Story by Bianca
Surf, Style and Romance
Adventure in Bowentown, Bay of Plenty, NZ
Bags packed?… Check. Baby packed?… Check. Dog packed?… Check. Now we’re ready for a romantic getaway!
Upon entering “The Barn’s” gate, we were instantly transported to a designers dream Balinese style apartment. Mesmerised by the stunning artwork, well thought out architecture and tasteful style, culminating in a peaceful and romantic ambience. As lovers of travel and owners of a shaggy dog, this was our first trip with the additional baby +1. ‘The Barn’ was the perfect pet/baby-friendly spot for us.
We hiked the main hill in Bowentown, greeted at the summit by spectacular views of the peninsula and down the coast to Mt Maunganui. We headed to North Waihi Beach to check out the surf scene and managed to get some waves in. Orokawa Bay was next on the list, an untouched paradise with no road access. We enjoyed a well-deserved swim after the 50-minute hike getting to the bay.
Aches from our day forgotten, we relaxed at the apartment with wine in the sunken tub and once baby was sleeping, we enjoyed a romantic dinner in the bamboo-surrounded courtyard. Finally, we adventured through the Karangahake Gorge, a perfect spot for our dog to cool off in the river after a day of walking.
We loved our time in and around Bowentown and Waihi. We highly recommend The Barn for a Romantic Beach hideaway.
Upon entering “The Barn’s” gate, we were instantly transported to a designers dream Balinese style apartment. Mesmerised by the stunning artwork, well thought out architecture and tasteful style, culminating in a peaceful and romantic ambience. As lovers of travel and owners of a shaggy dog, this was our first trip with the additional baby +1. ‘The Barn’ was the perfect pet/baby-friendly spot for us.
We hiked the main hill in Bowentown, greeted at the summit by spectacular views of the peninsula and down the coast to Mt Maunganui. We headed to North Waihi Beach to check out the surf scene and managed to get some waves in. Orokawa Bay was next on the list, an untouched paradise with no road access. We enjoyed a well-deserved swim after the 50-minute hike getting to the bay.
Aches from our day forgotten, we relaxed at the apartment with wine in the sunken tub and once baby was sleeping, we enjoyed a romantic dinner in the bamboo-surrounded courtyard. Finally, we adventured through the Karangahake Gorge, a perfect spot for our dog to cool off in the river after a day of walking.
We loved our time in and around Bowentown and Waihi. We highly recommend The Barn for a Romantic Beach hideaway.
Things We Did
- Hike
- Surf
- Walk
- Sunset
- Café
An untouched gem with no road access, swimming was well deserved after a 50-minute hike to get to the bay.
Be sure to check the surf forecast - North Waihi Beach is the place to catch waves in the area.
Within a 25-minute drive from Bowentown, Karanagahake Gorge offers a range of spectacular walking options to explore the old tunnels and rich history hidden in the deep valley. Most walks are dog friendly and there is a popular bike trail, Hauraki Rail Trail, which features a stunning stretch of river in the country.
Situated at the end of Bowentown Reserve, you will find a track leading up to the top of the hill. Once you reach the summit you will be greeted to a breath-taking view of the entire peninsula.
Stroll along the beach and if you are lucky admire a spectacular sunset.
Calling all dog and foodie lovers. If you after some good quality food and somewhere to take your pooch, the Surf Shack Café is the place to be. The staff there are really great at looking after pup and owner with some awesome treats and amazing food.
Our Adventure Map
Where we stayed
Things we did
We've plotted our adventure on the map below. Select the map icons to discover more details.
Share The Love
Add this story to your bucket list or gift it to someone you think deserves it!
Book Our Adventure
Book through this story to receive our itinerary and extra tips to help you live your adventure to the fullest.
What are Riparide Stories?
Riparide Stories are authentic experiences shared by real travellers (who are handy with a camera). It's like reading your best friend's travel journal - packed with photos, honest reviews and visual itineraries.