Sea swimming in Opotiki can be a bit wild for kids. The Waioeka River can provide a good alternative and there’s no salt or sand to wash off after you’ve finished! At the boat ramp, there’s a slide and two rope swings which both make exciting ways of getting into…
If you’re visiting the Eastern Bay of Plenty in the warmer months, chances are you’ll be spending time in or near water but sometimes you need a break from the sand and sea and this domain, 8km from the centre of Opotiki provides a different activity and some shade. In…
There are lots of bays that are great for swimming in along the Pacific Highway (SH35) east of Opotiki but this particular bay, most commonly known as Schoolhouse Bay has shallow, usually calm water that is great for kids wanting to paddle. The beach area sweeps round giving plenty of…
Bright airy café, popular with locals. There’s a large menu covering breakfast/brunch and lunch options. There’s also a cabinet with lots of savoury and sweet baked goodies – GF, DF and refined sugar free options are all available. Vegetarians are also catered for throughout. There’s a small kids’ menu (crepes,…
If you’re wanting to spend time at a lake near Rotorua, whether it be for a swim, beach time or fishing, Lake Tarawera is a lot quieter than the more famous Lake Tikitapu or Blue Lake. One of the largest lakes in the area, it is surprisingly uncommercial – if…
If you’ve never walked up high among trees, this is a great activity. It is a big outlay for an activity that might not take very long but it’s quite a unique experience. 20 metres up, the walkway is made up of 28 bridges, suspended between 22 majestic Redwoods. Look…
This is so much more than just a maze! Yes there is a maze here – it’s a hedge one that you navigate your way into the centre of and then either backtrack your way out of or use the oneway doors to go back out quickly. This can take…
This is the largest swimming pool complex in the area and if you can’t get out to the beach for any reason, it makes a good alternative. There’s a lap pool, leisure pool with waves, toddlers’ pool with waterfall feature and a beach area. There’s also a hydroslide, although it…
These hot pools come highly recommended by lots of families. Unlike some other hot pool complexes in the country, the ones at Waikite aren’t treated with chemicals and come directly from the naturally boiling spring, with the only ‘treatment’ being that the water is cooled before it enters the pools.…
If you want to see the usual features of Geothermal activity that they have in the thermal parks in Rotorua but you can’t make it there or just want to avoid the throngs of tourists, consider going here instead. Situated on the artificial lake Ohakuri, created for hydro power, a…
