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The coastal Bay of Plenty encompasses everything that's good about the typical Kiwi lifestyle. The sunny 'Bay' has long been New Zealand's top holiday destination for Kiwis and offers a great mix of fun activities, scenic attractions, culture and top dining experiences.
Escape to the BOP
Tauranga is the region's main city, and the seaside suburbs of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa are popular destinations thanks to their sandy white beaches. The Bay of Plenty is also home to Te Puke, the heart of the kiwifruit industry, Katikati, New Zealand's 'mural town', the quiet coastal village of Waihi Beach and historic Maketu.
Adventure lovers won't be bored in the Bay. Spring Loaded Fun Park, located in Paengaroa, has something for everyone. The Kaituna River jet boat ride winds 12 kilometres through a narrow gorge of native bush complete with a heap of 360-degree spins thrown in to get your heart pumping. Or jump on a U-drive mud bug, where you negotiate (under expert supervision) a challenging three-kilometre 4WD course - sometimes blindfolded and always guaranteed to give you an adrenalin rush!
If you're keen to stay on the water, the Bay of Plenty is the place for you. A truly unique activity for the whole family is glowworm kayaking on Lake McLaren. This trip will see you kayak at dusk to a unique glowworm canyon where you are greeted by thousands of glowworms adorning the canyon walls.
No visit to the Bay of Plenty is complete without a stroll around the base track, or to the top of Mauao (Mount Maunganui). The 3.4km base track is one of the country's most popular walks for visitors and locals alike. Over a million people walk these tracks each year and both offer great views of the coastal areas and outlying islands.
The Bay of Plenty is a region of extremes: surf the breaks of Papamoa Beach by day then bathe in hot saltwater pools at the base of Mauao at night.
Dolphins
The Bay of Plenty is one of the best places in the world to see dolphins in their natural habitat. It's estimated that around 40,000 common dolphins have made the Bay of Plenty their home.During a guided trip, you can get up close and personal with these amazing creatures and even hop in the water and swim with them - a unique experience. From December to May, four companies run daily dolphin watching trips from Tauranga.
White Island
Whakaari (White Island) is New Zealand's only marine volcano. Lying 50km off the coast of Whakatane, it is one of the world's most accessible and breathtaking marine volcanoes.Walking on White Island is like walking on the moon, virtually no vegetation survives the harsh acidic environment inside the crater walls. Instead, lush beds of yellow and white sulphur crystals grow amongst hissing, steaming, bubbling fumaroles. White Island Tours run daily trips to the island from Whakatane.
Hot Pools
There are eleven geothermal hot pools located throughout the Bay of Plenty region, and Mount Maunganui is the only place in New Zealand where you'll find hot salt water pools.Tuhua
Tuhua (Mayor Island) is one of the region's best-kept secrets. Located 35km off the coast of Tauranga, the pohutukawa-covered island is a nature reserve and home to many rare native birds including kiwi, tui and kaka (native brown parrot).The island takes its name Tuhua from the obsidian (black volcanic glass) that is found on the island and was used extensively by pre-European Maori. Tools and artefacts sourced from Tuhua have been found throughout New Zealand and the Pacific. The only access to the island is a half-day eco-cultural tour with Aerius Helicopters.
The Island was first seen by Captain Cook on the date of the Lord Mayor's Birthday in London, England - November 3rd, 1769 and was named in his honour.
A feast of fun at Tauranga Arts Festival 2009
Theatre, music, dance, visual art and a touch of circus come to Tauranga in October for the Tauranga Arts Festival. The biennial Tauranga Arts Festival runs from 22 October to 2 November and is 12 days of top entertainment by international and national performers, including music, theatre, dance and photography. Read more