Boat Ramp Gain easy access to some of the best boating spots in the Bay of Plenty. Kayaking Enjoy the thrill of the white water or just a calm paddle taking in the beautiful surrounds. Camping Plenty of room is available to pitch yor tent and enjoy your surrounds throughout most of the Bay of Plenty.
Disabled Access Easy access for wheelchairs and buggies. Fishing Try some of these prime fishing locations and be sure to go home with a fresh catch for dinner. Horse Riding There are many superb horsetreks to be experienced throughout the Bay of Plenty.
Hunting Deer, wild pigs, goats and more can be found in various locals around the Bay of Plenty. Hut Many of the tramps in the Bay of Plenty take more than a few hours - huts are provided for overnight excursions. Information Need maps, help or advice when in the area - check out our Information Centres.
Look Outs Experience the magestic views that only the Bay of Plenty can provide. Mountain Biking Extreme or leisurely, the Bay of Plenty has many great scenic cycling experiences. Boating Some of the most stunning locations can be only viewed in their full glory from off-shore.
Parking Need a place to park, look no further. Picnicing Beautiful scenic areas with picnic tables provided for your eating pleasure. Rafting Enjoy the thrill of the ride on one of our many great rafting experiences.
Sailing Enjoy the wind in your hair and the beautiful views at one of our exquisite sailing locations. Surfing Surfs up - tear up the waves at one of the Bay of Plentys prime breaks. Swiming Take a dip and enjoy the surrounds at one of our many superb beaches.
Public Toilets The Bay of Plenty is renowned for the cleanliness of its amenities. Tramping There are numerous excellent tracks to experience in the Bay of Plenty. Water Skiing Feel the spray on your face and the wind in your hair - the Bay of Plenty has some exquisite waterskiing locations.
Walking A cool casual walk taking in the beautiful Bay of Plenty scenery can be a great way to wind down. Wild Life An abundance of native flora and fauna can be found in these gorgeous settings. Gamebird Hunting Some of the best areas to sit and wait during the hunting season.
Historical The way things used to be, preserved lest we forget. Leashed Dogwalks Plenty of room to exercise your canine - just remember to keep them on their leashes. Geothermal Experience spectacular forces of nature at work - but remember not to stray from the path.
Camper Van Pull up and spend some time in one of our Camper Van friendly camping sites. BBQ The good old kiwi barbie - nothing
Home Whirinaki Forest 'Dinosaur' forests of giant trees many centuries old. The eastern ranges of the Bay of Plenty are remote and untouched. Kaimai-Mamaku The western ranges of the Bay of Plenty are a living museum of the regions natural and human history. Urban-Rural There are many places in the Bay of Plenty where nature is close to our homes. Lakes And Geothermal Beautiful lakes, distinctive volcanic landscapes and unique geothermal sites are special features of the Bay of Plenty. Coastal Pohutukawa fringed beaches and golden sand. Bay of Plenty's coastal environment is beautiful.
Look Outs

Experience the magestic views that only the Bay of Plenty can provide.		 Click for home


Urban-Rural There are many places in the Bay of Plenty where nature is close to our homes. Urban-Rural
Papamoa Hills Regional Park

The Papamoa Hills Regional Park is a unique mix of pa sites, stands of native forest and farmland. It offers outstanding views over the Bay of Plenty coastline. The area is rich in Maori history and ancestral association.
Tuapiro Point

Tuapiro Point is a small sandspit opposite the northern entrance to Tauranga Harbour.
The end of the sandspit has great views of the harbour and provides a resting place for
estuary wildlife.
Moturiki Island and Mount Drury

Tiny, rugged Moturiki Island offers spectacular geyser-like displays from the Blow Hole at the
seaward end when big seas are running. The deep water beneath the island rocky shore
provides good fishing. Just across Marine Parade is Mount Drury, whose caves were used by
early Maori for burials. Terraces on the north-eastern slopes are evidence of Maori occupation.
The aerials on top of the hill are used by the Port of Tauranga watch office for communication
with ships.
Latham Hill Track

Latham Hill Track starts in farmland and takes in scrub, native bush and several old Maori pa
sites. Quiet observation in the bush will often reveal bird species including tui, bellbirds, kereru
(native pigeons) and fantails. The track ends at a trig station with views of the ranges and
Rangitaiki Plains.The Awakeri Hot Springs thermally heated pools are about 500m from the
track entrance,for a swim to end the walk.
McLaren Falls Park

The park borders Lake McLaren, formed behind a dam built for hydro-electricity generation.
The landscape includes parkland and native bush. McLaren Falls has a fine botanical collection
of trees and a range of birdlife, including the North Island brown kiwi, North Island robin
and long-tailed cuckoo.The park has accommodation, with camping on any open, grassed area, except Cherry Bay,and three hostels. Trout fishing is permitted year round in the lake and nearby Ruahihi Canal
with a licence. An animal park adjoins McLaren Falls Park.
Tauranga City Walks

