Top 10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Opotiki, North Island

March 23, 2022 Christa Meece

Opotiki /ɔːpɔːˈtɪki/ (Māori: Ōpōtiki) is a small town in the eastern Bay of Plenty in the North Island of New Zealand. It houses the headquarters of the Opotiki District Council and comes under the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
Restaurants in Opotiki

1. Motu Trails - Day Adventures

138 St John Street, Opotiki 3122 New Zealand +64 7-315 5864 [email protected] http://www.motucycletrails.com
Excellent
88%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 24 reviews

Motu Trails - Day Adventures

We offer bike hire, shuttle service and budget accommodation alongside the Motu Trails one of NZCT's. Suitable for all ages hire a bike and ride the Dunes Trail. This 22klm return ride hugs the Pacific Ocean with views of the East Cape and beyond. For the more adventurous hire a MTB, take the shuttle and ride 2 hrs downhill through the bush clad Pakihi Track.

Reviewed By daharpers - Rotorua, New Zealand

We booked a shuttle with Ngaio from Motu Trails Ltd with short notice and she was very accommodating. The van was a nice modern unit and we had a good trip up to the start. The Pakihi Trail is downhill for most of the way and the scenery was spectacular. What a great day out!

2. Waiotahe Beach

Waiotahi Beach Road, Opotiki New Zealand +64 7-315 4741 http://www.islandviewholiday.co.nz
Excellent
81%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 62 reviews

Waiotahe Beach

Reviewed By Timtimwils81 - New Zealand, null

Very nice beach to swim at, very safe. Lifeguards were also on the beach every Sunday from Nov - Feb.

3. Motu Trails

Pakowhai ki Otutaopuku Bridge, Opotiki New Zealand [email protected] http://www.motutrails.co.nz
Excellent
77%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 31 reviews

Motu Trails

The Dunes Trail is part of the Motu Trails Cycleway. It's a shared-use (bike, walk, run) trail that undulates 10km along the Pacific coast east of Opotiki. The riding is easy, the views sensational. Cruise just a few kilometres, or ride on to the Motu Road and Pakihi Track.

Reviewed By R298YWpetert

Well worth the effort if you are half fit and love back country bush and scenery. Started at Opotiki and rode Dunes trail then Motu road. Tougher first climb to Meremere Hilltop but pretty reasonable after that. Motu Village cafe well worth the visit - great service and home baking. The motu falls are nice but not spectacular. stayed at camp ground in Matawai in one room cabin - just fine for bikers!

4. Motu Road

Old Coach Road, Opotiki New Zealand +64 7-315 3031 http://www.motutrails.co.nz
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 34 reviews

Motu Road

Reviewed By 874julie - Christchurch, New Zealand

We biked from near Motu back to Opotiki, staying overnight on 2-day cycle and stay packaged at Toatoa Farm. It was fantastic, from the wonderful shuttle ride with Maxine, to the trail Itself-misty, dense bush, and to Bob's no-nonsense humour. I highly recommend both the Trail, and the wonderful Toatoa Farmstay!

5. Opotiki District Museum

123 Church Street, Opotiki New Zealand +64 7-315 5193 [email protected]
Excellent
40%
Good
60%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 25 reviews

Opotiki District Museum

Reviewed By Tawhitokino

Opotiki museum is a brilliant provincial asset, with high quality and extensive displays covering a wide range of local history. Without doubt the highlight is the roadside shops with a large quantity of original contents from many time periods and a brilliant record of how things were done before computers arrived - a fabulous and sometimes overwhelming insight into a bygone era.

