Walking

The Eastern Bay of Plenty offers a range of walking tracks for every level of fitness. If you are looking for an easy 30 minute walk or a tramping/hiking trip spanning several days, you’re in luck because they are all here.

Visit the Department of Conservation website for a list and description of walks in the area. Here are some of the most popular.

Nga Tapuwae o Toi Walkway tracks
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. The Kohi Point section of the walk features on AA Travel’s "101 Must Do Weekends".

Whirinaki Forest Park
Starting from Murupara you will find a range of walking tracks for every level of fitness and mobility. Hunters and Mountain Bikers are also welcome in this forest park.

Te Urewera National Park
Te Urewera National Park is rugged, isolated and renowned for its beautiful lakes and forests. As well as the Lake Waikaremoana track (a 3-4 day tramp), one of New Zealand's Great Walks, shorter walks, hunting and fishing are also possible.

Tarawera Falls Walk
Accessible from Kawerau, this short 20 minute walk (one-way) is to the Tarawera Falls. These are the most spectacular falls in the Bay of Plenty. The Tarawera River plunges 65 metres down a sheer cliff before tumbling down bush-lined rapids. The Tarawera River bed around the falls is carved into ancient volcanic rocks and the high cliffs are thought to be the eroded end face of an ancient lava flow that poured from Mt. Tarawera about 11,000 years ago.