The coastal city of Tauranga has park, estuary and foreshore walks that offer a varied range
of views and activities for users of all ages.
Uretara Stream Walkway

The Uretara Landing on the banks of the Uretara Stream played an important part in the
establishment of Katikati, when Tauranga Harbour and its waterways were the most
practical transport routes for people and goods. A mural painted by Roy Cunliffe on a wall
next to the Bank of New Zealand in Katikati main street shows the landing in earlier
times, around 1900.
Rotorua City Walks

Varied sections of walkway around Rotorua take in areas of historical, cultural, scenic and
scientific interest. Much of the landscape in Kuirau Park and along the Motutara and Te
Arikiroa sections of lakeside walk has been shaped by geothermal activity. The entire
Rotorua City Walkway measures 26km, broken into eight shorter sections.
The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest

Known to the locals simply as The Redwoods, the beautiful Whakarewarewa Forest is a five-minute drive from Rotorua city centre. The most popular part of the forest available for recreational use is the Tokorangi Triangle. It encompasses 288 hectares of native and exotic trees adjoining the renowned Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, providing an exquisite
visual backdrop to Rotorua.
Kawerau Town Walks

Kawerau, a town of 7000 people on the Tarawera River, was established in the 1950s. Various walks provide a variety of landscapes, including views of the river and the town.
Te Waihou Walkway

Scenic beauty and history are features of the walkway, beside the upper reaches of the Waihou River. The river water is clear and pure, with an intense blue colour. Many springs and tributaries feed the river. The Blue Spring is internationally acclaimed. Its clear, blue-green water flows from the spring at 42 cubic metres (9240 gallons) per minute. The water is sold in bottled form around New Zealand and supplies the town of Putaruru without treatment.
Discover it... Love it... Live it...
Mauao Mount Maunganui

The dominant feature of the Tauranga district, Mauao rises 232m above sea level at the Mount Maunganui side of the entrance to Tauranga Harbour. Mauao has been of great importance to local Maori for more than six centuries and habitation terraces, storage pits, defence
trenching, bank systems and shell middens are still visible. The British Militia made
military use of Mauao in colonial days. Traces of their occupation are visible around the
base track.

Kaimai-Mamaku The western ranges of the Bay of Plenty are a living museum of the regions natural and human history. Kaimai-Mamaku
McLaren Falls Park

The park borders Lake McLaren, formed behind a dam built for hydro-electricity generation.
The landscape includes parkland and native bush. McLaren Falls has a fine botanical collection
of trees and a range of birdlife, including the North Island brown kiwi, North Island robin
and long-tailed cuckoo.The park has accommodation, with camping on any open, grassed area, except Cherry Bay,and three hostels. Trout fishing is permitted year round in the lake and nearby Ruahihi Canal
with a licence. An animal park adjoins McLaren Falls Park.
Te Aroha Walks

Te Aroha township, developed in the 1880s as a spa town, has 22 springs, 15 of which are hot.
The Domain retains the look of Edwardian times with formal gardens and many of the old
bathhouse buildings. Mt Te Aroha is the highest point in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park at
952m.
Wairere Falls

The Wairere Falls track takes walkers through a beautiful, diverse range of natural scenery.
Besides the spectacular 153m high falls there are beautiful river falls and cascades, a fine grove
of nikau, puriri and kohekohe, and an upper section of track takes you through tree ferns
and totara in native forest. The falls lookout and summit offer magnificent views of the
valley and the Waikato Plains.In summer there are plenty of pools to wade
and paddle in, and the track can be explored further up the river.
Aongatete Lodge Track

Walks around the Aongatete Outdoor Education Lodge, in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, take in lovely lowland podocarp-broadleaf forest with a variety of native species. The walks vary from a short nature trail to a more demanding three-and-a-half hour tramp.
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park

The 37,000ha forest park is a living museum of natural and human history.The park marks the northern limit of kamahi, red and silver beech,and the southern limit of the huge kauri. Birdlife includes the fantail, North Island Robin, kereru (native pigeon), waxeye or silver-eye, tui and tomtit. Kiwi and morepork (ruru) can sometimes be heard at night, the North Island kaka is a rare sight, and the shining cuckoo and bellbird are more often heard than seen. Maori established routes across the Kaimai Ranges for trading and raiding. Later,these trails were used by Europeans. The introduction of logging and mining had a substantial impact on areas of the park which are clearly visible in the form of caves, tramlines and remnants of kauri.
Mount Otanewainuku

