The white sands of the Bay of Plenty have long been a popular destination for Kiwis wanting to kick back and relax by the water. Throw the boogie boards in the boot, pack the chilly bin and head off to an idyllic beach to plant your umbrella in the sand and stake your claim in a slice of Kiwi paradise.
The long stretch of picturesque coastline is great for surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, and of course, swimming. There are plenty of beaches to choose from: catch the perfect wave at Papamoa, enjoy the white sand and rolling surf at Waihi Beach or find a more secluded swimming spot at Omokoroa or Bowentown. At the southern end of the region, Ohope and Opotiki attract holidaymakers to their seaside playgrounds for a nostalgic experience reminiscent of the endless summer holidays of times past.
Not far from Tauranga, the Bay of Plenty's sophisticated main centre, is one of the North Island's holiday hot spots - the resort-like town of Mt Maunganui. With its beautiful beach and renowned surf, restaurants and bars, as well as the extinct volcano Mauao, it's the ideal place to pitch a tent in the campground at the base of the mountain or check in at one of the many motels here.
There are plenty of Kiwi classics to discover as you make your way through this colourful region. Stop in at New Zealand's mural town Katikati , a place full of historical charm, experience the country's kiwifruit capital Te Puke and try the perfect Kiwi pie in Maketu.
While relaxation reigns supreme in this region, if you're in need of some good old excitement you don't have to look far - just off the coast of Whakatane, in fact. For an experience you won't forget take a guided tour and head to the otherworldly shores of White Island, New Zealand's only active marine volcano.
Mount Maunganui © Bay of Plenty Tourism
They don't call it the Bay of Plenty for nothing! This incredible region is one of New Zealand's most popular holiday spots - not only for its beaches, low-key seaside suburbs and cultural attractions, but for its adventure activities, wildlife encounters and excellent golf courses, too.
The long stretch of picturesque white sand beaches lining the coastline are great for surfing, windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing, and of course, swimming.
Underwater off the Bay of Plenty's coast is another world; scuba diving and snorkelling are popular for exploring the reefs, shipwrecks and volcanic islands.
Tauranga, the Bay of Plenty's main centre, is sophisticated and energetic - it also has one of New Zealand's fastest growing populations. The impressive inner-city Strand sparkles with buzzing restaurants and bars, and it's the perfect spot for taking in the harbour while sipping a glass of locally produced wine.
A journey through the colourful countryside of the Bay of Plenty provides views of bountiful orchards and tempting roadside stalls in a region where fertile soil and a warm climate are ideal for growing fruit.
The Bay is also home to one of the North Island's holiday hot spots, the resort-like town of Mt Maunganui. With its beautiful white-sand beach, renowned surf, fantastic restaurants, shopping, cafés and bars and the extinct volcano Mauao overlooking the town, the attraction is obvious.
Attractions
- Mauao (Mt Maunganui) is a popular walking spot - almost one million people walk up or around this mountain every year.
- Take the kids to Marshalls Animal Park, where they can feed the animals, have a pony ride and play on the flying fox.
- One of Tauranga's big annual drawcards is the National Jazz Festival. For five days over Easter, Tauranga explodes with the vibrant sounds of our best jazz musicians, as well as featured international artists.
- Follow the Waikareao Estuary Walk in central Tauranga and wander through mangroves, along winding boardwalks and around the shoreline, taking in the scenery along the way.
- Take a ball to Ocean Beach at Mt Maunganui and enjoy the golden sands, surf, warm waters and awesome views.
- Don't miss the Historic Village on 17th. This village, based on Tauranga's colonial days, has both original and replica buildings lining the cobbled streets.
- The fishing is great in Tauranga Harbour and the surrounding waters, and therefore so are the fish and chips - make sure you try them!
Kohi Point © Whakatane District Council
Fun family activities, brilliant fishing and, of course, never-ending beaches await you in Whakatane. With some of New Zealand's most popular beaches on its doorstep, this town exudes a vibrant, holiday-like ambience. Whakatane's central business district has a collection of cafés, restaurants and the only waterfall found in the centre of any town in New Zealand.
One of New Zealand's oldest towns, Whakatane has a strong Maori heritage - Maori people make up 40% of the population and Te Reo Maori is widely spoken. The Whakatane region was settled by a series of migrations over several hundred years, but the first person to settle was Tiwakawaka, who was one of Maui's grandsons (Maui was the discoverer of Aotearoa).
Look up to the skyline all around Whakatane and you'll see distinctive flat-topped hills - remnants of ancient pa (Maori hilltop fortifications). It's one of the clearest signs of the area's long and diverse history.
New Zealand's only active marine volcano, White Island, sits offshore from Whakatane. This area is also fast becoming known for scuba diving adventures. Reach the island via boat or helicopter or hop aboard a scenic flight.
Another natural attraction of Whakatane is the nearby Te Urewera National Park, where you can walk, hunt, fish, horse trek or go white-water rafting. But if lazing on the beach is more your style then there are plenty of gorgeous white-sand beaches to sink your toes into.
Attractions
- Taking a tour of White Island will give you a good idea of a time that once was - the steaming vents, sulphur yellow lakes and craters of earth in prehistoric times.
- One of Whakatane's most popular walkways - Nga Tapuwae o Toi - passes by historic pa sites, native forest and pohutukawa trees, coastal views, bird colonies forest birds and incredible rural views.
- Nearby Ohope Beach has 11km of golden sand and is great for sea kayaking, fishing, bird watching or simply relaxing in the sun.
- With a driftwood-lined coast, Opotiki sits where the Waioeka and Otara rivers meet and provides a pristine playground to swim, fish, launch a boat or scuba dive.
- Spend the day on a beautiful beach creating your own sand sculpture masterpiece at the Waiotahi Beach Sand Sculpture Competition, held in January.
- Get on your bike and explore the coast; the Motu Trails pass through the Opotiki area and include an easy there and back ride along the coast, a longer point to point ride from Matawai to Opotiki and a loop ride from Opotiki that includes a challenging section for mountain bikers.
© Bay of Plenty Tourism