Opotiki

By car

Opotiki is 30 minutes drive east from Whakatane, which is the best bet for car hire.

By bus

Intercity Coachlines stops outside Hot Bread Shop illy Cafe, 43 St Johns St. Daily services are: Auckland via Whakatane, Rotorua and Hamilton 10:30am; Gisborne via Matawai 4:45pm.
BayBus. Probably the cheapest way to get around the Bay of Plenty.
Services may change so check websites for more details.

By plane

The nearest airport with scheduled passenger flights is at Whakatane. Rental cars are available at the airport.

All car parking is free.

• Fibre and Fleece Fashion Show

  address: De Luxe Theatre, Church St

• Opotiki Rodeo

  address: War Memorial Park grounds
  Held every December, usually on the 28th, attracting cowboys, cowgirls and families from all over New Zealand.

• Waiotahi BeachPatrolled by lifeguards in summer and is a great place to swim, fish or relax. Every New Years Day (1 January) there is a beach sculpture competition. $5 per team, register by 9:30am. See the Opotiki information centre website for further event details.

• Fishing

• Horse Trek

  address: end TeWaiti stream road, Urutawa Forest, Opotiki
  4-6 hours treks up the pristine TeWaiti stream to the TeWaiti hut. Advance bookings only. http://www.bushaven.co.nz/bushaven/Horse_Trekking.html

• Hiking

• Opotiki Golf Club

  address: 4 Fromow Rd, Hospital Hill
  A well maintained 18 hole, 70 par course. Basic equipment hire available.

• Motu River Jet Boat Tours

• Hukutaia Domain

  address: Woodlands Rd
  4.5 hectares of ancient native forest that is full of birdlife. There are several short tracks all of which will take you past Taketakerau - a giant puriri tree that was used by a local Maori tribe as a burial tree. This magnificent tree is estimated to be over 2000 years old.

• Motu Trail Cycleway

  phone: +64 21 56 46 65
  Motu Trails is one of the 23 Great Rides on the New Zealand Cycle Trail (Nga Haerenga). It offers diverse cycling on unsealed road and trails, between Matawai and Opotiki. The Cycleway has three options: the Dunes Trail near Opotiki is easy riding suitable for families; the Motu Road is an historic unsealed road that's technically easy but pretty hilly; the Pakihi track is a remote wilderness trail. Over 10,000 people per year ride the Dunes Trail, and close to 3000 ride the Pakihi Track.

• Opotiki New World

  address: 19 Bridge St
  The only large supermarket operating in Opotiki. Stock up on supplies here before heading around the isolated East Cape.

Opotiki has several fast food outlets, mainly Chinese takeaways. For good Kiwi food visit one of the fish and chips stores in the town.

• Bushaven

  address: end TeWaiti stream road, Urutawa Forest, Opotiki
  Comfortable assorted accommodation and camping right in a native bush reserve. Set in native bush within the Urutawa Scenic Reserve alongside the pristine TeWaiti stream yet only 20 min. from sunny Opotiki or 30 min. to the beach. A range of accommodation including a five bedroom house, Love shack, bunkhouse, small baches and a small campground with full utilities. All have decks and use of BBQs. Several walking, tramping and mountain biking tracks are very close by including www.themotutrails.co.nz. Swim in clear unpolluted pools of mixed depths (you choose) we have hundreds. Take a gentle stroll up the TeWaiti track or branch off to a side track for a bit of a challenge, also great for mountain bikes. Sit back in the evening, enjoy a drink and BBQ while listing to the native birds. Take one of our guided tours for something real special. Check out the glow worm just up the track. Maybe you just come and do nothing, that can be great as well.

• Opotiki Information Centre

  address: 70 Bridge St
  Also the home of the local Department of Conservation office.

• The drive to Gisborne around the East Cape on State Highway 35 features spectacular ocean views and remote settlements. Allow 8 hours on the road. Then return to Opotiki on State Highway 2 via Matawai and the Waioeka Gorge. Allow 11–12 hours on the road for the round trip.