Mount Otanewainuku (640m) is covered in virgin forest. Emergent podocarps, especially
rimu, are common. Tawa, kamahi and rewarewa form the canopy and bird life is prolific.
Geologically, Otanewainuku is a rhyolitic dome rising above the ignimbrite Mamaku plateau.
The summit gives panoramic views from East Cape to Mt Tarawera, across the Mamaku Plateau
Maori legend says Tutanekai, lover of Hinemoa,leapt off Otanewainuku to escape his Rotorua
enemies.Walks in the area range from a 30-minute stroll to demanding and lengthy tramping.
Otawa Scenic Reserve

Otawa Scenic Reserve in the Papamoa Hills contains attractive lowland forest dominated
by tawa and rewarewa. Wharetetarakeho Trig offers excellent views over the Bay of
Plenty coast. At the Manoeka Road entrance is a pleasant bushwalk and picnic area.
Te Rerekawau (Kaiate Falls)

Te Rerekawau Falls are
created where the Kaiate
Stream drops over
ignimbrite bluffs in
a series of cascades and
waterfalls in a
pretty,bush-filled
ravine. Attractions
include a
popular swimming hole at
the base of the lower
falls,and a number of
large puriri and
kohekohe along the well
formed tracks.

Whirinaki Forest 'Dinosaur' forests of giant trees many centuries old. The eastern ranges of the Bay of Plenty are remote and untouched. Whirinaki Forest
H Tree Track

Whirinaki Forest Park offers a variety of short
walks that visit some of the parkís special
features and show off the magnificent ëdinosaurí
forest, dominated by towering examples of
kahikatea, totara, matai, rimu, miro and much
tawa. Birdlife includes rare species, especially
the whio (blue duck), North Island kaka, red
and yellow crowned kakariki, kiwi and kereru.
Whirinaki Waterfall Track

This easy loop track follows the Whirinaki River through superb podocarp forest
with many excellent vantage points. The waterfall can be heard from some distance.
Te Urewera

Te Urewera is an area of varied scenery - rivers,grass flats, steep sided hillsides cut
by streams and native vegetation. The vegetation ranges from lush kohekohe forest in river
and stream valleys to beech forests on the more elevated dividing ranges, with some scrub
and grassed clearings.
Arohaki Lagoon

Whirinaki Forest Park offers a variety of short
walks that visit some of the parkís special
features and show off the magnificent ëdinosaurí
forest, dominated by towering examples of
kahikatea, totara, matai, rimu, miro and much
tawa. Birdlife includes rare species, especially
the whio (blue duck), North Island kaka, red
and yellow crowned kakariki, kiwi and kereru.
Whirinaki Forest Park

Whirinaki Forest Park has something for everyone, with terrain ranging from flats to
steep uplands. The park, known as a ‘dinosaur forest, has many tall trees that are centuries
old. Sights include giant podocarps, views of the river cutting through an ancient lava flow,
and caves with pumice deposits and remnants of the Taupo eruption nearly 2000 years ago.
Waiatiu Falls

Whirinaki Forest Park offers a variety of short
walks that visit some of the parkís special
features and show off the magnificent ëdinosaurí
forest, dominated by towering examples of
kahikatea, totara, matai, rimu, miro and much
tawa. Birdlife includes rare species, especially
the whio (blue duck), North Island kaka, red
and yellow crowned kakariki, kiwi and kereru.
Sanctuary

Whirinaki Forest Park offers a variety of short
walks that visit some of the parkís special
features and show off the magnificent ëdinosaurí
forest, dominated by towering examples of
kahikatea, totara, matai, rimu, miro and much
tawa. Birdlife includes rare species, especially
the whio (blue duck), North Island kaka, red
and yellow crowned kakariki, kiwi and kereru.

Lakes And Geothermal Beautiful lakes, distinctive volcanic landscapes and unique geothermal sites are special features of the Bay of Plenty. Lakes And Geothermal
Rainbow Mountain Scenic Reserve

Rainbow Mountain is significant in botanical and scientific terms, containing a complex
mixture of plant species, some of which are rare and unique to geothermal areas. From its
volcanic origins, Rainbow Mountain (Maungakakaramea, meaning ‘mountain of
coloured earth) has cooled over recent years.Though places are still smouldering, the native
vegetation is regenerating.
McLaren Falls Park

The park borders Lake McLaren, formed behind a dam built for hydro-electricity generation.
The landscape includes parkland and native bush. McLaren Falls has a fine botanical collection
of trees and a range of birdlife, including the North Island brown kiwi, North Island robin
and long-tailed cuckoo.The park has accommodation, with camping on any open, grassed area, except Cherry Bay,and three hostels. Trout fishing is permitted year round in the lake and nearby Ruahihi Canal
with a licence. An animal park adjoins McLaren Falls Park.
Rotorua City Walks

Varied sections of walkway around Rotorua take in areas of historical, cultural, scenic and
scientific interest. Much of the landscape in Kuirau Park and along the Motutara and Te
Arikiroa sections of lakeside walk has been shaped by geothermal activity. The entire
Rotorua City Walkway measures 26km, broken into eight shorter sections.
Blue Lake

The Blue Lake (Tikitapu) is one of the closest, lakes to Rotorua. Its clear blue waters are popular with water skiers, swimmers and boaties. An easy walking track circles the lake taking in beautiful beaches, native bush and the exotic conifers of Whakarewarewa Forest. There are good views over Blue Lake and the nearby Green Lake (Rotokakahi).
Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve

The Lake Okataina area was an important link in pre-European routes, when canoes were carried from Lake Tarawera to Lake Okataina.Okataina Road follows one of these ancient portage routes.

