EXPLORE THE BAY OF PLENTY REGION, NEW ZEALAND
The Bay of Plenty region is home to beautiful beaches, world famous kiwifruit and New Zealand’s only active marine volcano. Named by the explorer Captain James Cook for a region that appeared plentiful you will also find local wines, fresh seafood and hectares of orchards. You will eat well here!
MCLAREN FALLS PARK (KAIMAI RANGES)
Mclaren Falls Park, in the Western Bay of Plenty, is such an idyllic spot to relax and soak up some sunshine! Just a ten minute drive from Tauranga this is a great place to explore, spend a day or camp a few nights. There is plenty to do here from trout fishing, kayaking, disc golf, bush walks or swimming. In the summertime there are often concerts and this is also a popular location for weddings. Camping is on a first come basis and bookings are not necessary but are encouraged. With a maximum 3 night stay ($10 for an adult, $5 for a child and under 5s are free) this is the perfect weekend get away. If you have a large group you might consider booking the 16 bed hostel that comes with the convenience of a kitchen and bathroom facilities. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted due to the large number of sheep that roam the park but you can bring your horse. The park is home to one of the best botanical collections of trees in New Zealand and if you happen to visit in autumn you will be treated to the spectacular colours of changing leaves. You can enjoy a walk along the waterfall track any time of day but after the sun has gone down you will be delighted by the glow worms that line the banks. Short on time? Then just stop briefly to enjoy a few minutes at the falls or for refreshments at The Falls Cafe, it is absolutely worth it!
THE DAILY CAFE (TE PUKE)
The Daily Cafe in Te Puke is a place truly inspired by it’s community. It runs as a charitable trust which means all profit goes back to the community in so many amazing ways! Not only does it offer incredible organic fair trade coffee but you can purchase an extra one and pay it forward. And if you know someone in the area in real need of a good coffee you can take one of the pay it forward vouchers and pass it on. Such a great idea! The food is tasty, fresh and well priced with a range of salads, freshly made juices and even a good kiwi pie on offer. The menu is simple but ever changing with whatever locally sourced produce is available. The cafe is always looking for support in the way of money and time. You can make a donation or volunteer in projects around the town. This includes feeding the community with free pizza nights to getting volunteers to help with a variety of community projects. At the cafe there is an outdoor area, spacious indoor area and a meeting room for businesses to hire, which they offer for free to other non-profit organisations. The Daily Cafe is all about serving its community in any way it can with a strong focus on breaking the poverty cycle and making their town even better than it is now. So instead of taking the toll road to get between Papamoa and Paengaroa take the free route through New Zealand’s Kiwi Fruit Capital and stop at The Daily Cafe.
THORNTON BEACH (WHAKATĀNE)
The Bay of Plenty is full of great beaches and this one is quite the haven! It is so idyllic here you feel like you’re miles away from the hustle and bustle but in reality you are just a few minutes from great country cafes. And Whakatāne is only fifteen minutes away for shopping and restaurant dinning. The perfect weekend getaway for two or a week long summer break for the whole family are both great options. With the Thornton Beach Holiday Park right there you have a variety of accommodation to choose from with tent sites to holiday units. The beach is special in that it includes the river mouth for the Rangitaiki. Boats can be launched from the boat ramp and venture out to sea for some great fishing or a keen land based fisherman/fisherwoman can surf cast straight off the beach. There are swimming options for all ages with the calm waters inside the river mouth and then the surf beach that streches for miles north. If you get up early in the morning you will be treated to the most gorgeous sunrises and in the evenings a stroll along to beach is a perfect way to end the day. You will enjoy the views of nearby Moutohora (Whale Island) and our only island volcano, Whakaari (White Island). If you are looking for a great place to spend a few beach days in the Bay of Plenty then this is definitely a place to consider.
