Located in the Western Bay of Plenty, near Te Puke, Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park is a 135 hectare property explored and enjoyed by thousands of visitors each month.
The summit is 224 metres above sea level and offers sweeping views of the Bay of Plenty coastline. 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 Pāpāmoa 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. You will find an information board at the car park that provides further information about the park.
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.
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
Due to the high number of archaeological and cultural sites located within the Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park activites have been restricted to passive recreation.
The Pāpāmoa 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.
