Taking a walk up to the look out at Bowentown heads is worth the trip.
The view is something else with views across to Matakana Island and down to Mt Maunganui as well as Motiti Island. It is also the start of the Tauranga Harbour stretching all the way down to Tauranga.
The look out is also a Maori pā site (a fort) and you can understand why - a magnificient vantage point where you could see folk coming from every whch way. The 128-ha Bowentown Domain on the headland has several important pā sites, including Te Ho (east) and Te Kura a Maia (south). Present-day Ōtāwhiwhi pā is on the harbour shore.
You can also see the trenches where the Maori had kumara pits - one of the very best sites accoding to locals because it has not been destroyed by animals or humans.
The picturesque Anzac Bay is very popular all year round with locals and visitors alike. From there you can walk over to Shelley Bay or have a swim just off the beach or paddle out in your kayak. You need to be really careful though as there are very strong currents out in the chanel with the tide coming and going twice daily and the Bowentown Bar is not for the faint hearted - respect for the sea is top of mind here.NB the coastguard will take you out and show you where the bar is and where the best crossings can best be done
