4WD Trails in Bay of Plenty
97 trails in Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
About Bay of Plenty
Bay of Plenty offers a mix of coastal back-roads, forestry access, and the volcanic plateau fringe. The eastern Bay — Ōpōtiki to East Cape direction — has some of the most scenic and least-visited 4WD country in the North Island.
The Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park (on the BOP/Hawke's Bay boundary) is the major DOC area for 4WD access. Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Forest has limited vehicle access but is heavily used by mountain bikes. The Whakatāne River valley and the Waiotahe Valley forestry blocks offer day-trip driving.
Year-round driving is possible with mild winters. Summer is the most reliable for access, particularly to the coastal back-roads which can flood in winter rains.
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Popular trails in Bay of Plenty
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Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for 4WD in Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park?
No vehicle permit is required for day access on the formed roads in Whirinaki. Overnight camping in DOC huts requires standard DOC hut fees booked through the DOC website. The vehicle access road to Minginui village and the park boundary is formed and suitable for any high-clearance 4WD. Beyond the park boundary into the forestry blocks, a forestry permit from the commercial manager is required.