Paeroa is the largest settlement of the Paeroa Ward with a population of approx. 6,114 (Statistics New Zealand, 2018). Established in the 1870s, the town was originally a thriving port servicing a thriving 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.
Paeroa is ‘world famous in New Zealand’ for the fizzy drink Lemon and Paeroa (L&P) which was originally developed in Paeroa by combining lemon juice with carbonated mineral water from the Paeroa Springs. Tourists know Paeroa for its ‘big bottle’, which is a seven metre tall imitation bottle of the well-known drink, located in the Ōhinemuri Reserve across the intersection from McDonald’s restaurant. Be sure to grab a selfie next time you are in town!
Paeroa is ‘the little town that could’, determined not to fall into decline, as so many small towns do, when faced with an increasingly mobile population. Paeroa has worked hard to promote the town as a great place to live in, work in and visit.
Visit the Destination Coromandel website for more information on the little town that’s world famous in NZ.
View Map of Paeroa - Google Maps - Paeroa
Things to do and see...
Paeroa offers several fine cafes, museums, plenty of antique shops to explore and the nearby Karangahake Gorge, popular for its gold mining history, walkways, fishing, rock climbing, swimming and the Hauraki Rail Trail.
Visit the Destination Coromandel website to find out more about what you can do here in Hauraki (the southern Coromandel) and the rest of the Peninsula.
Tracks, Walks & Cycle Trails | Parks & Reserves | Swimming Pools