ONEKAWA TE MAWHAI REGIONAL PARK (ŌPŌTIKI)
If you are in the Eastern Bay of Plenty then you should definitely check out Onekawa Te Mawhai Regional Park and its breath taking views! Pack a picnic or head up the hill for a sunrise or sunset and you won’t be disappointed. This is a location of cultural significance to local Māori and an area where many battles took place. At the top of the park you can easily identify the two pā sites (Onekawa and Te Mawhai) by the contours of the land. There are a few options for getting to the top. You can start at Bryan’s Beach for a short steep walk up to Te Mawhai Pā for amazing views down the East Coast. Alternatively, you can start on the Ohiwa side of the hill which will take you through goregous bush and up to Onekawa Pā. Here you will be treated to incredible views across Ohiwa Harbour and further north up the Bay of Plenty coastline. This is also a great holiday location with the Ohiwa Beach Holiday Park right at the bottom of the hill. A popular fishing spot, you have the best of both worlds with easy access to both the harbour and the ocean. It is also worth noting that there are glow worms to be seen at night if you take the loop track from the Ohiwa side of the hill. A great little adveture for the young ones. You will find the park is just 25 minutes from Ōhope or less than 15 minutes from Ōpōtiki.
LIVING WATER BUSH CAFE (WAIOEKA GORGE)
What a treat finding this little coffee stop in the Waioeka Gorge! Living Water Bush Cafe is tucked away in its own little piece of paradise. Hosts Brenda and Henare run a cute little coffee caravan as well as accommodation for up to ten people. The coffee on offer is organic and you will also find a delicious home made slice or cake to go with your hot beverage. Then youu can sit down and enjoy it right on the banks for the Opata Stream which is absolutely picturesque. If you are lucky you might also find delicious nuts and honey available for purchase. You must absolutely stop here if you are driving through the Waioeka Gorge between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne. And with no internet reception it is the perfect place for a no interuptions, weekend getaway. Make this a ‘must stop’ if you are driving through the Waioeka Gorge any time.
REDWOODS FOREST (ROTORUA)
The Redwoods is not a place you want to miss if you are visiting Rotorua! These enchanting woods are part of the greater Whakarewarewa Forest and they attract locals and tourists from all over. Here you will find some of the best walking, horse trekking and mountain biking tracks around. It is also home to the Redwoods Treewalk which is a series of suspension bridges traversing up to 12 meters above the ground. With so much on offer you are best to start at the visitors center located by the main car park on Long Mile Road, only five minutes from the city center. There are so many different walks and trails to choose from you will be sure to find something for just about anyone, even the dog. These redwoods are not native to Aotearoa New Zealand, they come from California and are commonly known as the Californian Redwood. But they seem to like it here and have thrived in the conditions provided by this location. The largest Redwood you might find is approximately 72 meters tall and 169 centimeters in diameter. That is a pretty big tree! However, in California they are known to grow as tall as 110 meters and have an average lifespan of 600 years.
PIKOWAI CAMPING GROUND (MATATA)
Pikowai Camping Ground is a great summer spot for the whole family. Or the cooler months if you are after some peace and quiet. This beach front camp site is located on the Matata straight about 15 minutes drive north of Whakatāne in the Bay of Plenty. You have to get here early though if you want a good camp site or a camp site at all. During the busy season this place fills up fast! The campsite is equipped with toilets and coined operated showers. Fresh water is also available but there is a limited supply so it is a good idea to bring some yourself just in case. You also want to make sure you bring the fishing rod. Kahawai and snapper are the popular fish to be caught off shore here. Spending the night will not break the bank at only $16 for a site which include two adults and two kids. Extras are only $6 and kids under 5 are free. The only catch is that occasionally the trains pass by including in the middle if the night. So just a warning, don’t set up camp right by the fence closest to the train track.
MŌTĪTĪ ISLAND
Out there in the distance is Mōtītī Island. Less than 10kms off shore from Papamoa it is quick to get to by boat or plane. A small number of people live on the island which is completely off the grid. Here you will find a rich Māori history including pa sites, food pits and Te Karioi Marae. Diving, snorkelling and fishing is extremely popular with crayfish and scallops available at the right time of the year and if you know where to look. In 2011 the islands environment was devastated when the ship Rena grounded the Astrolabe reef close by spilling tonnes of oil. The ship still lays there today despite the locals appealing to have it removed. If you want to visit this island you might want to check out Mōtītī Island Lodge for accommodation and options for getting there. Just keep in mind it is a little place with limited resources but a perfect piece of paradise.
