East Coast Bay of Plenty highlights
Lake Rotomahana, Waimangu Scenic
Reserve
The East Coast Bay of Plenty region is enormously varied in terms of topography, climate, vegetation and wildlife. Te Urewera National Park, and Whirinaki, Kamai-Mamaku and Raukumara forest parks and other protected public lands are within this region.
The Rotorua Lakes area encompasses 13 major lakes and a variety of geothermal areas and scenic reserves.
Conservation work being carried out protects the New Zealand dotterel, shore plover and kōkako amongst others, and plant recovery work includes dactylanthus and kōwhai ngutukākā, kākā beak and the native mistletoe.
Historic sites include the Tauranga and Manganuku Bridges (Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve) and the Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve.
There is a variety of recreational opportunities ranging from half hour graded walks to week-long tramps through remote and untracked areas, rafting, fishing and hunting. Tuhua (Mayor Island), Te Paepae o Aotea (Volkner Rocks) and Te Tapuwae o Rongokako marine reserves provide an opportunity to see and appreciate a protected marine environment.