On holiday in Tauranga, Mt Maunganui, or the Bay of Plenty, consider a day trip to Te Puke. The horticultural heartland of the kiwifruit industry is 28 km from Tauranga, North Island, NZ. Te Puke means “The Hills” and refers to the fact that it is situated on a hill near the Papamoa Hills.
Te Puke’s town entrance is unmissable with a stupendous kiwifruit clearly stating the role of Te Puke as the “Kiwifruit Capital of the World.” The town is home to several other fruit orchards and farms, such as avocados. Comvita honey, a powerhouse in the mānuka honey industry, also originates from this town.
The enormous Te Puke kiwifruit sculpture is a popular selfie location.
The strikingly pretty town of Te Puke is more than just an area for horticulture. The area is surrounded by nature and offers beautiful hikes and swimming spots. Te Puke is personality plus with kiwifruit infusing the town’s spirit. Enjoy kiwi favoured confectionery or browse through the intriguing year round Christmas Makers Store.
TE PUKE IS A MUST-GO DESTINATION BECAUSE YOU WILL …
- A great day trip idea from your Mt Maunganui / Tauranga holiday hub
- Create kiwifruit themed holiday memories
- Where else can you shop for Christmas decorations in the middle of summer, Te Puke, of course
Getting to Te Puke
Te Puke is 25 km from the Bay of Plenty hub, Tauranga and Mt Maunganui.
The best way to get to Te Puke is by vehicle. There is an intercity bus Bus to Tauranga | Free WiFi | InterCity® running daily.
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city it is an approximately a three hour drive to Te Puke.
What to do in Te Puke, New Zealand
Visit Kiwifruit Country
Kiwifruit Country is a working kiwifruit orchard. It is a 65-hectare orchard with over 30 canopy hectares of Green and Zespri Sungold kiwifruit. Kiwifruit Country is one of the largest kiwifruit-producing properties in the Bay of Plenty.
It’s fascinating visiting a working horticultural enterprise with its passionate owners creating a one of a kind, unique tour through the kiwifruit orchard. The popular kiwifruit orchard tour is a must-go attraction in Te Puke. Learn about the growth cycle and production of kiwifruit.
The tour concludes with a visit to the Kiwifruit Country General Store. Here you can purchase kiwifruit products such as ice cream and jam. You can also try some fresh kiwifruit in their tasting room. Kiwifruit Country is open throughout the year and offers something different depending on the season. The site is free to enter, although there are charges for the guided tours.
Take a Selfie at Kiwi 360
Kiwi 360 is an enormous gold kiwifruit sculpture at Kiwifruit Country. It is an iconic landmark in Te Puke and a must-visit for any kiwifruit lover. It is a perfect spot to take photos and selfies with friends or family.
Visit Te Puna Quarry Park
Te Puna Quarry Park is a 32-hectare public park. The park was once a working quarry but has since been transformed into a recreation area with walking tracks, picnic areas, and lookouts.
The park is split into three parts. The central half is a well-developed park with paths, sculptures, ponds, and native plants. The left section (eastern section) is a rocky regenerated native forest with a stunning (rain-dependent) waterfall and walking paths with essential signposts. The third section is still underdeveloped and wild.
Te Puna Quarry Park is a popular spot for hosting weddings and events. It has a dedicated Amphitheatre that can be used for performances, markets, and other events. The park is also a popular spot for photography enthusiasts.
Te Puna Quarry Park is open all year round, and entry is free. The park is one of Te Puke’s top tourist attractions.
Play Golf at Te Puke Golf Club
The Te Puke Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course located just minutes from the town center. The course was founded in 1978 and is one of the oldest golf clubs in the country.
The Te Puke golf course is a test of skill for even the most seasoned player. With a length of 6600 meters, the Te Puke golf course is the sixth-longest golf course in New Zealand. The golf course is also renowned for its scenic beauty, with full-irrigated fairways and gentle slopes that allow players to enjoy their game.
Te Puke Golf Club is more than just a place to play golf. It has an elegant clubhouse that features a bar and lounge area with a full range of tap and bottled beers, New Zealand wines, and non-alcoholic beverages.
The Te Puke Golf ClubHouse can accommodate up to 120 people. It can be booked for weddings, conferences, Christmas parties, corporate events, family functions, charity events, special occasions, and incentive events.
The Te Puke Golf Club also has a cafe that serves fresh, seasonal food for the foodie in you. The menu includes a selection of legendary breakfast burgers, surf and turf platters, and stone-baked pizzas.
The Te Puke Golf Club is open to the public every day of the week.
Visit Looking Glass Garden
The Looking Glass Garden is a must-visit for any nature lover. It is a stunning 8-hectare (20 acres) garden with a diverse range of native and exotic plants. The owners, Gael & Cedric Blaymires, have been developing this beautiful space for over 30 years with their love and care in every detail.
Looking Glass Garden gives you an excellent view of the surrounding area as it nestles in between Papamoa hills. As you walk through the garden, you will find various sculptures of famous story characters like three bears, peter pan, Alice in Wonderland, and many more.
