Papamoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park
he unparalleled views from the top of the Papamoa Hills have captivated locals for centuries. From the 224m-high summit you can gaze out across the Pacific Ocean and see everything from Mount Maunganui all the way to Whakatāne. The Bay’s earliest Māori inhabitants established more than seven pā sites here, and over 2000 archaeological features can still be found today. It takes about 45 minutes to walk from the carpark to the trig station at the top, but there are numerous other trails crisscrossing the park. Over 50,000 natives have been planted across these hills in recent years. A new visitor entrance and interpretation area opens in November 2023, to explain the cultural and historical context of the land before you set out on foot. You’ll find the entrance at the end of Poplar Lane, off SH2 between Papamoa and Te Puke. Tasman Holiday Parks – Papamoa Beach is close by, offering motorhome, tent and caravan sites as well as luxury beachfront cabins. Grab your morning coffee from Sandbank which operates out of a 1986 Bedford van beside Papamoa Domain, and dine at Lantern which serves delicious southeast Asian cuisine and is famous for their moreish tiger