MAUAO SUMMIT (MOUNT MAUNGANUI)
Mount Maunganui is one of New Zealand’s busiest summer locations. But it is a great place to visit all year round! You can’t stop here and not take a walk up or around Mauao, the mountain that marks the entrance to the Tauranga Harbour. And after you can relax by soaking in the hot pools located at the bottom of Mauao next to the camp ground.
HISTORIC TAURANGA BRIDGE(WAIOEKA GORGE)
Just a 20 minute drive from Ōpōtiki, on the way to Gisborne, is the Historic Tauranga Bridge. This is the only surviving harp suspension bridge left in New Zealand. It is also the second of seven rest area stops that make up the Waioeka Journey – Te Awa a Tamatea. Each stop has information panels on site telling of history, culture, geology and ecology of the gorge. There is a lot of history here and this bridge serves as a reminder of the attempt colonisers made to farm this land. However, it was too difficult and farming was abandoned. By the 1970s it was all Crown owned and today forms the Waioeka Scenic Reserve. The bridge was near collapse by the early 1990s but significant work saw it restored a few years later. Also at this location is the Tauranga Loop Track which is an easy two hour walk along both sides of the Tauranga Stream. If you do walk the track be prepared to get wet feet as you will need to cross the river twice.
MOTU BIKE TRAILS (ŌPŌTIKI)
The Motu Trails are a collection of trails popular with cyclists, located between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne. It is one of the 22 Great Rides of Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail. From Ōpōtiki you can enjoy the 10km Dunes Trail, an easy grade and fun for the whole family. If you are after a bit more of a challenge you can continue from here on to the Motu Road Trail and return on the Pakihi Track for a complete loop. Further inland at Matawai the trail connects with the Rere Falls Trail that takes you all the way to Gisborne. If you are super keen for a cycling adventure you could cycle the whole 176kms between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne. For more information on the trails including accommodation along the way check out www.motutrails.co.nz
PAPAMOA HILLS REGIONAL PARK (PAPAMOA)
The Papamoa Hills Regional Park (Te Rae o Papamoa) in the Bay of Plenty is full of walking trails and amazing views! The shortest route to the top would take most people 30-45 minutes and is worth every step. However, you could spend a good few hours exploring the different paths around the park. These hills were first occupied by Māori as early as 1650AD. This is evident by the number of pā sites scattered around the area, noticeable as terraced hills. For nearly a century the hills were farmed but about 20 years ago the farm was sold to be developed into the Regional Park it is today. Getting up here for a sunrise or sunset is really something special. Read more here…
KAIMAI FRESH WATER SPRING (KAIMAI RANGES)
The freshest water right here… This spring is well known by locals and super easy to access if you can find it. Keep an eye out for it if you are driving over the Kaimai Ranges on State Highway 29 between Tauranga and Hamilton. If you do spot it you definitely want to fill up your water bottle. You won’t get water much fresher and more pure than this!
KUIRAU THERMAL PARK (ROTORUA)
Kuirau Park is the best place to see thermal activity for free! Located in the middle of Rotorua just below the hospital is where you will find hot pools and bubbling mud. Legend has it that a young woman named Kuirau was bathing in the waters when a taniwha (mythical creature) dragged her below the lake. Angered, the gods made the lake boil. From that time on, the bubbling lake and the steaming land around it have been known by the name of the lost woman, Kuirau.
WAIOTAHE BEACH (ŌPŌTIKI)
Waiotahe (aka Waiotahi) Beach can be found in the Eastern Bay of Plenty just north of Ōpōtiki. This is a popular spot in the summer for swimmers, surfers and anglers. You will find a variety of accommodation in the area from the Island View Holiday Park to Beach Houses for rent. Don’t let the cooler seasons deter you from visiting though. A sunrise on a quiet winter morning can be so majestical as you can see!
