The park’s communal facilities are designed for the classic self-catered kiwi holiday. The camp kitchen is modern and practical, equipped with everything you need to whip up a family feast, including cooktops, microwaves, and fridge-freezers.

If you’re after a morning caffeine fix or a treat to take back to the beach, The Red Barn Bakery Café is an absolute local icon just a few minutes down the road. This charming country bakery is famous for its onsite-baked goods, from thick-cut sourdough and giant hot cross buns to their legendary vegetable pies. It’s also home to a local craft collective, so you can browse handmade treasures while waiting for your flat white.

For a quality meal with a historic feel, Thornton Bar & Eatery is the place to be. Set in a beautiful old villa on the corner of the Tauranga turnoff, it offers a relaxed indoor-outdoor dining experience. You can grab a seat in the garden to soak up views of Whale Island while enjoying their signature salmon benedict or a hearty burger. It’s fully licensed and very family-friendly, with a dedicated playground to keep the little ones entertained while you linger over a cold drink.

Just a short drive further toward town, don't miss Julian’s Berry Farm and Cafe (seasonal). It is a Bay of Plenty rite of passage to stop here for a real fruit ice cream or a punnet of freshly picked berries—a sweet way to cap off a day in the sun.

You really have the best of both worlds here with the ocean on one side and the Rangitāiki River on the other. Start your day with a sunrise stroll along the sand, where you can soak in uninterrupted views of Moutohorā (Whale Island) and the smouldering silhouette of Whakaari (White Island) in the distance. If you’re feeling active, hire a kayak or SUP from the park to explore the calm waters of the river estuary.

For the keen fisherman, this is absolute paradise. Known as the "Kahawai Capital of the World," the river mouth offers incredible surfcasting right from the shore. If you have a boat, the Thornton boat ramp is just 200m away, providing easy access to the deeper waters where snapper and kingfish are a regular catch.

For a bit of relaxation, the Awakeri Hot Springs are only a short drive inland. These natural thermal mineral pools are tucked into a peaceful bush setting and are the perfect place to soak after a day of beach adventures. If you head into Whakatāne, take the time to visit Mataatua: The House That Came Home to experience a deeply moving cultural tour, or walk the Kohi Point track for some of the best coastal vistas in the Bay of Plenty.

The Red Barn Bakery is a local favourite and can get incredibly busy on weekend mornings. It is worth sending someone on a quick coffee and pastry run early to beat the rush and ensure you get first pick of the freshly baked sourdough.