station Waihi 24km 2 Waikino Waikino HotelKarangahake Riverside Accommodation & Ultimate Waihi Railway Station To Waihi Beach

Mines The Crown 2 Owharoa Falls Victoria Battery Pukekauri Rd Waihi Beach Top 10 Beaches Motel Waihi Beach Hotel

Windows Walk The Falls Retreat Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park Old Tauranga Rd 2

Section D to Te Aroha

THE NEW ZEALAND CYCLE TRAIL DISTANCE: 24km

Paeroa to Karangahake: 8km Karangahake to Waikino: 7km Waikino to Waihi: 9km

Dogs on leads are permitted in the Karangahake Gorge section of the Rail Trail from Waikino Station to the old Karangahake Hall site at Crown Bridge at the northern end of Victoria Tunnel, and where the Rail Trail intersects the urban areas of Waihi, Paeroa, Te Aroha and Thames. DOGS ARE NOT PERMITTED on any other section of the Rail Trail.

100m 50m 0m Paeroa

0 24km

Kaiaua

A Thames

B

Paeroa

D

Te Aroha Waihi

C

E

Matamata Waihi Beach

Waihi

109 100m 50m 0m

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Formerly the Ohinemuri Winery, the Estate is located in the Karangahake Gorge on SH2 between Paeroa and Waihi, and within an hour and half of Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua.

The Winery and Restaurant are couched in a native bush and formal garden setting above the Ohinemuri River. A 160m track leads from the Hauraki Rail Trail to the Restaurant and Cellar Door, making the Estate a great place to stop and “Rest & Refresh” after a long drive or hard peddle! Although the name and ownership have changed, the Restaurant serves the same great food lovingly prepared by the same great chefs, and the same fantastic wine had-crafted by the same talented Winemaker (Horst). The new owner, Chantelle, is dedicated to preserving the same wine, food, service and ambience that regulars have come to know and love, while at the same time serving up her own country style fruit wines, ports and schnapps, hand-crafted in small batch vats on the property.

Cyclists are welcome to use the Estate car park and easy access to the trail, if they are coming in for lunch before or after their ride. Ph: 07 862 8874 | Mob: 022 108 5142 Email: chantelle@forbiddenfruitwine.co.nz Web: www.forbiddenfruitwine.co.nz