Paeroa

Travel Guide

Paeroa featuring a cascade
Paeroa featuring a river or creek and a waterfall
Hauraki Rail Trail - Day Rides showing a river or creek
Hauraki Rail Trail - Day Rides showing wildflowers
Hauraki Rail Trail - Day Rides featuring 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 P4,473 per night from Sep 19 to Sep 20
P4,473
P5,144 total
Sep 19 - Sep 20
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly motel in Paeroa. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (385 reviews)
"Great place to stay, very clean, friendly, helpful staff."

Reviewed on Jul 27, 2025

Pedlars Motel
Grafton Cottage & Chalets

Grafton Cottage & Chalets

4 out of 5
304 Grafton Road, Thames
The price is P4,831 per night from Aug 25 to Aug 26
P4,831
P5,556 total
Aug 25 - Aug 26
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star cottage in Thames. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (396 reviews)
"Stayed during the off season - Warmly welcomed by the proprietor. Adorable room in a quiet area with a wonderful view of the Firth of Thames on a very scenic property. Great sense of privacy and peace. Highly recommend, and will definitely stay again if we get to come back!"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Grafton Cottage & Chalets
Tasman Holiday Parks – Waihi Beach

Tasman Holiday Parks – Waihi Beach

4.5 out of 5
15 Beach Road, Waihi Beach
The price is P2,665 per night from Aug 22 to Aug 23
P2,665
P3,065 total
Aug 22 - Aug 23
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star beach holiday park in Waihi Beach. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Waihi Beach and Orokawa Bay ...
9/10 Wonderful! (161 reviews)
Winter beach Retreat
"Very happy with our self contained unit. Enjoyed the empty space around it but there are 4 possible camp sites beside it and this would be intrusive so you'd have to keep your curtains closed for privacy. Glad that the unit is positioned away from the body of the camping ground so you dont get any ..."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Tasman Holiday Parks – Waihi Beach
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 WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (396 reviews)
"Stayed during the off season - Warmly welcomed by the proprietor. Adorable room in a quiet area with a wonderful view of the Firth of Thames on a very scenic property. Great sense of privacy and peace. Highly recommend, and will definitely stay again if we get to come back!"

Reviewed on Aug 8, 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 WiFi, free parking, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Burke Street Wharf and Goldmine Experience ...
9/10 Wonderful! (140 reviews)
"It was quiet and clean. Thanks"

Reviewed on Aug 19, 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 WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Hauraki Rail Trail Thames and Thames Historical ...
9/10 Wonderful! (155 reviews)
Kitchen needs a clean
"Property itself it’s great but the utensils in the kitchen need a good clean. Cups and cutlery were dirty, we had to rewash everything before we could use it. Cooktop dirty too. The rest of the property was nice and clean. No complaints"

Reviewed on Jul 20, 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.

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