Opotiki is a small coastal town in the eastern Bay of Plenty on New Zealand's North Island. It is the starting point for State Highway 35, which follows much of the coastline of the East Cape and terminates in Gisborne.

Understand

Church Street

Get in

By car

Opotiki is 30 minutes drive east from Whakatane, which is the best bet for car hire.

By bus

Intercity Coachlines stops outside Hot Bread Shop illy Cafe, 43 St Johns St. Daily services are: Auckland via Whakatane, Rotorua and Hamilton 10:30am; Gisborne via Matawai 4:45pm.

BayBus. Probably the cheapest way to get around the Bay of Plenty.

Services may change so check websites for more details.

By plane

The nearest airport with scheduled passenger flights is at Whakatane. Rental cars are available at the airport.

Get around

All car parking is free.

See

• 1 Fibre and Fleece Fashion Show, De Luxe Theatre, Church St. 9–11 July. 
• 2 Opotiki Rodeo, War Memorial Park grounds. Held every December, usually on the 28th, attracting cowboys, cowgirls and families from all over New Zealand. 
• 3 Opotiki Museum, 123 Church St. M-F 10AM - 4PM, Sa 10AM - 2PM. $10. (updated Jun 2020)

Do

• Waiotahi Beach (5–10 minute drive west of Opotiki on State Highway 2). Patrolled by lifeguards in summer and is a great place to swim, fish or relax. Every New Years Day (1 January) there is a beach sculpture competition. $5 per team, register by 9:30am. See the Opotiki information centre website for further event details. 
• Fishing. 
• Horse Trek, end TeWaiti stream road, Urutawa Forest, Opotiki, ☏ +64 7 929 7564. 4-6 hours treks up the pristine TeWaiti stream to the TeWaiti hut. Advance bookings only. http://www.bushaven.co.nz/bushaven/Horse_Trekking.html 
• Hiking. 
• 1 Opotiki Golf Club, 4 Fromow Rd, Hospital Hill (off SH2 from Whakatane, turn right before crossing the bridge to town), ☏ +64 7 315 7415. A well maintained 18 hole, 70 par course. Basic equipment hire available. 
• Motu River Jet Boat Tours (35 mins east from Opotiki along Highway 35. Turn left immediately after crossing the Motu River Bridge. On your left at the riverbank will be the red coloured Motu River Jet Boat.), info@motujet.co.nz. Summer: 10am, noon, 2pm. Booking required. 
• Hukutaia Domain, Woodlands Rd (8 km from Opotiki). 4.5 hectares of ancient native forest that is full of birdlife. There are several short tracks all of which will take you past Taketakerau - a giant puriri tree that was used by a local Maori tribe as a burial tree. This magnificent tree is estimated to be over 2000 years old. Free/donation. 
• Motu Trail Cycleway (19-93km), ☏ +64 21 56 46 65. Motu Trails is one of the 23 Great Rides on the New Zealand Cycle Trail (Nga Haerenga). It offers diverse cycling on unsealed road and trails, between Matawai and Opotiki. The Cycleway has three options: the Dunes Trail near Opotiki is easy riding suitable for families; the Motu Road is an historic unsealed road that's technically easy but pretty hilly; the Pakihi track is a remote wilderness trail. Over 10,000 people per year ride the Dunes Trail, and close to 3000 ride the Pakihi Track. Free. 

Buy

• 1 Opotiki New World, 19 Bridge St, ☏ +64 7 315 6723. The only large supermarket operating in Opotiki. Stock up on supplies here before heading around the isolated East Cape. 

Eat

Opotiki has several fast food outlets, mainly Chinese takeaways. For good Kiwi food visit one of the fish and chips stores in the town.

Sleep

• 1 Bushaven, end TeWaiti stream road, Urutawa Forest, Opotiki (Off Otara road), ☏ +64 7 9297564. Assorted accommodation and camping in a native bush reserve within the Urutawa Scenic Reserve alongside the pristine TeWaiti stream yet only 20 min. from sunny Opotiki or 30 min. to the beach. A range of accommodation including a five bedroom house, bunkhouse, small baches and a small campground with full utilities. All have decks and use of BBQs. Several walking, tramping and mountain biking tracks are close including www.themotutrails.co.nz. Swim in clear unpolluted pools of mixed depths. Take a gentle stroll up the TeWaiti track or branch off to a side track for a bit of a challenge, also great for mountain bikes. Check out the glow worm just up the track. from $15 - $350. (updated Jun 2020)

Connect

• 1 Opotiki Information Centre, 70 Bridge St, ☏ +64 7 315 3031. Also the home of the local Department of Conservation office. 

Go next

• The drive to Gisborne around the East Cape on State Highway 35 features spectacular ocean views and remote settlements. Allow 8 hours on the road. Then return to Opotiki on State Highway 2 via Matawai and the Waioeka Gorge. Allow 11–12 hours on the road for the round trip.