Bay of Plenty

You'll find some of the country's best beaches between settlements and larger towns up and down the east coast stretch. Set on the Tauranga peninsula, Mount Maunganui is one of the best known, called on for its picturesque maunga and hike, reliable surf and lively village filled with first-class bars and eateries. While the coast sees plenty of on- and off-water action, the fun continues inland with the country's largest waterslide, electric drift trikes, and an abundance of short family-friendly walks.

Cruise the country’s most picturesque waters

For almost 70 years, the kauri-built Kewpie has delighted sightseers on some of the country’s most picturesque waters. Today, she takes tourists on hour-long cruises around Tauranga Harbour, dropping off those who want some down-time on Matakana Island. On this super-cute little double-decker blue and white boat you'll hear interesting stories about its history, and that of the scenery you’re gliding past, and the sea life you see, which might include dolphins and orcas, blue penguins and fur seals. Read more

Set sail on dry land

​The land-based sailing Blokarts were invented in Tauranga — so there is no better place to give it a go than ground-zero of the sport. Adventure park, BayStation, has a purpose-built track and the first myth to bust is that it's complicated. Depending on the wind, you'll be shown what track to use — and the rest is simple. Just pull the rope, depending on what speed you want, and steer. The track is designed for beginners, and you'll get the hang of it within one circuit. Read more

The wharenui that travelled the world

Named after the waka bringing Māori from Polynesia to Whakatāne around 1350, this huge, highly-decorated wharenui has a remarkable history. Mātaatua opened in 1875 before being shipped around the world. It was lovingly restored to its former glory upon its return in 1996. Its panels and pillars are a dazzle of pattern, colour and intricate chiselling. Read more

Laugh out loud drift triking

In a nondescript building near Tauranga airport is something that, at first glance, looks like a go-kart course. But Drift Triking is much more fun and a real challenge. The world-first trikes are powered by an electric front wheel. The big difference is these skid sideways each time you turn. The first few laps will end in farce. You'll be doing circles all over the place, heading in the wrong direction and banging into everything. However, once you start to understand the delicate balance between power, steering, and skidding — it becomes much easier to get around the track. Read more

The best times to be in Bay of Plenty

From longboard festivals down the western end of Ōhope Beach to boutique food and wine celebrations spanning the long sweeping coastline, Bay of Plenty has plenty going on throughout the year to keep visitors and locals entertained. The longest-running jazz festival in the Southern Hemisphere is another major highlight on the calendar, annually attracting over 45000 people at Easter weekend. Read more

Short walks for little legs

White sand beaches, waterfalls and giant kauri make the Bay of Plenty a walker’s paradise — even if you’ve got little (or lazy) legs. Favourite short, family-friendly strolls include a 45-minute coastal walkway to a pōhutukawa-fringed strip of white sand, a forest loop to a popular swimming hole, an old bridle route to one of the largest trees in the region, and the hike to the top of The Mount — a bone fide Mt Maunganui must-do. Read more

A harbour full of surprises

Ōhiwa Harbour is where orca chase stingrays to get a feed, godwits fly 11,700 kilometres from Alaska to nest here, oysters abound and the fish bite. The harbour is a tranquil haven and its traditional Māori owners have been here for centuries. Yet this special place is hardly known outside the Eastern Bay of Plenty. A kayak trip with KG Kayaks is a great way to check out all the harbour has to offer. Off the water, there is also plenty to explore, including the Onekawa Pā. Read more

Walk through ancient kauri

Most head to the forests of Northland to see living giants, but a magnificent patch of kauri can still be seen in Bay of Plenty. The Kaimai Range is home to what's thought to be the largest remaining kauri tree in the region. Tuahu is reached on an easy 50-minute return walk, which includes a large platform surrounding the tree, allowing you to get an up-close look at its towering trunk without damaging the delicate root system. Read more

Ōhope's slip and slide with rocket pace

Entrepreneur Sam Oliver approached the owners of a steep block of land overlooking Ōhope Beach, thinking it would create an epic water slide. With their blessing, he carved a track, layered it with carpet for padding, then plastic wrapped it for speed. The result is a water slide that anyone above the age of four can rocket down on a mat — heavier adults tend to fly down with considerable pace. The slide will run until Waitangi weekend, and Oliver hopes it will make a comeback next summer, bigger and better than ever. Read more

Pick your own flowers

Forget florists – there's an increasing trend overseas for flower yards to open their doors and allow you to pick your own at a much-reduced rate, and it's catching on here. Miss Mandy's Flower Emporium charges $35 to pop 15-20 stems in the bucket provided. Just bring secateurs and a container to take them home. The flower yard is only open for weekends at the moment until mid-February. Read more

Pleasant pedalling with a view

Ōpōtiki's Tirohanga Dunes Trail is the easy bit of the deservedly famous Motu Trails. Together, the three tracks are a challenging 121km of pedalling or walking, but the Dunes Trail is a pleasant 18km, three-hour outing with little in the way of gradients to get you puffing. It takes you along the coast on a well-made track and delivers plenty of scenery. You’ll get spectacular views towards Whakaari/White Island, Moutohorā/Whale Island, and the cliffs and peaks of Eastland. There’s plenty of easy access to the beach for a dip to cool off. Read more

A walk to rival Mauao

The iconic walk to the top of Mt Maunganui is worth every step – but it can be busy, especially on a sunny weekend. Just a short drive away, you can find an arguably better view – and have the lookout all to yourself. It's known as the Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park (Te Rae o Pāpāmoa), and the 135-hectare reserve has sweeping views of Tauranga, Mauao, and down towards Whakatāne. Read more

