Paeroa

PAEROA ACTIVITIES AND TRAVEL | Paeroa Information

Paeroa is a town in the North Island of New Zealand, in the northern Waikato region of the Thames Valley. It is located at the bottom of the Coromandel Peninsula and is 20 kilometres from the coast at the Firth of Thames.

Paeroa is known for its mineral springs, which provide the water used in a local and famous New Zealand soft drink, Lemon & Paeroa. Paeroa offers several fine Cafes and some fascinating local attractions such as: Karangahake Gorge & Historic Windows Walkway, The Giant Paeroa Bottle, Paeroa Racecourse, District Museum, Paeroa Historical Maritime Park, Heritage Trail/Captain Cook Memorial, Primrose Hill, Paeroa Domain and the Paeroa Society of Arts Art Centre.

Paeroa is the events capital of the Coromandel, as well as having a national reputation for horseracing; February is a busy month in Paeroa with the motorcycle races 'Battle of the Streets' and 'Pipe Band Tattoo'. The events usually both attract participants and crowds from all over New Zealand and overseas.

Paeroa History

Captain Cook, in November, 1769, sailed up the Waihou River to Netherton, 7kms north of Paeroa. In 1820 Rev Samual Marsden used the route, staying at the Raupo pa and conducting the first Christian service in the district. Bishop Selwyn travelled the same route in 1843 and Sir George Grey, was another notable to traveller along this well-worn track in 1849-50. The first white settler to arrive in the district was Joshua Thorp, in 1842. He, with his family, came from Colville seeking fertile farming land. He purchased an area from the Ngati Tamatera Paramount Chief, Tararia, and established his home close to where the Historic Maritime Park is today, 3kms north of Paeroa.

Main Towns in the Coromandel Region

Other Towns in the Coromandel Region