Best rivers & swimming holes BOP in New Zealand

"The 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."

"You’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."

"These picturesque swimming holes are about half hour walk in from Aongatete Lodge in the Kamai Ranges at the end of Wright Road near Katikati. After waking for 15 minutes take the left track down to some beautiful spots and swimming holes. Park in the carpark before the lodge so you don’t get locked in."

"There’s nothing like swimming in the serenity of a bush clad pool after clear cool fresh water has tumbled over rocks and there are several good spots on this river. The single lane gravel road has a steep drop off in places until it opens up to farmland so be careful and parking spaces are limited in the gorge."

"These 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."