Chasing Rainbows

If you’re looking to cool off and don’t mind taking a beautiful drive down the Matatā straights,
then a swim in the Braemar Springs is a must. I only just discovered this amazing swimming spot nestled in the back blocks of Matatā. It has to have the clearest water in the entire Bay of Plenty,
I reckon. A natural spring literally bubbling up from the deep. Definitely worth packing a lunch
and checking it out.‍

Caleb Walsh, Cab Creative

‍

‍A shady forest is always an appealing way to take refuge from the sun. Just 30-minutes drive
from Tauranga, Kaiate Falls Walk is a gorgeous bush track with water cascading down a series
of waterfalls, culminating in the large lower falls, where you can take a dip. The walk takes
about 45 minutes to an hour and although you need to take care in parts, it is manageable
with young children.

Sarah Nicholson, Editor, Our Place

‍

‍My favourite summer spot is Orokawa Bay. Follow the track at the northern end of Waihī beach
— it’s a beautiful walk that hugs the coastline, through native bush, skirting the coastal headlands before descending into Orokawa Bay. The perfect beach is shaded by gigantic pōhutukawa trees. This is my morning ritual when staying at Waihī Beach — if you rise early enough, you can leave the first footprints of the day on the beach. A magnificent start to the day.‍

James Wilson, Manager: Arts & Culture, Tauranga City Council

‍

‍There is accommodation at Redwood Valley Farm in Paengaroa, but most of the activities there are free to explore with a koha donation. My partner and I went last summer and felt like big kids again. There are loads of things to do (see the website), including floating down the stream on a tube, feeding the chickens and pigs, a waterslide, glow worms at night, picnicking, lots of native bird spotting and bush walks — the lot! Also, I love going to Okere Falls Store for a fresh Brezel (served
with brie and salted butter — so addictive!) and a coffee or craft beer, followed by the Okere Falls bush walk, where you can watch the adrenaline junkies whitewater rafting.

Lisa Rooney, Blabla Events

‍

A place that I always look forward to going to in summer is the top of Mount Drury. It only takes a couple of minutes to walk up and it has a well-sized bench with a table for food and the prettiest view.‍

Sophie Maude, musician

‍

One of the best places to be in the height of summer is Te Puna Quarry Park, wandering through
the lush native bush (regenerating beautifully thanks to the Park Society), and enjoying the sculptures, pottery and outdoor art. The park also hosts fantastic events (the outdoor amphitheatre
is perfect for concerts), so I keep up to date with those on the website. Shout out to Shane Walker for his wicked park mural, too.‍

Rose Treadwell, Creative Bay of Plenty

‍

A favourite hidden gem is the Summerhill Estate Golf Course in Pāpāmoa; it’s 9-hole course that welcomes all and it has the most amazing views! I can thoroughly recommend. My other spot is
the Matatā Campsite, 40-minutes drive from Tauranga. Find a site directly on the beach, then
make yourself one of the most scenic dinners you can have.

Perry Farrell, Red Hearing events

‍

When you want to walk up a hill without the Mount crowds, the best local walk or run is at Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park. The main track takes about 45 minutes to walk up and there are also various smaller tracks. I love taking the farm track, which is a little bit longer and winds through farmland. The summit is a great spot for a picnic as it has sweeping views of the Bay of Plenty coastline.‍

Tash Meys, Tastefully Studios 

‍

A swim at Pori Pori waterhole — the river water is always fresh and nice. ‍

Brian Kim, Rika Rika Sushi

‍

Beautiful Maketu Beach is just 20-minutes drive from the Mount. The rocky coastline is draped
with clay cliffs that you can see all the way from Pāpāmoa Beach. ‍

Basti Todd, Event Manager, Little Big Events

‍

Waihī’s Homunga Bay is stunning — last time I was there I had perfect body surfing waves,
then rinsed off in a waterfall. Leave from the car park and it’s an hour each way along farmland
that overlooks the ocean. For an indoor activity, The Pottery Studio in Tauranga runs a wine and pottery night. Every time I have a visitor, I book a class, bring along a bottle of rosé and we attempt
to make mugs.

Maddie Banks, Social Media Manager, Our Place 

‍

One of my favourite escapes is grabbing a coffee from Okere Falls Store, then heading to Otaramarae Bay at Lake Rotoiti to sit, relax and maybe take a dip. There’s a spot that has a playground where you can watch the boats launch, which is great for a picnic. ‍

Darcell Apelu, artist, teacher & woodchopper

‍

The Manupirua Hot Pools, on the shores of Lake Rotoiti in Rotorua — you can only get there by
boat, which keeps this haven unspoilt. There are a few natural mineral pools that vary in
temperature. It’s the ultimate relaxing experience.‍

Millie Guest, Social Media Manager, Our Place

‍