Bush Walks & Waterfalls BOP in New Zealand

"The 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."

"The 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."

"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."

"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."

"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."