The Lake Okataina Scenic Reserve is a pristine natural area with native bush down to the waters edge. The reserve is rich in birdlife and contains fine examples of rimu, totara, rata and kahikatea.
Lake Rotoiti

Lake Rotoiti is popular for water sports and fishing. The lake has a navigable water link with
Lake Rotorua. Among important cultural, historic and scenic sites around the lake are Okere Falls
Scenic Reserve and Hinehopu/Hongi Track (Lake Rotoiti Scenic Reserve, Hinehopu Scenic Reserve).
Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve

The 1886 eruption, which killed 153 people and raised the lake surface by 12m, shaped the
Tarawera landscape. The lake drains eastward through the Tarawera River, over spectacular
falls. The reserve contains walking tracks and many recreational and cultural sites,
including those at Tarawera Landing, The Orchard, Humphries Bay and Hot Water Beach.

Coastal Pohutukawa fringed beaches and golden sand. Bay of Plenty's coastal environment is beautiful. Coastal
Moturiki Island and Mount Drury

Tiny, rugged Moturiki Island offers spectacular geyser-like displays from the Blow Hole at the
seaward end when big seas are running. The deep water beneath the island rocky shore
provides good fishing. Just across Marine Parade is Mount Drury, whose caves were used by
early Maori for burials. Terraces on the north-eastern slopes are evidence of Maori occupation.
The aerials on top of the hill are used by the Port of Tauranga watch office for communication
with ships.
Tauranga City Walks

The coastal city of Tauranga has park, estuary and foreshore walks that offer a varied range
of views and activities for users of all ages.
The Nga Tapuwae O Toi Walkway (Ohope Scenic Reserve)

Translated as ‘the footprints of Toi the 16 kilometres of walkways on the outskirts of
Whakatane are accessible to most people,regardless of fitness, because they can be walked
in sections or as one round trip. Nga Tapuwae o Toi visits three major scenic reserves and a
historic reserve. The walkway passes through native and exotic forest, and along coastline
and riverbank.In Ngati Awa oral tradition Toi was a great chief,descendant of the legendary
voyager Tiwakawaka and founder of a great tribe. The walkway visits Toi stronghold
Kapu-te-rangi overlooking Whakatane. The walkway crosses Kohi Point Scenic Reserve,
Ohope Beach, travels through the Ohope Scenic Reserve pohutukawa forest, across remnants
of native forest to the regenerating flora of Mokorua Bush Scenic Reserve.
Bowentown Domain

Bowentown Domain is a beautiful reserve of 128 hectares on a rocky headland at the
northern entrance to Tauranga Harbour. The headland has several important Maori pa sites,
as it was much sought after as a living area in early times. The Te Ho pa site on the eastern
headland has magnificent views. Te Kura a Maiapa site is on the southern headland.
Gerald Crapp Historic Reserve

The 2ha Gerald Crapp Historic Reserve contains splendid mature trees, including a Moreton Bay
fig, the legacy of one pioneer family in the days when the shores of Tauranga Harbour were
largely treeless. The reserve is also the site of Wai Huri Pa, of historical importance to the
Waharoa people. The area offers magnificent views of the harbour and Matakana Island.
A number of walking tracks allow a circuit of much of the Omokoroa Peninsula, including a
visit to the historic reserve on the headland.
Kauri Point Historic Reserve

Kauri Point has historic Maori pafortifications and trenches, as well as superb
examples of pohutukawa trees fringing the shore. Kauri Point jetty extends 196 metres
out into Tauranga Harbour and is a popular fishing spot.
Western Whakatane Coastal Reserves


The Matata Wildlife Reserve, Matata Recreation Reserve and the Thornton Wildlife Management
Reserve make up the Western Whakatane Coastal Recreation reserves.
Mauao Mount Maunganui

The dominant feature of the Tauranga district, Mauao rises 232m above sea level at the Mount Maunganui side of the entrance to Tauranga Harbour. Mauao has been of great importance to local Maori for more than six centuries and habitation terraces, storage pits, defence
trenching, bank systems and shell middens are still visible. The British Militia made
military use of Mauao in colonial days. Traces of their occupation are visible around the
base track.

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Please contact 0064 09 349 7400 for more information.