//
Town in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Photo: Ulrich Lange, Dunedin, New Zealand, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Opotiki is a small coastal town in the eastern Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. It is the starting point for State Highway 35, which follows much of the coastline of the East Cape and terminates in Gisborne.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Held every December, usually on the 28th, attracting cowboys, cowgirls and families from all over New Zealand.
Patrolled 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.
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
A well maintained 18 hole, 70 par course. Basic equipment hire available.
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 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.
Assorted accommodation and camping in a native bush reserve 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, 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 close including www.themotutrails.co.nz. Swim in clear unpolluted pools of mixed depths. 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. Check out the glow worm just up the track.
The only large supermarket operating in Opotiki. Stock up on supplies here before heading around the isolated East Cape.
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.
By plane
The nearest airport with scheduled passenger flights is at Whakatane. Rental cars are available at the airport.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Whakatāne · Regional · WHK
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Opotiki and New Zealand.
Travel tipsCompare and apply for the Australia ETA and New Zealand NZeTA in 2026. Step-by-step mobile app guides, fees, the IVL levy, and trans-Tasman rules.
7 min read
InspirationThe best places to visit in January for winter sun, deep powder snow and wildlife, comparing Niseko, Sri Lanka, Tromsø and New Zealand.
7 min read
Travel tipsFive of the best countries for solo female travellers, featuring safe night streets, easy public transit, and essential neighbourhood safety tips.
6 min read
Culture & historyExplore famous movie and tv filming locations around the world, from King's Landing in Dubrovnik to the Hogwarts viaduct in Scotland.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.