OOSH KAWAKAWA PRODUCTS (PAPAMOA)
This is Joleen and her two awesome kids at the Papamoa Lions Club Markets. Joleen is the founder of OOSH Kawakawa Products and makes amazing healing balms and lotions. If you haven’t heard about the kawakawa plant or it’s healing properties it is worth reading on. Kawakawa is native to Aotearoa New Zealand has been used by Māori for centuries in their practice of rongoā (medicinal healing). It is most commonly used in lotions or balms that are great for healing the skin and the leaves can also be used to make tea which is good for the digestive system. Joleen makes all her healing balms using natural products and following traditional Māori tikanga. She has only recently started attending the Papamoa Lions Club Markets which are on every 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. You can pick up some of her products there or check out her Facebook page to get in touch and order something. If you haven’t discovered how amazing kawakawa is then best you give it a try!
ARIAS FARM ACCOMMODATION (ROTORUA)
If you are looking for accommodation in Rotorua with a country feel on the edge of the city then Arias Farm is the place for you! From single to large group accommodation this bed and breakfast has something for everyone at very affordable prices. Situated right under Mount Ngongotaha, Arias Farm is actually a little farm with animals you can feed and pet. And with loads of room out side, play equipment for children and hot tubs it makes for a perfect stay for the whole family. If you are lucky, and the chickens have been busy laying, you may even get offered some eggs at no extra cost. Hosts Chris and Kerris are super friendly and only to happy to help make your stay enjoyable with loads of recommendations on what to do in the area. Arias Farm is centrally located with just over a five minute drive to the City Centre, Skyline Skyrides, Te Puia and Paradise Valley Springs. It is the perfect location to easily reach the best of what Rotorua has to offer.
OROPI HOTPOOLS AND CAFE (TAURANGA)
Wow if you have not discovered Oropi Hot Pools and Cafe near Tauranga then you must take the time to check it out! It is nestled in a traquil country setting that not only offers hot pools and a cafe but also camping, a beauty spa and outdoor areas with barbeques for gatherings of all shapes and sizes. The main hot pool is a comfortable temperature at about 34-35 degrees in the summer or 36-37 in the winter with the hot water coming from a 400 meter deep bore on-site. If you want your own little haven you can book a private spa in half hour slots. The cafe makes the best coffees and there is a great selection of sweet treats to go with it. Or you can enjoy a meal from their menu. The cafe is licensed so a refreshing cold beer or wine after a nice hot soak might be just what you feel like. And then there is the beauty spa that offers a range of theareputic treats! You will just have to check them out yourself to see. Oropi Hot Pools and Cafe is open 10am to 10pm Tuesday to Sunday so the next time you are wondering what to do with your morning, afternoon or evening, while in the Tauranga area, then this is what you should do.
NEWDICKS BEACH (MAKETU)
Newdicks Beach is one of those special places that only locals really know about. A gorgeous stretch of white sand, just over the hill from Maketu, it is a real hidden treasure! At the end of Town Point Road is a dirt gravel track that leads you down to the beach. This track is privately owned so a small fee is charged for vehicles to help cover the costs of maintaining it. Or you can park on the road and walk down for free. The gates are closed over night so keep in mind the summer hours are 6am-6.30pm and the winter hours are 9am-5pm. This is the sort of place you want to pack a picnic, your togs and a sun umbrella to spend the day. Or if you are into fishing or surfing this is a great spot to give either a go. You can drive a 4wd vehicle along the beach and park up where you choose. Just be mindful of the tides. There is a tin shed long drop toilet without a door but if you have to go you have to go! If you enter the water take care and watch out for submerged rocks, some are rather large. For a hidden treasure this place can get busy on a warm sunny day, especially in the weekends but don’t let that put you off. There is plenty of beach for everyone!
LEVERET ESTATE WINERY (KATIKATI)
Leveret Estate Winery is a great little find about 20 minutes north of Tauranga just before Katikati. Not where you might expect to find a cellar door with such a great selection of wine. Established in 1978, this Estate prides itself on crafting the finest wines with grapes from its vineyards in the Hawkes Bay and Marlborough. They have fourteen distinct brands in their portfolio so you are sure to find something to suit your taste buds and price range. Some of the brands you may be familiar with and include Riverview, Falconhead, Nikau Point, Cathedral Cove and Mill Road. If you like a nice drop and happen to be passing by Leveret Estate Winery then make sure you stop in. 
