A million dollar project to connect Paeroa to the popular Hauraki Rail Trail is now in its first stages, after receiving $730,000 in Provincial Growth Funding.
The Paeroa Historical Maritime Park’s development will include a community jetty, floating wharf and a new riverboat to ferry people and their bikes between the museum and the centre of town.
It will also connect the park with the popular Hauraki Rail Trail, making it the only Great Ride in the country that offers alternative transport by bike, train, van and now river.
Park operator Gloria James is excited about the development and the new ways to explore the region.
“There’s so many opportunities. There could be anything happening on the river,” she said.
People are already excited about the addition of the boat trip to their cycling journey, James says, “it will encourage visitors to stay longer and explore our region in a deeper and more meaningful way.”
Hauraki Rail Trail Charitable Trust chief executive Diane Drummond said one of the core tenements of setting up the trail was to give businesses along its route an opportunity to develop product in tourism, hospitality and services.
“This is a great example of a group of dedicated people who are teaming up with iwi partners to create something special as a direct result of the Rail Trail being so close. We are seeing this in other areas along the trail as well,” Drummond said.
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