8 minute read
ROAD TRIP - Tauranga to Ōpōtiki
Tauranga to Whakatāne via SH 2; this route has tolls. 1hr 14min, 92.4km
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Whakatāne to Ōpōtiki via Wainui Rd & SH 2 39min, 44.3km
SIDE TRIP - Whakatāne to Moutohora Island (Whale Island) via the ferry across to the island 15min each way
The quick zip east from Tauranga to Ōpōtiki 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 Ōpōtiki, one of the first places settled by Māori and where you can immerse yourself in the history of the region.
Ōhope Beach
© Bay of Plenty Tourism
WHAKATĀNE
Whakatāne Heads
© Bay of Plenty Tourism
If you’re a diver, 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 Rangitaiki River or kayak in Ōhiwa Harbour.
In Whakatāne, there is a fishing charter or boat tour to suit every aquatic inclination, while on land the Kiwi Wandering Trail is peppered with 10 bronze kiwi statues which you can find on a self-guided scavenger hunt. Pick up a brochure with clues at the i-SITE or library. Whakatāne is also the only New Zealand town with a waterfall in the middle of it. Walk along a short path to the waterfall’s base.
> Exhibition Centre
> Ōhope Beach
> Mataatua Wharenui
> Ngā Tapuwae o Toi
> Whale Island
Julians Berry Farm and Café
© Strike Photography
HIGHLIGHTS
PĀPĀMOA BEACH Even though it’s just 15 minutes drive from Mt Maunganui, Pāpāmoa 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 beach.
TE PUKE Known as the kiwifruit capital of the world, you can join tours of the orchards. Take a 25-minute drive to Mt Ōtanewainuku for a pleasant walk through shaded native bush teeming with bird life.
Dog in kiwifruit orchard, Te Puke
© Love Kiwi
MATATĀ WILDLIFE REFUGE RESERVE A 30-minute drive along the coast from Te Puke, there are walkways and picnic tables. Walk 5km further along the shoreline for a top birdwatching shelter.
ŌHOPE BEACH 11km of unspoilt beauty perfect for swimming and surfing. Explore Ōhiwa Harbour, separated from Ōhope by a giant sandspit, and watch for godwits. From Ōhope, climb over to the Ōtarawairere Bay, a beautiful beach accessible by a 15-minute walk or kayak.
Ōhope Beach
© Whakatāne District Council
ŌHIWA NATURE TRAIL, ŌHIWA BEACH Just west of Ōpōtiki is the beachside settlement of Ōhiwa with its own nature trail to a glowworm grotto and waterfall. The trail is paradise for birds and the glowworms are just a 20-minute walk from the local holiday park.
HUKUTAIA DOMAIN IN ŌPŌTIKI Home to one of the country’s best collections of native trees including a 2500-year-old pūriri tree. There are several gentle walks scattered with various painted pebbles! Kids are encouraged 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.
MATAATUA WHARENUI MARAE, WHAKATĀNE 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.
HISTORIC LANDMARKS
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.
Whakatāne river mouth
© Andy Belcher
TOP WALKS
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.
WHAKATĀNE RIVER WALK Follow the river to Whakatāne Heads, passing many historic features.
WAIRERE FALLS TRACK, WHAKATĀNE This popular 5km walk takes you to the one of the most beautiful and historically significant places in Whakatāne. The track weaves its way through moss covered rocks and tree roots. Large round boulders form natural pools and cascading waterfalls.
HUKUTAIA DOMAIN, ŌPŌTIKI Check out the 2000-year-old pūriri tree on a walk in this 5ha domain. The tree named Taketakerau was highly tapu (sacred) and being hollow was used as a resting place for the bones of the distinguished dead of the Upokorehe iwi (tribe).
Hukutaia Domain, Ōpōtiki
© Adobe Stock
ŌPŌTIKI
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.
Ōpōtiki beach
© Adobe Stock
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 for a night walk to spot them in their natural habitat.
NGĀ TAPUWAE O TOI (FOOTPRINTS OF TOI) Canvassing the coastline and cliff edge, this pathway weaves between pā sites, scenic reserves and a brigade of seabirds. Allow five to seven hours to cover 16km.
Exploring Ngā Tapuwae o Toi
© Whakatāne District Council
KAYAKING Take your pick of places to take to the waters. Highlights include the awesome scenery in and along the Waioeka River, the serenely pretty Ōhiwa Harbour and the hydroelectric dam-created by Lake Matahina, 30 minutes out of Whakatāne.
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.
PUKETAPU LOOKOUT For stunning views of Whakatāne River mouth and surrounding plains, follow a short, steep walk to the top of Puketapu.
Kiwi, Whakatāne © Neil Robert Hutton
© Neil Robert Hutton
SIDE TRIP - MOUTOHORA ISLAND
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 basking fur seals. Other highlights include Onepū Bay, where you can dig yourself a geothermal hot pool on the empty beach.
Moutohorā Island
© Camilla Rutherford
