Bay of Plenty Walks

There are numerous short walks which can be enjoyed throughout the Bay of Plenty region.

There is no better way to enjoy the beauty of the Bay’s environment than to step outside for a walk.  The region offers numerous well maintained and easily accessible walking trails, and the warm, settled climate makes it the ideal location for year round walking and hiking. 

City walks include a number of estuary and waterfront trails and a historic city trail taking in twenty historical places of interest including the Elms Mission House, the oldest European heritage site in the Bay of Plenty. 

At the entrance of the Tauranga Harbour, and alongside Mount Maunganui beach, stands Mauao, meaning caught by the morning light. At 232 metres above the beach, Mauao is the most culturally significant mountain to the region’s three Iwi - Maori tribes.

The dormant volcano has a number of walking tracks around the base and up to the summit.  The leisurely 3.4km stroll around the base track, overlooks volcanic rock structures, native Pohutukawa trees, marine and bird life, and is one of the most popular walks in New Zealand.  Offering some of the best ocean and city views you’ll see anywhere in the world - it’s easy to see why over a million people walk on the mountain each year.

Another impressive walk is the Papamoa Hills Regional Park summit walk.  The park is one of the most historic landmarks in the Bay of Plenty and is a unique mix of Maori pa sites, native forest and farmland, offering spectacular views of the coast, out-lying islands and localkiwi fruit orchards.

Otanewainuku is another beautiful walk.  Mount Otanewainuku is covered by native forest especially rimu, tawa, and rewarewa and native bird life is abundant.  The track to the summit is steep in parts, but the view from the top is worth the climb. A viewing platform on the summit offers panoramic views from East Cape to Mount Tarawera and Rotorua, and across the Mamaku plateau to Mount Ruapehu.

Tuahu Kauri track takes you into the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, through native forest to the magnificent kauri tree Tuahu - one of the largest kauri trees in the country.  This walk ends at Hot Springs Road, and what better way to ease away the aches and pains of a day’s walking than a soak in these natural thermal hot springs.