February 2024 - Bay of Plenty Business News

22 BAY OF PLENTY BUSINESS NEWS February 2024
Pedalling
paradise in
the Bay
Waitekohekohe recreational park
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There’s still plenty of summer left to enjoy a
beautiful bike ride in the Bay of Plenty.
Whether you’re an e-bike
cruiser, lycra-clad fitness
junkie, wrangling
a biker gang of kids, or only in it
for the coffee at the end – there’s
a bike ride for you this summer.
Western Bay’s bike trails have
gone from strength to strength
and rival those in the best of
Aotearoa New Zealand’s biking
hot-spots.
Here are a few of our top cycle
trails for your whānau to ride this
summer.
Ōmokoroa to
Tauranga
Harbourside board walks, sea
views at every turn and a great
playground and swimming spot
at the end – this 19km bike ride
from Ōmokoroa to Tauranga certainly
packs a punch.
The track is made up of both
new and existing off-road shared
paths and local road connections.
It’s a popular one, so get ready to
say ‘kia ora’ to other holidaymakers
along the way.
If you’re not keen to ride the
whole thing, there are plenty of
shorter options. You may like to
take a cruisy ride from Plummers
Point to Ōmokoroa and back. Stop
in at Hūhārua Park, which has
recently received a Green Flag
Award – one of just 26 parks in
New Zealand. The Ongarahu Pa
site by the main car park at Plummers
Point is truly serene and has
a stunning view over the harbour
– the perfect place to relax after
all that pedal power.
After riding along boardwalks
and checking out the lovely
homes you’ll reach the beautiful
seaside town of Ōmokoroa. There
you’ll find a superb destination
playground, café, restaurant,
dairy for ice blocks and the boat
club for lunch by the water. Of
course, it’s the perfect place for a
dip in the ocean too, so be sure to
pack your togs!
Katikati
If you’ve got a tribe of tamariki,
plus Grandma and Grandpa on
their e-bikes, the leisurely cycle
trails in Katikati will hit the sweet
spot for a whānau outing.
These family friendly rides
will give you the chance to enjoy
the art, birdlife, orchards, and
water that this historic town is
known for.
There are several short rides
to choose from. One of the prettiest
is the path from the river to
the harbour, which has recently
been upgraded. You can picnic
in Haiku Park and check out the
great art installations at the same
time, or treat yourself to kai at
one of the many cafés on the main
street.
Waitekohekohe
recreational park
If mountain biking is your thing,
the Waitekohekohe recreational
park on the outskirts of Katikati
will be your summer biking
paradise.
The park’s name is apt as it
was gifted by the local hāpu, Ngāi
Tamawhariua, and refers to spiritual
waters and a sense of yearning
and climbing.
There are so many options in
this 88 hectare park, with a series
of short forest tracks for mountain
bikers of all abilities. After
racing through the trails, there’s
a fabulous swimming hole to cool
off in too – got to love that!
Waihī Beach
For one of the flattest rides in
the District, you can’t go past
the cycle trails in the beachside
town of Waihī Beach and Bowentown.
Here you can enjoy the
best of both worlds, as you cruise
alongside the surf beach and also
meander inland past the Athenree
estuary.
This 9km trail is a great ride
for the whole whānau to enjoy.
There are loads of places to stop
and refuel, with cafés, playgrounds,
reserves and even some
opportunities for retail therapy in
the heart of the township.
Most of the trail is flat, but the
view from the top of the eastern
most point, above Cave Bay, is
ample reward for the extra effort
it takes to cycle there.
Pāpāmoa to
Paengaroa
For those feeling a bit adventurous:
why not peddle the 20km
(one way) cycle trail from Pāpāmoa
to Paengaroa? This safe and
flat route goes inland alongside
Ōmokoroa cycleway
Bowentown boardwalk
the Tauranga Eastern Link.
The highway’s banks are
planted with beautiful native
trees and the Kaituna River
bridge features a stunning set of
pouwhenua (carved Māori land
markers).
At Paengaroa, you can’t go past
the fabulous Trading Post Italian
bistro for lunch, where the lasagna
and caramello tart are musthaves
to help fuel you for the ride
back. Or, stop in at the shop at
the renowned Comvita factory
for some delicious honey for your
summer recipes.
Kaikōkopu Trail
For a great day trip and a good leg
workout, get amongst the 61km
ride (return) on the Kaikopoku
Trail from Paengaroa to Okere
Falls. This wonderful country ride
with plenty of ups and downs has
re-opened after the wet weather
in early 2023.
It’s got a bit of everything as
you’ll cruise through kiwifruit
orchards, native bush, dairy and
sheep farms, and enjoy lake and
sea views. Once you reach the
fast-flowing Okere Falls, you
may want to get a dose of adrenalin
with whitewater rafting or
kayaking.
For a shorter ride, park at the
end of Ridge Rd and cruise the
12km to Okere Falls.
When biking this summer
it’s important that you
share the trails with care.
Here are a few tips for
safe and happy riding this
summer:
Remember you’re sharing
the cycle trail with other
people, including those on
scooters and skateboards,
as well as walkers, runners,
and dogs.
• Be nice, be safe, be seen
– be your best biking
self.
• If you’re on an e-bike, be
mindful of your speed
especially when you’re
passing others.
• Keep to the left of the
path and ring your bell
and call out in a friendly
way when you’re passing
someone.
Pāpāmoa to Maketu
If you love a good pie, then the
11km ride from Bell Road (beside
the Kaituna River) or 13km from
Pāpāmoa to Maketu is the one for
you!
It’s a bit more intrepid than
some of the other cycle trails in
the Western Bay, as it’s mostly
along back country roads, with a
dedicated cycle trail just for the
last leg along the Maketu Estuary.
Once in Maketu you can
refresh with a dip in the ocean
and recharge with one of the
famously delicious Maketu pies –
there’s everything from lamb and
mint and mince and cheese to
mussel, butter chicken and apple
pies.
Te Ara Kahikatea
Pathway – Te Puke
Kids will love this flat 4km trail
that makes for a relaxed whānau
ride. Pedal through wetlands and
alongside the Waiari Stream on
the eastern outskirts of Te Puke.
The loop pathway goes through
Jubilee Park before meandering
through rural paddocks. If you’re
lucky you might spot some farm
animals.
You’ll also cycle over and
under bridges and past Te Puke’s
oldest cemetery. Plus, dog lovers
will be able to stop in at the new
dog exercise area as you ride past
Lawrence Oliver Park.
To find out more about all these superb rides, head to westernbay.govt.nz/recreation/cycleways/ or check out bayofplentynz.com/experiences/cycle-trails/western-bay/