Beach Road Reserve (Ōtūmoetai)

A coastal public reserve for intertidal science learning in Te Moana-a-Toi

This article provides information about a science-related experience to support school and whanau event/programme planning. You can explore more experiences across Aotearoa here.

Beach Road Reserve in Ōtūmoetai is a free coastal public space for place-based science learning along the shores of Te Moana-a-Toi (Bay of Plenty).

At low tide, the wide tidal flats make ecological patterns visible—ideal for observation, quadrat sampling, and biodiversity investigations with individuals, whānau, and school groups.

Use the sections below to plan your visit and explore learning possibilities.

     Why Beach Road Reserve (Ōtūmoetai)?

Beach Road Reserve offers a rare opportunity to observe intertidal ecological patterns across a wide, gently sloping tidal flat within an urban coastal setting. The openness of the site makes changes in species distribution, substrate, and environmental conditions visible, supporting repeated observation and comparison over time. The site’s accessibility and visibility make it especially useful for short field visits, repeated investigations, and comparative studies with school groups and community learners.

Location: Ōtūmoetai, Te Moana-a-Toi (Bay of Plenty)

Type: Public coastal reserve

Suitable for: Individuals, whānau, school groups

Cost: Free

Typical visit length: 1-4 hours

Best conditions: Low tide, settled weather

What learning is possible here?

Learning at Beach Road Reserve centres on observing and investigating intertidal systems, with opportunities to notice patterns, variation, and change.

• Observe and document intertidal biodiversity, noting patterns in species distribution across different tidal zones (Exploring and Observing, Pattern Seeking for NCEA Level 1 Science).

• Use simple field methods such as quadrat sampling or transects to gather and compare data across different parts of the tidal flat (NCEA Level 2 Biology).

• Record observations using iNaturalist, contributing to shared datasets while building skills in species identification and evidence-based observation.

• Reflect on how tides, seasons, and human use shape intertidal environments, using observations from the site as evidence.
  

     Planning Your Trip

Location of Beach Road Reserve on the Ōtūmoetai shoreline, Te Moana-a-Toi (Bay of Plenty). Map data from OpenStreetMap. See Google Maps co-ordinates here.

Visitors are encouraged to treat the reserve as a shared public space and minimise disturbance to the environment. The following considerations may help shape how you plan and use this site.

• Toilets: a public toilet block is available on site.

• Mobility access: the intertidal area is separated from the Beach Road walkway by a low rock wall. Nearby boat ramps provide access points; however, wheelchairs and mobility scooters are likely to get stuck in soft sand.

• Food and drink: there are no food or drink vendors on site.

• Parking: parking for private vehicles and vans is available nearby. Bus drivers may need to arrange drop-off and pick-up points.

• What to bring: What you bring will depend on the purpose and length of your visit. The items below are suggested for most visits to the reserve.

  • Appropriate footwear suitable for wet and uneven surfaces

  • Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)

  • Water bottle and packed lunch (no vendors on site)

  • Weather-appropriate clothing (wind and rain protection if needed)

  • Notebook or clipboard and pencil for recording observations

  • Mobile device or camera (optional, for photographs or iNaturalist use)

• Other:

  • A tap is located near the toilet block and may be useful for rinsing equipment at the end of a field visit.

Potential Risks

The points below are provided to help you plan a safe visit and do not replace your own judgement or safety planning.

• Observe public signage in the area.

• Check tide times before planning your visit.

• This is a public space that is popular with runners and cyclists; dogs may also be present on the walkway.

• Exposure to sun and wind is likely; shaded areas are available under large trees. There are no food or water vendors on site.

• Stormwater drainage is present near the toilet block; for quadrat sampling it may be preferable to shift a few metres eastward.

• Emergency awareness:

  • Tsunami evacuation map

     Contact

This is a public reserve. For site-specific information, permissions, or maintenance enquiries, you can contact Tauranga City Council.

     Gallery

Beach Road Reserve is best experienced through repeated visits, where seasonal change, tide cycles, and human impacts become increasingly visible over time. Whether used for a short local field study or as part of a longer inquiry, the site offers meaningful opportunities to connect science learning with place.

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