ROAD TRIP: A journey to Coastal Bay of Plenty

Tauranga to Whakatane via SH 2; this route has tolls. 1hr 14min, 92.4km

SIDE TRIP: Whakatāne to Whale Island via the ferry across to the island

Whakatāne to Ōpotiki via Wainui Rd & SH 2 39min, 44.3km

Maketū © Bay of Plenty Tourism

The quick zip east from Tauranga to Ōpotiki is beautifully scenic and mostly coastal with plenty of glimpses of sparkling ocean along the way.

You’ll pass through Te Puke – the nation’s kiwifruit capital – with plenty of charming places to eat. Or consider a detour to the tiny settlement of Maketū for a feed of fresh fish and chips or one of their famous pies.

The stretch between Pukehina and Matatā will see you flanked by rugged white-sand beaches and swathes of verdant countryside, before turning inland to the Eastern Bay of Plenty’s largest township of Whakatāne. This spot regularly records the highest number of sunshine hours in New Zealand, and is known for its pretty walk alongside the Whakatāne River.

Onwards to the small town of Ōpotiki, one of the first places settled by Māori and where you can immerse yourself in the history of the region.

HIGHLIGHTS

PAPAMOA BEACH

Even though it’s just 15 minutes drive from Mt Maunganui, Papamoa Beach has a very different feel. There are no crowds or traffic; it’s a quiet, laid back place where the loudest noise is surf crashing onto the golden beach.

Papamoa Beach © Bay of Plenty Tourism

TE PUKE

Known as the kiwifruit capital of the world,you can join tours of orchards growing green and gold varieties. Head to Comvita and discover the secrets of honey production. Another draw card of Te Puke is an all-terrain park for runners,walkers, mountain bikers,horse trekkers and novice motorcross riders.

ŌHOPE BEACH

Eastern Bay of Plenty’s wonderful Ōhope Beach is 11km of unspoilt beauty perfect for swimming and surfing. While there, explore Ōhiwa Harbour, separated from Ōhope by a giant sandspit,and watch for godwits. From Ōhope, climb over to the secluded Otarawairere Bay,a beautiful beach accessible by 15-minute walk or kayak.Trek to Puketapu Lookout for views of the coast.

Ōhope Beach © Bay of Plenty Tourism

ŌHIWA NATURE TRAIL, ŌHIWA BEACH

Just west of Ōpotiki is the charming beachside settlement of Ōhiwa with its own nature trail to a glowworm grotto and waterfall. The trail is paradise for ornithologists and the glowworms are just a 20-minute walk from the local holiday park.

HUKUTAIA DOMAIN ŌPOTIKI

Home to one of the country’s best collections of native trees including a 2500-year-old pūriri tree.There are several gentle walks through the park and various painted pebbles! People have started to hide the rocks, encouraging kids to find them and re-hide.

MAKETŪ

There’s nothing better than biting into a famous Maketū pie after a day of diving or snorkelling around the inlet mouth.

WHAKATĀNE

This picturesque town is the Kiwi Capital of the World, with many feathered kiwis choosing to reside here. You’ll want to stay forever, too. With endless coastline, ancient forests and attractive islands on the horizon, it’s a mecca of fun, sun and feel-good vibes.

Make time to visit this restored Māori meeting house which travelled the world for 130 years before being returned home to Whakatāne and the Ngāti Awa people in 2011.

Mataatua: The House That Came Home, Whakatāne © Bay of Plenty Tourism

If you’re a diver, or perhaps you’ve been looking for a reason to start, there’s an excellent dive site near Whale Island/Moutohorā where the ship Seafire was sunk to create an artificial reef. You can also learn to surf 10 minutes down the road at Ōhope Beach, jet boat down the Rangitāiki River or kayak in Ōhiwa Harbour.

There is plenty to enjoy on the mainland too, including historic Māori pā sites accessed via the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway and the town’s cultural hub Te Kōputu a Te Whanga a Toi, which is also home to the Whakatāne Library, Exhibition Centre and Museum.

Māori carving in a Whakatāne wetland © Bay of Plenty Tourism

Highlights

> Whale Island

> Mataatua Wharenui

> Ngā Tapuwae o Toi walkway

> Exhibition centre

> Ōhope Beach

ROCK N’ ROLL… INTO TOWN

The Irakewa Rock (Te Toka O Irakewa in Māori) on the foreshore of the Whakatāne River is one of the landmarks that Toroa, captain of the Mataatua waka, was told to look out for by his father Irakewa when he came to settle in the area from Hawaiki 600 years ago.

