Pippa B.'s
New openings Bay of Plenty
- 11BluebiyouPapamoaHe promised and he delivered. New owner and seasoned restaurateur Luigi planned to revamp this Papamoa icon, with its stunning beachfront location and relaxed vibe, into a modern café, restaurant and function centre. He’s now done it, successfully turning it back into a Papamoa dining option. As the locals are saying – Bluebiyou, it’s nice to have back.
- 22Pap HousePapamoa BeachPapamoa East has a new local and its family-friendly for early diners. The typical kiwi beach pub bar/restaurant is a craft beer Mount Brew house and has a good selection of food – they do a good steak, ribs, Sunday roast and have a variety of smaller plates including fish tacos. Great news for locals is the courtesy van.
- 31I love the way Vivienne at Adopt has taken her women's recycled clothing store up a level. Clothing takes second stage to an eclectic collection of furniture and bric a brac. It's a little bit French, a slice of country and a lot of cool retro 20s and 30s. Check out the two boar heads.
- 41The Burnt FigBethlehemA recently opened friendly Bethlehem neighbourhood café with a modern yellow and black theme and not far from the Gordon Carmichael Reserve cycle/walkway. Delicious breakfast and lunch menu as well as counter food.
- 51Henry & TedPapamoa BeachStylish and sophisticated restaurant/café which heads up the new business block in Golden Sands, Papamoa East. Not only does this funky place do some amazingly healthy and awesome food Henry & Ted conveniently stay open for dinner and have a liquor licence. Definitely recommend its relaxed friendly vibe.
Pippa B.'s
Best classic kiwi pubs BOP
- 11Molly O’ConnorsTe PukeThis is a great country pub, family-owned and some good ‘ole Irish hospitality with an extensive menu and something for everyone, without being overwhelming. There’s a choice of seafood and dietary needs are catered for. Even Molly’s Mini Meals, for the under twelves have been thought out. Pizza, burgers, hot dogs, chicken nuggets, fish bites or for the sophisticated a seafood basket.
- 22Pap HousePapamoa BeachPapamoa East has a new local and its family-friendly for early diners. The typical kiwi beach pub bar/restaurant is a craft beer Mount Brew house and has a good selection of food – they do a good steak, ribs, Sunday roast and have a variety of smaller plates including fish tacos. Great news for locals is the courtesy van.
- 32The Landing Restaurant & BarKatikatiThis is a handsome and classic pub which has been serving the Katikati community for more than 100 years. It cooks up some good pub food and restaurant meals. I love to sit in the amazing garden bar under the giant avocado tree.
- 429AstrolabeMt MaunganuiSummer’s up and the heats on. What better place to hang out than at one of The Mount’s best brew bar with its interesting craft beers, great vibe and retro fit-out.
- 512Cornerstone PubTaurangaThis is a lively local in downtown Tauranga. Decked out like an old English pub it’s all on when a live gig hits town. Along with some hearty pub food it hosts popular Sunday sessions.
Pippa B.'s
Beaches & DOC Campgrounds BOP
- 18Papamoa BeachPapamoa BeachThis long stretch of beautiful white sand runs from Mount Maunganui past Papamoa and just begs to be walked on. The local Mount Maunganui landmark rises to the north and turn around and the cliffs past Maketu stretch out in the distance. Whether it’s a wild surf-thumping storm or a calm flat blue sea its magical spirit will capture you. The Papamoa end is mostly protected by extensive sand dunes where apart from a lone surfer, surf-caster or dog walker you can be quite alone.
- 210Mount Main Beach (Ocean Beach)Mount MaunganuiThis is the hot place to be and the coolest to swim in summer. It’s got it all, a breath-taking beach, white sand, surf, rocks, and wonderful walks on our wonderful guardian landmark The Mount, or Mauao, as the Maori named it. There’s also smaller cousin Mount Drury and Leisure Island to explore. And you won’t go hungry with all the eateries available. The area is extremely popular so you’ll never be alone.
- 32Matata CampsiteMatataA great get-a-way down the coast with a standard family-friendly DoC campsite on site adjacent to a beautiful sandy ocean beach with excellent fishing and swimming. It’s adjacent to the Matata wildlife refuge with birds galore.
- 42Ohope BeachOhopeThe best long white sandy beach in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. Most of the time the surf is just right for body boarding. The beach is 11km long, at one end a bush-clad headland and the other the sheltered bird-watching mecca Ohiwa Harbour. An absolute holiday paradise. There’s swimming, diving, fishing, walks and views out to smoking volcano White Island and closer in Whale Island and the East Cape.
- 51Pukehina BeachPukehinaLesser known, but you can beat the crowds at Pukehina Beach. There is a long stretch of white sandy beach, although it isn’t as safe as the more Bay of Plenty beaches for swimming. It’s a bit of a boaties paradise and a good place for windsurfing and kite surfing The estuary behind is tidal. For a friendly relaxed community you can’t beat it.
Pippa B.'s
Beaches & DOC Campgrounds HB/Gisborne
- 12Waikanae BeachGisborne CentralGisborne’s beach is a long and beautiful family-friendly stretch of white sand. It can be a wild walk on a windy day – but all the more exciting – and it’s just a short distance from the town centre and connected by the city beachfront cycle and walkway. It’s free to enjoy and has amazing views across Poverty Bay to Young Nick’s Head.
