Paeroa and Waihi Beach

It was a reasonably day’s travel when we departed Taupo to our next destination at Paero – 185km.  The CAP (charges apply parking) was at the edge of town  with a lovely rural outlook.  Our hosts made us very welcome, hooked us up to power for the night, and informed us that all fees collected get donated to their church. 

Sunset in Paero

The following morning we played “tree detectives” – you may remember that we had discovered that the young Lone Pine planted behind the  National Army Museum had originated from seeds collected in 2012 from the Turkish red pine growing at Paeroa Golf Course.  We were so close – of course we wanted to see this famous tree.   So we drove off to see if the staff at the golf club could help us in our quest.  They were so helpful and we were kindly escorted over the greens to see the tree. 

Anzac Pine at Paeroa Golf Course

“There’s some more info upstairs in the club room” we were told, so we trudged up the stairs to see a framed newspaper article about the famous tree.  How kind of the manager to go to all this trouble for us, we think he was pleased that the “famous in Paeroa tree” was getting the attention it deserves.

There was one more photo to take while we were in Paeroa, one of the famous “big bottle”.  Lemon and Paeroa drink is a New Zealand favourite, also known as L&P, is a sweet soft drink manufactured in New Zealand. Created in 1907, it was traditionally made by combining lemon juice with carbonated mineral water from the town of Paeroa, but is now owned and manufactured by multi-national Coca-Cola.  These days that the bottle is now located in the Ohinemuri Reserve to enable photographers to get their “snaps” without dodging traffic in the middle of the very busy State Highway 2.

L&P, world famous in New Zealand

Mission accomplished, we went back to hook up the van and get on the way to our next destination to Waihi Beach.  A much shorter trip, only a mere 37km and we arrived at the Waihi Beach NZMCA Park, where we were meeting up with Bill and Val for the upcoming ICA Rally.  Even though we arrived relatively early before lunch, the place was jam packed with vans and campers – luckily we managed to find a site each.  This park can cater for 60 vans we read, but that must be a real squeeze.  Once all the marked sites around the perimeter are taken, late comers then park up in the middle of the area.

Staying at Waihi Beach

It was such a lovely afternoon that we drove down to check out the beach.  People were in the water, sunbathing, and generally having fun in the sun.  The sky was a beautiful shade of blue, and the beach looked so inviting.

Waihi Beach

Fellow ICA members Pamela and David had arrived in camp, and the six of us enjoyed a meal out at the Gunners View Restaurant at the local RSA.  Using the courtesy van made it an easy night out with no one having to be the designated driver.  We all chose the roast beef and lamb with all the trimmings, such a lovely meal and very reasonably priced.  It was a great  finish to our overnight stay at Waihi Beach.