The spring season is one of the best times to visit Looking Glass Garden since the entire garden is covered in beautiful daffodils. The garden is open daily, seven days a week.
Visit Christmas Magic Makers
Christmas is magic, mystery and the spell of giving and receiving love and gifts. Te Puke has bottled Christmas into a year round treat. Visit Christmas Magic Makers and discover an interactive snow cave that is full of surprises. There are various rooms with unique themes and Christmas decorations that you can explore.
Christmas Magic Makers is also a one-stop-shop for all your Christmas needs. They have an extensive range of baubles, tree toppers, lights, wreaths, and more. Visit Christmas Magic Makers and relish the joy of the festive season year round.
The store is open from September till late December. Christmas Magic Makers is a family-owned business located in Te Puke. The business was started in 2006 by Angela Thomson.
Things do to Near Te Puke
Visit Maketu Beach
Maketu Beach is a beautiful golden sand beach that lies 14 kilometers northeast of Te Puke on the east coast of the Bay of Plenty. It’s one among many Maori settlements and was said to be an ancestral landing spot of Te Arawa, an ancestral Maori ocean canoe.
On the southern end of the beach, you’ll find the Maketu estuary, which is a popular spot for fishing and swimming. The estuary is also home to a variety of birdlife. The beach’s northern end is extremely rocky, with only 300 meters of beach accessible. This small section of beach is quite popular and is home to the Maketu Surf Life Saving Club.
Maketu Beach is the perfect spot for a day at the beach. You can swim, surf, or just relax on this beautiful stretch of golden sand. It is also a perfect place to go for a walk or run. The beach is dog-friendly, so you can bring your furry friend along. However, make sure to keep them on a leash at all times.
Take a Trip to Pukehina Beach
Pukehina Beach is a 6 kilometers long, white sandy beach located 28 kilometers from Te Puke on the east coast of the North Island bay. The beach has picnic tables, toilets and shaded BBQ facilities and supports a camping ground.
The northwest end of the beach is the most popular as it has the best fishing and surfing spots. This is also the most dangerous part of the beach due to the presence of a tidal estuary with a severe rip on an outgoing tide. Inexperienced swimmers and surfers should take caution in this area.
The southeast end of the beach slopes more gradually into the ocean, making it a safer swimming spot for families with young children. The water is also usually calmer in this area.
Other activities that can be enjoyed at Pukehina Beach include kayaking, horse riding, shellfish gathering, and kitesurfing. The beach is pet friendly, so you can bring your furry friend along for a walk.
Drive to Newdicks Beach
If you are looking for a secluded beach experience, then Newdicks Beach is the place for you. This beautiful beach is located 16 kilometers from Te Puke, approximately a 20-minute drive.
Newdicks Beach has light-colored sand due to the high quartz content in the area. You’ll also find some black patches due to a mineral called titanomagnetite, which comes from Andesitic volcanoes.
The beach is relatively untouched and is a haven for nature lovers. It is a great spot to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and just relax. Newdicks Beach is also a popular spot for fishing, swimming, surfing, and kayaking. However, there are no lifeguards or amenities due to its secluded location, so take caution and come prepared.
To access the beach, you’ll have to drive through a privately owned gravel road and pay a small fee.
Admission Fees: NZ$5 for the access road (cash payment in an honesty box)
Visit Redwood Valley Farm
Redwood Valley Farm, previously known as Brann’s Farm or Roydon Downs Park, is located just outside Te Puke. The farm is open to the public and offers a variety of activities for all ages.
The farm is a popular spot for spotting native birds such as the tui, North Island robin, Wood pigeon, Paradise shelduck, morepork, and many more. Visitors can also feed the farm animals such as sheep, goats, chickens, pigs, and ducks.
Other activities that are available at the farm include –
- Rope swings
- Swimming in the stream
- Water sliding
- Horseriding
- Building huts
- Scavenger hunts
- Treasure hunts
- Bike riding
Redwood Valley Farm also offers accommodation if you want to stay the night or longer. They have various accommodation options such as cabins, huts, chalets, and campsites, perfect for spending your holidays.
Explore the Otanewainuku Forest
Otanewainuku is a beautiful stretch of forest located in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand. It is located 23 kilometers south of Te Puke which is approximately a 30-minute drive.
This 1200-hectare forest is home to various wildlife, including many threatened and endangered species. You’ll discover beautiful examples of indigenous flora, such as huge Rimu trees.
The magnificent Mt Otanewainuku is the main attraction of this forest. You can hike to its summit (640 meters) by taking the Otanewainuku Summit Track. The track begins behind the shelter and is fairly steep in places. The track is 1.15 kilometers long and takes 45 minutes to travel one way.
There is a wooden tower at the top of Mt Otanewainuku that offers stunning views that are sure to take your breath away. From up here, you can see magnificent panoramic views from East Cape to Mount Tarawera and Rotorua and over the Mamaku Plateau to Mount Ruapehu.
