Every New Zealand town has one and Opotiki is no different with the fantastic Opotiki Museum. Located in an old bus station, the Opotiki Museum has displays on two levels, showcasing relics from the town over the years on the ground floor and Maori artefacts on the first floor. There is a small fee for […]

At the beginning of the Waioeka Gorge (see above), the Tauranga Bridge is one of the last harp-strung suspension bridges left in New Zealand. The bridge is an easy 5-minute walk from the roadside car park. Otherwise, enjoy a 2-hour loop track from the bridge for a pleasant river and forest walk. There are a […]

Discover thousands of New Zealand trees and ferns at this 4.5-hectare domain on the outskirts of Opotiki. See ancient Puriri, mighty Tawa and the Taketakerau (The Burial Tree). The Burial Tree is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old and was once used to store the bones of the dead. A storm exposed the […]

This scenic route between Opotiki and Gisborne unveils a magnificent river valley thick with rainforest. No tour guide is needed, as points of interest are well-signposted alongside the road with parking areas and interpretation panels to read. Walk across historic bridges, visit the picturesque riverside picnic stops and stop by the quaint village of Matawai.

A must-do in Opotiki, the Motu Trails are three exciting bike trails which can be tackled separately or looped together. The Dunes Trail is an easy-going 10km trail running alongside Hukuwai Beach. The Motu Road Trail is an intermediate 78km trail delving into the heartland of the Bay of Plenty. The Pakihi Track is an […]

State Highway 35 – The Opotiki, Eastern Bay of Plenty, East Cape to Gisborne road was one of the lesser known roads of New Zealand as in past years it had earned the reputation of being a dusty nightmare. This is no longer true as it has been almost completely re-aligned and is fully sealed, […]