Most visitors to New Zealand’s Eastern Bay of Plenty get more than they bargained for. Home to Whakatane, NZ’s sunshine capital, it’s a coastal getaway where time stands still. This slice of New Zealand is vastly under-rated and with our guide you can experience this part of New Zealand like a true nomad.
Getting there
You can either fly to Tauranga Airport or Rotorua Airport and hire a car or get a bus to the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Rotorua is well connected when it comes to public transport and operates two services, nakedbus and baybus. Check both operators for routes.
Hit the water
Start your Eastern Bay experience with an early morning family paddle around Ohiwa Harbour with a knowledgeable guide. Kenny McCracken, owner-operator of KG Kayaks, has a wealth of knowledge and is very patient with inexperienced kayakers. Ohiwa Harbour is the hidden gem in Whakatane’s crown. It’s largely protected by two spits and there are plenty of inlets and channels worth exploring. It’s a great place to kayak, whatever your level of experience.
You can also check Moutohora (Whale Island). A dormant volcano five nautical miles from Whakatane. Whale Island is a refuge for endangered birds and plants under Department of Conservation protection. Access is restricted, making a visit here special indeed. Highlights include a giant rock elephant and the baby seals you might be lucky enough to catch sunbathing on rocks on the Whakatane side of the island.
Kawerau is the only location in New Zealand with a purpose-built whitewater slalom facility, so it’s no surprise it hosts international rafting and kayaking events. There’s also excellent fishing to be had in the Tarawera River and nearby lakes. Rainbow trout averaging 1.5kg thrive in the river, and Lake Tarawera and Rotoma are well stocked with rainbow and brown trout.
The area is very friendly to campers and this way you can really experience it like a nomad. There are many freedom camping sites and holiday beach parks. You can use campermate app to find the locations and facilities of each camp sites. For a total list of camping sites in Bay of Plenty area, visit Bay of Plenty official camping site.
Walk it off
Walk off your sea legs on the popular track between Whakatane and Ohope, voted New Zealand’s best beach in 2013. The Nga Tapuwae o Toi Walkway encompasses some of the country’s best scenery and offers stunning coastal views. Plus it has a few challenging hills that add to its appeal. According to the oral traditions of Ngati Awa, one of Whakatane’s main iwi, Toi was descended from Tiwakawaka, the area’s first inhabitant. His stronghold, Kaputerangi (pa of gentle breezes), is one of New Zealand’s oldest pa sites and a highlight of the 16km walkway. The walk is especially stunning in summer, when the pohutukawa trees are blooming and the water at Otarawairere Beach en route to Ohope is warm enough to swim in.
A few kilometres east of Opotiki, the Tautarangi Walkway at Opape Beach is one of the most memorable coastal walks in the district. Starting at Opape Beach, the path follows the coastline through native bush, treating walkers to glimpses of the sea along the way. There are two viewing points; the second will reward you with one of the most magical views on the east coast.
Walking time is under an hour return.
For a challenging hike, aim for the summit of the iconic Mt Edgecumbe (Putauaki), which rises 820m above sea level and looms over Kawerau. The volcanic cone offers outstanding views of the surrounding plains and hills and hosts the annual King of the Mountain race. Visitors can hike to its summit in about two hours. You need a permit to do this.