The Otanewainuku forest also offers a walking track called Rimu Loop Walk. This easy loop track is 1.8 kilometers long and takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. The terrain isn’t too steep, so even those who aren’t used to hiking can enjoy this beautiful path through the woods. However, the track is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
Otanewainuku forest is relatively remote, so it is important to come prepared. Be sure to wear proper hiking shoes, bring plenty of water, and a packed lunch as there are no cafes or restaurants in the area. Also, please note that there is no cell phone reception in the area, so let someone know where you are going before you head off.
Take a dip at Whataroa Falls
Once you have worked up a sweat hiking through the Otanewainuku forest, cool off with a refreshing dip in Whataroa Falls. These beautiful falls are roughly one hour away from the Rimu Loop Walking track. The track to the falls is well-marked and easy to follow.
Whataroa Falls is a 15-meter-high waterfall that cascades into a large pool. It is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking. The crystal clear water provides visitors with some refreshing moments they will never forget.
Please note that there is no lifeguard on duty, so swimming here is done at your own risk. Also, there is no cell phone reception in the area, so make sure you inform someone of your plans before you leave.
Visit Kaiate Waterfalls
Kaiate Falls, also known as Te Rerekawau Falls, is a spectacular three-tiered series of waterfalls. These waterfalls are located 12 kilometers west of Te Puke which is approximately a 15-minute drive.
When you arrive, you will be directed to a parking area where you will find the beginning of the track. There is a grassy space near the car park that serves as a good picnic spot. You’ll also find public toilets here.
The track to the falls is an easy walk through native bush. The main track leads to the top of the upper falls and then to the base of the upper falls before continuing downhill to the lower falls. Along the track, you’ll get to enjoy the sounds of the birds and fresh air.
There is a waterhole at the base of the Kaiate Falls that is ideal for swimming on a hot day. There is enough space to pick a fantastic picnic spot with a view of the waterfall. Be sure to bring your camera as there are plenty of photo opportunities.
Enjoy Swimming at Raparapahoe Falls
Raparapahoe Falls is a 3-meter-high waterfall on the Raparapahoe Stream that cascades into a big pool at the foot of a valley with extremely steep slopes. Raparapahoe Falls is 9 kilometers (approximately a 12-minute drive) from Te Puke.
To access the waterfall, you will need to walk down a short but steep and rough track starting at a small parking area on No. 4 Road. The track is not suitable for strollers or wheelchairs.
There are no facilities at the waterfall, so please come prepared. We recommend bringing plenty of drinking water, insect repellent, and a packed lunch. Also, please wear proper shoes as the track can be slippery.
Explore Papamoa Hills Regional Park
Papamoa Hills Regional Park is a beautiful 135-hectare park located 9 kilometers from Te Puke. The park was formed in 2003 to protect the cultural heritage that dates back around 1650 AD or even earlier. The park contains seven pā sites where Māori inhabitants once lived.
Papamoa Hill is the park’s highest point, which is 224 meters above sea level. The top of the hill provides 360-degree views of the surrounding countryside, including Mount Maunganui, Tauranga Harbour, and Whale Island. You’ll also enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the Bay of Plenty coastline from the summit.
There are several walking tracks in the park that range from easy to moderate. The main track leads to the top of the Papamoa Hills, which will take around 45 minutes to complete. Other tracks will take you to different pā sites where you can learn about the history and culture of the area.
Where to Eat in Te Puke
The Trading Post
The Trading Post is a French bistro-style brunch and lunch destination in Te Puke, New Zealand. It is set in a historic farm cottage in rural Te Puke with a cozy garden and a fireplace inside. The place has been beautifully restored to mirror its 100-year-old history, with native wood accents throughout the building.
The Trading Post produces seasonal dishes based on French cuisine and locally sourced products.
The Daily Cafe
The Daily Cafe is run by The Search Party Charitable Trust on a not-for-profit basis. The trust invests all of its income back into helping local Te Puke residents and organizations.
The Daily Cafe is often converted into a communal kitchen to prepare cottage pies for distribution as crisis meals. The cafe evens hosts free pizza to feed those in need.
The Daily Cafe offers you between three and six fresh, wholesome meals to keep your stomach satisfied. The cafe also serves a variety of cabinet foods, both sweet and savory. All ingredients used for cooking come from their own garden or local farms.
Anann – The Pineapple Pub
Anann is a friendly pub located in the heart of Te Puke. It is a great place to enjoy a pint with mates, meet the locals, or watch live sports on the big screen.
Anann has a large pizza menu that will tantalize your taste buds. The pub has a range of six different crafted beers on tap and a large selection of bottled beers.
Te Puke Weather
Te Puke has an oceanic climate with rainfall evenly distributed throughout the year.
The average temperature in Te Puke is 17.0°C. January is the hottest month with an average temperature of 22.0°C, while July is the coldest month with an average temperature of 13.0°C.
Best Time to Visit Te Puke
The best time to visit Te Puke is during the summer months, from December to February, when the weather is warm and sunny.
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