Bay of Plenty

The coastal Bay of Plenty, one of the country’s top holiday destinations, offers a great mix of accommodation, activities, scenic attractions, culture and dining experiences.

Whether you’re after adventure, beach life or a bit of indulgence, the Bay of Plenty has all the bases covered. Located along the picturesque Pacific Coast, the region is home to a beautiful landscape in which to enjoy a full range of activities year-round.

The region’s main center is Tauranga and the coastal suburbs of Mt. Mauganui and Papamoa have long been popular with visitors. The region is also home to the heart of the kiwifruit industry in Te Puke, the art-loving town of Katikati, quiet coastal village of Waihi Beach, historic Maektu and the tourist activity center of Paengaroa.

Located at the entrance to one of the largest natural harbors in New Zealand and nestled beside the magnificent Mauao (Mt. Manganui), Tauranga is also home to the country’s biggest export port, Port of Tauranga. The harbor hosts many cruise ship visits each summer and is popular with windsurfers, jet skiers and all those who love to spend their leisure time on the water. Two large marinas hold over 1000 yachts and launches with many charter boat operators taking keen game fishers out to the internationally renowned deep sea fishing waters of the Bay of Plenty. Scuba diving is also enjoyed by many and there are wrecks, reefs and underwater volcanic islands to explore.

Many New Zealanders own holiday homes at “The Mount” as it is known. The beaches are numerous and safe for swimmers and surfers. The top spot for swimming is Main Beach, which is located at the foot of Mt. Manganui and faces the Pacific Ocean. On the opposite side of Mauao is the harbourside Pilot Bay, which is a launching pad for boats and kayaks. It’s also a shallow swimming spot ideal for families.

Located down the road from The Mount, Papamoa’s long beach is a quieter option than the busier Mount Manganui areas and there are many access spots along Papamoa Beach Road. Papamoa’s coast stretches out to the sky, bordered by wild, protected dunes and more remote beaches.

Located 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Tauranga along State Highway 2, Te Puke is surrounded by orchards and pack houses. The town hosts an Annual Kiwifruit Festival  to pay tribute to the kiwifruit industry and its role in the town.

The inland areas of the Bay of Plenty include the Papamoa Hills Cultural Heritage Park, Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park and the Wairoa River.

Lake McLaren and the Wairoa and Kaituna rivers also offer scenic surroundings for activities such as white-water rafting, kayaking and deep-sea fishing. The region is ideally situated near several islands which offer a unique day or overnight excursion: Tuhua (Mayor Island), Motiti and Whakaari (White Island).

The varied landscape includes the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park, which offers a genuine Kiwi bush tramping experience. The forest is a natural wonderland with a variety of native trees and ferns, and the plentiful rainfall in the Kaimai yields vibrant, colourful flora and fauna.

The region has some of the most historically significant areas of all of New Zealand. Three of the seven waka(canoe) that formed the original migration of Maori to Aotoaroa (New Zealand) made their first landing in the Bay of Plenty.

Maketu was the landing place of the Te Arawa canoe following the migration of early Maori from Hawaiki. Polynesians settled in the Bay of Plenty about 1,000 years ago.

More than 400 years went by before the Bay of Plenty was given its name when Captain James Cook circumnavigated New Zealand in 1769. Cook was alluding to the region’s welcoming people and abundant resources.

Activities around the Bay of Plenty

The region offers a great base for those exploring the central North Island, with easy road access to the Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua (just 45 minutes inland) and the snowy peaks and deep lakes of the Taupo region.

Choose from water adventures like white-water rafting, kayaking, dolphin encounters, parasailing and jetboating. There’s also skydiving, scenic flights, blokarting (a locally invented land sailor) horse treks, cultural experiences, golf, and a variety of gardens and museums to peruse. From the beaches and harbour to a thriving kiwifruit industry and Maori culture, the coastal Bay of Plenty is a great holiday destination.

The kiwifruit is one the most symbolic icons of the coastal Bay of Plenty, and horticulture plays a very important role in the economy of the region. Orchards are spread throughout the region and an annual festival pays tribute to the iconic fruit.

Whether you’re interested in Maori carving or abstract paintings, you’ll find lots of art in the coastal Bay of Plenty. Traditional Maori arts such as carving and weaving are alive and well, and can be viewed in markets, shops and on marae (meeting houses) throughout the region.

The Cargo Shed is an art and craft market where local artists and organisations can work and display their products to the public every Saturday and Sunday. There is a range of artists from contemporary and traditional Maori artists with carvings, jewellery, weaving, and painting. There are also multi media artists, spinners and weavers, pottery and garden art. The Shed, located on historic Dive Crescent, has quickly become a hub of life and activity for the public and creative artists in the region.

The many waterfront areas make enjoying a cup of coffee or tea a relaxing and popular activity for many. The area across from Main Beach in Mount Manganui  is a scenic, bustling home for many cafes. Other cafes can be found along Maunganui Road and The Strand waterfront area in Tauranga.

Maori culture is alive and well in the coastal Bay of Plenty, where the culture of the indigenous Maori people affects the language, the arts, and even the accents of New Zealanders. Long before the first Europeans arrived in the Bay of Plenty, Maori were drawn to the area by its easy access to the coast and its “fruit bowl” qualities.

The region’s walks range from minutes to days in length, from beach walks to native bush walks. The walks up and around Mt. Manganui are popular with locals and visitors, and hundreds of thousands of people use the tracks each year.

Tauranga city offers a number of scenic walks, from the historical city walk to the Waikareao Estuary.

Outside the city, try some tramps (hikes) in the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park to see stunning waterfalls and kauri trees. Katikati’s Haiku Parkway is a popular walk along the Uterera River, or opt for the scenic Orokawa Resrve in Waihi Beach. Orowaka Reserve walkway starting in Waihi Beach.

The coastal Bay of Plenty’s great soils and climate make for some of the best tasting produce around, and weekend markets are a great place to go to stock up on freshly picked fruits, vegetables and more.