- 24Waimarama BeachHavelock NorthWho said Hawke’s Bay doesn’t have any great beaches? Waimarama and neighbouring Ocean Beach offer everything a coastal beach should have. Community amenities, fishing, boat launching, surfing, sounds of beach laughter, the squeal of boogie boarders and insitu professional life guards in peak season for safe swimming. As you climb over the last hill and descend into the valley you get a glimpse of the long stretch of white sand, rows of white breakers and the surreal sight of the sand-coloured cliffs of Bare Island in the distance. Around Christmas the crimson blaze of the pohutakawa trees are at their peak.
- 32Mangatutu Hot SpringsNapier SouthIt’s a bit of a drive inland from Napier and you have to cross two fiords, however this small basic campsite in a natural bush setting is a short walk to thermal springs situated in the bush above the Mohaka River. A good base for tramping, trout fishing, swimming and rafting. Toilets are available, water is accessed from the stream but it’s not suitable for campervans.
- 43Mahia PeninsulaMahiaThis is an idyllic place, picture-perfect on a calm day. Some people call it paradise and it’s relatively unknown. There is a camp ground here although it’s mostly holiday home and bach accommodation. Fantastic for the family with white sand beaches on either side, places to snorkel, kayak, fish and frolic.
- 52Wainui BeachWainuiWainui Beach is a stunning long sweep of beach surrounded by protected reserve with heaps of secluded spots for sunbathing and solitude. At the south end is Makori Headland and past Gisborne in the distance Mahia Peninsula. There are magic sunrises and sunsets and it’s renowned for its awesome surf breaks.
Pippa B.'s
Bush Walks & Waterfalls HB/Gisborne
- 11Te Urewera National ParkWairoaTe Urewera National Park and Lake Waikaremoana. tribal lands of the Tuhoe people, are abundant with bush walks and waterfalls, the most famous walk being the four-day Lake Waikaremoana Great Walk. There are a multitude of shorter day walks and closer to the Aniwaniwa Visitor Centre you’ll find the Aniwaniwa Falls and spectacular Papakorito Falls.
- 21Te Ana FallsNapier SouthOnly a 30-minute drive north of Napier you can access both Te Ana Falls and Tangoio Falls from the track. Ten minutes in take the stream track to the 20-metre high Te Ana Falls. It’s a beautiful and serene walk through native bush. Tangoio Falls isn’t far away.
- 31Shine FallsPutorinoAccessed by a shingle road the diverse walk takes you across farmland, under beautiful sandstone bluffs and through lowland forest to the Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve and onto a breath-taking 58-metre waterfall cascading down to a swimmable pool below. It’s well-worth the one and half return journey and while you’re in this idyllic bush-clad spot take advantage of the picnic table to rest and listen to the birdsong. It’s a refreshing change from the Hawke’s Bay barren landscape of brown hills and one of the few places you can truly appreciate what the area once looked like.
- 41Blowhard BushHastings CentralIt’s a bit of a drive out to the ranges on the Napier-Taihape Road but well worth it. The 63-hectacre reserve near Kuripapango was gifted to Forest & Bird by the Lowry family more than 60 years ago so the bird life is abundant. The name Blowhard Bush harks back to the horse-drawn coaches of the past when the hard terrain tested the horses as they struggled to cross the divide. It’s a wonderland of forested weird limestone and interesting geological formations, tomos and caves and tells the story of historic volcanic eruptions.
- 55Morere Hot SpringsMorereIf you’re travelling between Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay stop at Morere Hot Springs. An ancient world of rainforest and nikau palms invite you to explore a magical and mystical 364 hectares of rainforest. To me the best thing of all is at the end of the three-hour walk is being able to sit in a tub of ancient sea water next to a bubbling stream. Absolute serenity.
Pippa B.'s
Bush Walks & Waterfalls BOP
- 11Aongatete TracksKatikatiThe Aongatete area is renown for its Puriri and lowland forest and has bush walks for every level from a 15-minute nature trail to a more difficult 3-hour loop track with several stream crossings. Since there is a pest control programme in place bird life should be quite abundant depending on the time of day.
- 21The walk is beautiful and showcases the Kamai bush and river with a steep climb at the Ngamuwahine end. Start at either the Whakamarama Road end and take the left track to the Ngamuwahine River or where the track climbs up through bush and crosses a river behind the lodge at the end of Ngamuwahine Road. You can leave a car at either end or return the same way, which means a decent day out.
- 31Kaiate FallsWelcome BayThese are spectacular bush-clad falls in Welcome Bay not far from the city. The 50-metre drop cascades into a deep swimming hole, fantastic on a hot day. There’s places to bomb off and a walking track makes the climb to the top more accessible with good views back to Mount Maunganui.
- 42You’ll find this magical place on Mountain Road. Off Oropi Road. Depending how fit you feel there’s a 30-minute Rimu Loop Track or 2-hour walk to the Whataroa Waterfalls. If you want to swim slip into the deep swimming hole beneath the falls. Although you won’t see them during the day the mountain is a great kiwi hangout.
- 51Henderson Tramline Loop TrackTaurangaThe main track starts at Tuakopae Stream Bridge off Old Kamai Road on SH29 for experienced walkers and trampers and joins up with part of the Henderson Tramline. No dogs allowed. If you don’t feel like walking the 9km loop track and fording a few streams just after crossing the clearing at the carpark head for the side track to the bottom of a 5m waterfall and a nice big swimming hole. It’s a beautiful part of the Kamai Ranges.