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Historical
The way things used to be, preserved lest we forget. |
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Urban-Rural |
 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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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Kaimai-Mamaku |
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.
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Wairongomai Valley
A prospector, Hone Werahiko found gold in the Waiorongomai Valley in 1881. Expensive
engineering projects failed due to low yields from the unexpectedly hard rock of the
enormous gold bearing reef. One of these projects is the Piako County Tramway, New
Zealand oldest tramway still on site and is a showcase historic site for the Department of
Conservation.
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Hendersons Tramline
Hendersons Tramline loop track follows the route of bush tramlines and haul lines once used to extract logs from the bush.The walk includes forest and clearings near the fringe of the park. A side track off the main walk leads down to the base of a waterfall and a large swimming hole.
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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.
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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.
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Whirinaki Forest |
Whirinaki Forest Park Mountain Bike Track
Whirinaki Forest Park Mountain Bike Track
Tall trees, rushing rivers, special plants and animals, a wide variety of habitats and fascinating past combine to create Whirinaki Forest park. This was one of New Zealand''s most famous conservation battlegrounds, where people actively fought to save a magnificent native forest.
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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.
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Lakes And Geothermal |
Okareka Walkway
The 2.5km Okareka walkway is part of a continuing community revegetation project aimed at improving lake water quality and re-establishing wildlife habitats. A 500m boardwalk provides assisted wheelchair access to the wetland area of the walk.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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Tuhua (Mayor Island)
Tuhua (Mayor Island) is
an ancient volcano, once
prized, quarried and
fought over for it's
valuable black glossy
obsidian, now safe-haven
for some of New Zealand's
most threatened native
species. The adjacent
Tuhua Marine Reserve is
renowned for its high
water quality, diversity
of deep sea and sub-
tropical fish species and
stunning geological
features.
The island is classified
as a Wildlife Refuge and
administered by the Tuhua
Trust Board, whom
represent the owners and
are working in
partnership with the
Department of
Conservation to restore
the island as close as
possible to it's original
state.
Visitors are welcome on
the island by prior
arrangement and are asked
to follow a few rules and
biosecurity precautions,
so that the island's
natural beauty, pest-free
status and unique
inhabitants are
protected.
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