Whether you’re after a bush walk amongst totara and tui, a coastal trail or a beach hīkoi, the Western Bay’s got it all.

Summer is the perfect time to stretch the legs, take in some nature, or work off the Christmas pavlova, while enjoying the hundreds of walking trails on offer.

Here are a few of our top picks for the whole whānau to enjoy:

Waihī Beach – Bowentown Domain

For a coastal walk with a difference you can’t go past the stunning trail from Anzac Bay to Shelley Bay at the Bowentown end of Waihī Beach.

It’s got everything from amazing harbour views and pohutukawa in flower, to a popular fishing spot and safe swimming areas.

This coastal hīkoi is a favourite for families, given its versatility. Choose from a 30-minute short loop directly to Shelley Bay, or a 75-minute loop to the headland via Shelley Bay.

Stunning views of the upper harbour, Kaimai Ranges and the ocean coastline are your reward when you walk these tracks.

And Shelley Bay is the perfect spot to set up camp for the day as it’s a sheltered swimming spot for your tamariki and rangatahi. Another option is to take the 75-minute round trip from Anzac Bay to the Te Ho Pā site, where you’ll be greeted by phenomenal views over the mouth of the harbour.

Ōmokoroa

If you’re hanging out in or around the Ōmokoroa Peninsula this summer, you’ll be spoilt for choice for coastal walks. The Ōmokroa to Tauranga walkway and cycleway stretches 19km and while you may not wish to walk the whole thing (that’s nearly a half marathon!), you can do smaller sections.

It’s a good option if you’ve got babies and toddlers in tow, as it’s mostly pram friendly. It’s also a shared trail for walkers and cyclists, so be sure to share the trail with care.

This scenic route has fantastic views of the Tauranga Harbour, around estuaries, through wetlands, and across bridges and boardwalks.

Make sure you keep an eye out to spot local bird life, especially in the wetland areas. One superb section of the trail is from Hūhārua Park, at the end of Plummers Point Road in Te Puna, to Ōmokoroa and back.

This much-loved park has recently received a Green Flag Award – one of just 26 parks in New Zealand.

Tangata Whenua Pirirākau hapū of Ngāti Ranginui iwi played a major role in the development of Hūhārua Park. Walk through the carved waharoa (entrance way) and across the bridge to reach the Ongārahu Pā – a peaceful spot and one of the most well-preserved fortifications in Aotearoa. 

There are also several walking tracks around the Ōmokoroa Peninsula.

The most popular is a 40-minute walk around the tip of the Peninsula that includes the Gerald Crapp Historic Reserve and has stunning views across Tauranga Harbour.

Te Puna Quarry Park

If butterflies, beautiful plants and outdoor art is your thing, then you’ll love the wilderness walks in Te Puna Quarry Park.

Hidden in the hillside just north of Te Puna, the popular park is lovingly cared for by a group of passionate volunteers.

Covering about 32 hectares, it has many walking tracks – take your pick from waterways, native and exotic gardens, garden art features and picnic areas.

From the higher climbs you’ll enjoy stunning views across to the Coromandel Ranges and the eastern Bay of Plenty. The walking tracks are easy for the moderately fit, plus your dog is welcome on its lead.

Whakamarama – Puketoki Scenic Reserve

When the summer heat is getting too hot to handle, the Puketoki Scenic Reserve is the place for you to go. It’s a stunning shady walking track through native bush, complete with a swimming spot.

Puketoki, just a short drive from Tauranga, is one of the oldest reserves in the Western Bay of Plenty and has been beautifully maintained. For a short, chilled walk you can do the 20-minute loop track, or get a few more steps in with the one hour loop walk.

Whichever you choose you’ll be surrounded by virgin native bush and stunning bird life. Best of all the Te Puna Stream, which runs past the picnic spot, provides a safe, shallow spot to cool off. Be sure to pack your togs!

Kaimai Range - Aongatete

For waterfalls, waterholes and wonderful native bush, take the whānau to the Aongatete area in the renowned Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park.

Located at the end of Wright Road, just south of Katikati, the walks at Aongatete take you through puriri and kohekohe forest along the Aongatete Stream.

One of the tracks provides access to the North South Track which runs along almost the whole length of the stunning Kaimai Range. The other tracks take you through regenerating native forest and to a popular swimming hole in a local stream.

Walks range from 15 minutes to three and a half hours. And you needn’t work up too much of a sweat before taking a dip, as the track to the swimming hole is just half an hour – wahoo!

TECT Park

Your whānau will love the walking trails at the adventure playground of TECT Park, which has just won a prestigious Green Flag Award.

Located on SH36 halfway between Tauranga and Rotorua, the 1650-hectare park is a renowned day-trip destination.

The most popular walk is the Terenga Trail, which takes one and a half to two hours. This 3.2km medium-grade loop track winds through an old pine forest and the bush-clad gully of the Te Rerenga Stream.

But the real crowd pleaser is walking through a 60-metre tunnel that was dug in 1931/32. If you’re lucky (or unlucky?) you’ll spot glowworms on the tunnel roof and cave weta in the crevices and holes. Be sure to bring a torch!

And, if some of your whānau aren’t keen to walk – don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. They can check out TECT Park’s mountain bike trails, motorcycle tracks, or the Adrenalin Forest high-wire course. To find out more about what’s on offer check-out the TECT Park website.

Pukehina

For a wind-in-your-hair wild beach walk get yourself to Pukehina in the south of the Western Bay.

The distinctive feature of Pukehina is its 10km peninsula, with a sheltered estuary on one side and sandy beach on the other.

With its open spaces and rolling waves, a hīkoi along the beautiful surf beach will blow out any last post Christmas cobwebs.

There are loads of access ways onto the beach so you can take your pick. And if you fancy a swim to cool off after pacing it out, or strolling along, head to one of the areas patrolled by surf lifeguards during summer.

To find out more about these superb summer walks and other tracks and trails check out: https://www.westernbay.govt.nz/recreation/walking-tracks-and-trails https://www.bayofplentynz.com/experiences/outdoor-adventures/tracks-and-trails/