6. Motu Trails

Bridge Street, 70, Opotiki New Zealand http://www.themotutrails.co.nz/explore-the-trails/
Excellent
62%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 39 reviews

Motu Trails

Reviewed By Tess041 - Tauranga, New Zealand

We did the 18km return bike trip to Waiaua along the ocean (kids 10 & 12 and all on normal bikes, not ebikes). What a truly beautiful track, such a stunning part of the country and beach & surf the whole way along. Good track, nice board paths, up and down but nothing too strenuous. Lots of places to stop. Only grumble would be those blasted bikestops you have to go through as have to keep getting off your bike, pity there isn’t another way to keep the horses/motorbikes out. Would definitely do this trail again, and easy drive from Ohope where we were staying. Loved the bridge too. Would thoroughly recommend.

7. Hukutaia Domain

Woodlands Road, Opotiki New Zealand
Excellent
69%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 48 reviews

Hukutaia Domain

The Hukutaia Domain ranks as one of Opotiki's main attractions. It is a 5 hectare remnant of extensive native forest that was set aside as a reserve by one of the original owners Mr E.M Hutchinson in the early 1900's. Mr Norman Potts was instrumental in developing the reserve with walking tracks and touring all over New Zealand (plus outlying islands) gathering rare and endangered plants some of which now form a very valuable botanical collection. Mr Marc Heginbotham followed on with Mr Potts work. Of particular interest is the 2000/5000 year old giant Puriri tree. Being hollow the tree was used as a resting place for the bones of Distinguished Dead of the Upokorehe. The tree named Taketakerau was highly Tapu. Local resident Marnie Anstis has written a book entitled the Millennium Tree which is based on the life of Taketakerau. The Domain is owned by the Opotiki District Council. A Care Group looks after the Domain by way of maintenance, pest control and development with generous help from the Council and Environment Bay of Plenty. Brochures, information sheets and notices about various topics are available in the Domain. There is no charge to visit the Domain. To get to the Domain turn left immediately on leaving the Waioeka bridge (heading west) on to Woodlands Road and drive about 7 kilometers to very near the end where you will find the Domain sign. The Domain is looked after by the Hukutaia Domain 'CARE GROUP' a small group of volunteer locals with a keen interest in the welfare of the Domain. Work includes track maintenance and improvement, pest control, signs, information and data.

Reviewed By ChrissieMurray - Morayfield, Australia

Hukutaia domain is significant on so many levels. The details have been shared in the other reviews. I love this place - I grew up visiting this domain often. The latest activity is painted rocks.People hide them and it becomes an activity to find them and re-hide. As long as everybody involved in this activity obeys the rules: use a sealant on the painted rocks to prevent paint leaching, do not hide rocks off track to avoid people damaging plants and roots - then it becomes a good reason for more people and families to enjoy this beautiful domain, to take their time to look around and observe this wonder. So if you wonder what all those colourful rocks are - just leave them for the kiddies to find if you are not participating in the activity.

8. Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve

State Highway 2, Opotiki New Zealand http://www.newzealand.com/sg/feature/waioeka-gorge-scenic-reserve/
Excellent
61%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve

Reviewed By BrendaMatamata_N_Z

This piece of road has always been one of our favourites but recently after a long time we were lucky enough to be able to travel through here from Gisborne to Opotiki, once again. A gently windy road, following a beautiful river with every b end seeminly like a painting scene ahead of you. So very , very pretty that it doesn't seem to take long at all. No cafe's etc going through but there are cafes before and after it . Photographers will want their cameras handy and be prepared for lots of stops as you view the stunning scenes, of river, bush, waterfalls and cliffs.

9. Christ Church Raukokore

9948 Pacific Coast Highway Waihau Bay, Opotiki 3199 New Zealand +64 7-315 3031 http://www.heritage.org.nz/the-list/details/3471
Excellent
55%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 53 reviews

Christ Church Raukokore

Reviewed By 290carstenf - Munich, Germany

You know you are on the right track when you see the church coming up. It's beautiful location takes your breath away. Go there, stay for a while and walk around. And when you're at a distance, look back and take some pictures.

10. Motu River Jet Boat

Excellent
97%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 32 reviews

Motu River Jet Boat

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