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.
Public Toilets

The Bay of Plenty is renowned for the cleanliness of its amenities.		 Click for home


Urban-Rural There are many places in the Bay of Plenty where nature is close to our homes. Urban-Rural
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.
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.
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.
Hukutaia Domain

The 5ha domain contains one of the finest collections of native flora, with 80 species of native trees, shrubs, ferns and grasses, plus several hundred other native species introduced from elsewhere. Many are rare or endangered.The domain has magnificent forest settings,parkland, rock gardens and many walks.In the domain is an ancient burial tree,“Taketakerau”. It is a puriri tree, about 22m around, over 23m high and estimated to be over 2000 years old. Hollow burial trees suchas Taketakerau were used by Maori as the last resting place for the bones of important people.A local found bones in the tree while sheltering from a storm in 1913. The bones have been removed and the tapu lifted.
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...

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.
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.
Karangahake Gorge

The Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway follows the old Paeroa-Waihi railway line
through the gorge above the Ohinemuri River.It passes historical features associated with the
gold fields. Beside the walkway can be seen the remains of mine buildings and machinery,
including stamper batteries used to extract gold from quartz. The walkway gives a fascinating
glimpse of the history of a major gold producing area that operated from 1875 to 1952.
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
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.
Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve

The reserve is 1800ha of forest and regenerating farmland. The area was cleared for farming
after World War 1, but the steep land and then the depression deafeated the settlers. The
Tauranga and Manganuku Bridges are among evidence of the pioneer farming in the area. The
Tauranga Bridge is one of only two harp suspension bridges in the country.
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
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.
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 Rerewhakaaitu Recreational Reserves

Lake Rerewhakaaitu is a site of special wildlife interest. It supports breeding populations of
dabchicks, scaup and the largest breeding population of banded dotterel in the Rotorua
Ecological District.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Orokawa and Homunga Bay

Orokawa Scenic Reserve contains uncommon remnants of coastal forest, pohutukawa-fringed
beaches, beautiful views and picnic spots, and good rock fishing. There are many historic pa
sites. Mine tunnels along the coast recall largely unsuccessful attempts to extract gold
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.

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© Copyright. Destination Outdoors Bay of Plenty is the product of a Department of Conservation (Bay of Plenty Conservancy) initiative promoting recreational opportunities for people to learn about the natural, historical and cultural significance of the Bay of Plenty.
Please contact 0064 09 349 7400 for more information.