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Papamoa Hills Regional Park
Papamoa Hills Regional Park is l ocated in the Western Bay of Plenty, north of Te Puke, Papamoa Hills Regional Park is a 135 hectare property explored and enjoyed by thousands of visitors each month. Papamoa Hills Regional Park in the Bay of Plenty, opened in 2004, was the first regional park outside the Auckland and Wellington regions. The park contains a large number of early Maori pa sites, with ditches and middens (rubbish heaps), as well as terracing on the hills. The summit is 224 metres above sea level and offers sweeping views of the Bay of Plenty coastline.
WALKING TRACKS
There are several tracks through the park which can be used to enjoy the views and explore the numerous archaeological features, including seven pa sites.

Walking trails are Papamoa Hills Regional Park's main feature. Take a stroll through the farmland and enjoy the panoramic coastal views.

The main and most well-known walking track is from the carpark, located on Poplar Lane, to the trig station (at 224 metres). This track leads through pine forest, native bush and open grassland and showcases the terracing on several pa sites and breathtaking views from the top. It takes about 45 minutes and rises relatively steeply.

There are several other tracks which allow you to explore the cultural heritage of the park and make the most of the expansive views, with most tracks leading you to each of the six pa sites within the Park boundary.

Remember sunscreen and a hat for sunny days and although most tracks are well formed, good walking shoes are recommended, as is a reasonable level of fitness. Take a bottle of water with you as there is no drinking water supply in the Park.
PARK RULES
Due to the high number of archaeological and cultural sites located within the Papamoa Hills Regional Park activites have been restricted to passive recreation.

No dogs permitted at all times.
No camping.
No motorbikes.
No mountain biking.
No horse trekking.
No fires.
Rubbish free park - care for our environment and take your rubbish home with you.
GETTING THERE FROM TAURANGA
Travel east on State Highway 2 towards Whakatane. About 1 kilometre past the Papamoa/Bell Road turn-off on the left, turn right into Poplar Lane. The carpark access is on the right, before you reach the quarry gate.
Distance from Tauranga: 20 kilometres (20 minutes)
From Rotorua
Travel towards Te Puke via State Highway 33. The Park is 5 kilometres after Te Puke on the left. Turn left from State Highway 2 into Poplar Lane.
Distance from Rotorua: 65 kilometres (45 minutes)
GETTING THERE FROM WHAKATANE
Follow State Highway 2 towards Tauranga. The Park is 5 kilometres after Te Puke on the left.
Distance from Whakatane: 80 kilometres (60 minutes)
Take extra care when driving along Poplar Lane as it is frequently used by quarry trucks moving to and from the quarry located at the end of the lane. Do not walk along Poplar Lane to access the Regional Park.
ENJOY YOUR VISIT
There is an information board at the car park that provides further information about using the park. The Park is also an operational farm. Remember to always leave gates the way you found them.
The Papamoa Hills Upgrade project is scheduled for implementation in 2021, which will see the entrance upgraded and landscaped with increased capacity and better safety features, improved interpretation and signs and improved recognition of the cultural and historic features of the park.
WELCOME TO PAPAMOA BEACH NEW ZEALAND
Papamoa is now one of the fastest growing areas in New Zealand due to the increase in popularity of coastal communities, close proximity to Tauranga and recent local shopping developments. Once a small and tight knit community, many of Papamoa's sweeping paddocks have been swallowed up by urban development.