Eastern Bay of Plenty
Eastern
Bay of Plenty is an area steeped in Maori culture and heritage, and there are many pa sites along the coast dating back to early Maori settlements. Stretching from the small seaside town of
Matata through the coastal communities of
Whakatane,
Ohope, and
Opotiki, the Eastern
Bay of Plenty is home to some of the country’s most unspoiled coastline. Opotiki, known as ‘The Tourist Diamond of the Pacific’, makes a good base for exploring Eastern
Bay of Plenty, with its lovely beaches, well-stocked lakes and rivers for fishing, and native bush for hunting.
At the edge of a picturesque harbour, Whakatane is the main centre of Eastern
Bay of Plenty. Offshore, the smouldering volcano of White Island (Whakaari) is New Zealand’s only marine volcano, and local operators will take you on a
guided tour to view the volcano’s steaming vents and the old sulphur mine. You can also enjoy dolphin watching and deep-sea fishing, or head over the hills to Ohope, where the long sandy beach has surfcasting, surfing and a delightful coastal walkway. Inland, the
hot springs at Awakeri are perfect for a long, hot soak, or visit the rural township of
Kawerau and enjoy a horseride or bushwalk.