Irakewa, who had noticed the rock when he visited the area previously, told his son ‘the rock standing in the river is myself’ which, along with a couple of other landmarks, was enough for Toroa to recognise the area. The rock was destroyed in 1925 to make way for a Harbour Board wall, but a section remains near the riverbank.

Kayaking tour around Moutohora Island, Whakatāne © Bay of Plenty Tourism

NATURE LOVERS

KIWI NIGHT WALK, WHAKATĀNE

Whakatāne is known as the Kiwi Capital of New Zealand which means you’re highly likely to hear them call at night. At certain times of the year you can join the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust volunteers and visit these nocturnal birds in their natural habitat, while learning about the conservation work that’s done to ensure their survival. To appreciate them during daylight hours, pick up a Kiwi Wandering Trail map and track down the 10 bronze kiwi statues dotted around the town.

KAYAKING

Take your pick of places to take to the waters of the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Highlights include the awesome scenery to be found along the Waioeka River as it twists down a native bush-clad valley just out of Ōpōtiki, the serenely pretty Ōhiwa Harbour and the hydroelectric dam-created by Lake Matahina 30 minutes out of Whakatāne, and surrounded by rolling hills covered in native bush.

WHITE PINE BUSH RESERVE

There’s nothing diminutive about kahikatea trees, as our tallest native tree, they command the White Pine Bush Reserve in Whakatāne. A 250m wheelchair accessible walkway loops through the pleasant reserve.

MOUTOHORA ISLAND

Whale Island © Getty Images

Moutohora or Whale Island as it’s also known sits 9km off the coast of Whakatāne in total solitude.

Tui © Janice McKenna

As one of New Zealand’s most restricted pest-free wildlife sanctuaries, there are around 190 native and 110 introduced plant species growing happily on these shores, as well as rare wildlife such as tuatara. The island’s name derives from its whale shape, formed by three volcanic cones which are accessed on a 15-minute catamaran sailing. Only a small number of guests visit each day, allowing the island to flourish with abundant birdlife including tui and grey petrel as well as skittish lizards and fur seals. Other highlights include Onepū Bay, where you can dig yourself a geothermal hot pool on the empty beach.

TOP WALKS

Ngā Tapuwae o Toi/Kohi Pt Walkway, Whakatāne © Bay of Plenty Tourism

NGĀ TAPUWAE O TOI/ KOHI PT WALKWAY, WHAKATĀNE Stretching for 8km between Whakatāne and Ōhope Beach, this walkway encompasses land once reigned over by the famous Māori chief Toi-te-huatahi. He settled in Whakatāne centuries ago and a highlight of the walk is Kapu-te-Rangi (the ‘pā of gentle breezes’), one of the oldest pā sites in Aotearoa, and Toi’s former stronghold.

WHAKATĀNE RIVER WALK Follow the river to Whakatāne Heads, passing many historic features.

WHAKATĀNE HERITAGE TRAIL This walk weaves past many historic sites,with information panels enroute. It’s a fabulous way to gain insight into Whakatāne’s history.

LATHAM HILL TRACK, WHAKATĀNE Take either the Latham Hill Track, which offers impressive vistas over the Rangitaikī Plains, or the Puketapu Lookout and Papaka Redoubt track for views of the town and the remains of a Māori fortification.

KAIMAI MAMAKU FOREST PARK, TAURANGA You can access tracks within this 300ha park from several points throughout the Bay of Plenty. Historically significant, the Kaimai Mamaku Range served as a hunting ground, pantry and medicine cabinet for Māori settlers.

ŌPOTIKI

With more than its fair share of sunshine and unspoiled beaches, this is paradise in summer.

Cycling along the Tirohanga Dunes, Motu Trail, Ōpotiki © Neil Robert Hutton Photography

Jet boating, rafting, kayaking, surfing and swimming abound in Ōpōtiki and fishing is a good option too. Local rivers swell with fish and charter boats operate deep-sea fishing trips. On land, there is easy access to Te Urewera and bush walking in the region is extra attractive. Cycling is dreamy along the beach, and the Motu Trails weave between Ōpōtiki and Gisborne, with tracks for all abilities.

Looking for a place to stay? Find a huge range of accommodation options, including discounts for AA Members, at travel.aa.co.nz

Main Image: Otarawairere Bay, Whakatāne © Bay of Plenty Tourism