A hidden wildlife paradise

It's enough to make even David Attenborough salivate: leopard seals, sunfish, leatherback turtles, whale sharks, manta rays, albatross and even beaked whales. To see anything like this, many assume you'd need to head to far-flung corners of the planet on a National Geographic expedition. However, this is just a small selection of what passengers on the Bay Explorer have seen in the Bay of Plenty, one of New Zealand's most underrated wildlife destinations. Read more

The lesser-known hot water beach

It takes an hour to sail from Whakatāne to Moutohorā/Whale Island. From the blanket of mānuka and kānuka on the mainland to the soaring surf-pounded cliffs, the geology may be intriguing, but the wildlife and geothermal activity is what makes this island special. The wildlife refuge is teeming with some of New Zealand’s most endangered native species, including tuatara, kiwi and NZ fur seals. Onepū/Sulphur Bay is a hidden hot water beach where visitors can dig a hole in the sand at low tide to sit in a natural hot tub. Read more

Ancient trees and alien-like creatures

Ōpōtiki's Hukutaia Domain is a Noah’s Ark of New Zealand bugs, birds and plants, and is looked after by a volunteer care group. The 4.5-hectare bush reserve is home to many rare and endangered native plants, including a 2000-year-old pūriri tree that was once a repository for ancestral bones. Wildlife includes the alien-like ngāokeoke velvet worm and a newly discovered wētā, found so far, only in the Domain. Read more

The best beach you've (probably) never visited

At the western end of Ōhope Beach, you'll see an intriguing little walkway – it's a 15-minute journey to paradise. After a sweaty few minutes ascending the side of a peninsula, you'll weave your way down to reach Ōtarawairere Beach. The moment you hit the beach, stand still: all you'll hear is the waves rolling onto the sand and the gentle rustle of pōhutukawa trees. If there happens to be someone on the beach, just walk a little further. The best part of this bay is that there are numerous sections, so it's easy to find your own patch of sand. Read more

Mince and pastry perfection

Goldstar Patrick's Pies is one particularly famous destination for baked goods. Owner Patrick Lam has nabbed the Supreme Award at the NZ Supreme Pie Awards more than anyone else; a record seven times. Meat pie heaven can be found in an unassuming strip mall. On weekends, the line often stretches from the counter back to the entry, but queueing only means there’s more time to browse the cabinet. 2019’s Supreme Award-winning mince and cheese is a sure bet. The mince filling is rich and savoury in flavour and generously packed to the edges of the buttery flaky crust. Read more

Food truck feast

One of Tauranga's best-kept foodie secrets is found in a quiet little nature preserve known as Matua Park. Every Sunday evening the park transforms for a food truck festival known as Dinner in the Park. Head along to find a kaleidoscope of different options from all over the world, including pulled pork from Tray of Plenty, vegetarian Japanese from Golden Balls and the latest creations from Mount Brewing Co. Read more

A seamless blend of cultures

As its name suggests, Izakai brings together flavours and traditions of Māori and Japanese cultures. Mount Maunganui’s Liam Millard launched the concept in Bayfair Shopping Centre as a Kiwi twist on the Japanese izakaya style of eating and drinking where diners can see the chef at work. The local influence can be seen in menu options like the hāngī pork and watercress ramen, creamed pāua and prawn dumplings, and rēwena bread. Read more

Heaven for berry lovers

Strawberry lovers - brace yourself. Berry nirvana awaits in the Bay of Plenty. Black Stump Berries is found in Pāpāmoa, and alongside fields of pick-your-own strawberries, you’ll also find lots of tasty creations such as strawberry jam doughnuts and fruit ice cream from the farm. The season runs from September to February, so don’t miss out.

For brews on the go

Move over wine tours, Tauranga-based Brewbus is all about beer. Run by a former Crown lawyer and journalist, Brewbus tours take enthusiasts to the best craft breweries dotted around the city. The tour doesn’t just stop at the bigger brewers; they also head to the those operating out of sheds like Slab, who offer creations from delicious ginger lager to stout. Read more

A taste of Asia

Bay of Plenty is blessed with an impressive mix of excellent eateries, with the newly-opened Lantern Pāpāmoa a must-try if you love Asian cuisine. Unmissable dishes include their Malaysian fried chicken with a honey-lime mayonnaise, alongside butter-poached green fish curry and their prawn toast – which is the best we've ever tried. It has a generous layer of prawns nestled on a massive chunk of turmeric sourdough, topped with a chilli cheese sauce and green rice flakes. Read more

Giant waffles filled with ice cream

It’s easy to find this place — there will probably be a long queue formed outside the shop, and for good reason. Polar Dessert Bar specialises in cold plate ice cream, where the raw ingredients are poured onto a freezing plate and the ice cream is mixed, spread and rolled before your very eyes. Their Ferrero Rocher caramel nut creation is some of the best ice cream we’ve ever had. Read more

Three Mount Maunganui cafés

What does anyone really want after a swim or stroll along the sand? Good kai, that’s what. Our friends at the Mount sure know how to soak up the sun, but they also know good food. The General is a go-to for Turkish eggs and healthy noodle bowls. At bright and breezy Tay Street Beach Café the sea is so close you can almost touch it, and Café Eighty Eight serves one of Aotearoa’s best turmeric lattes. Settle back in the courtyard with the raw blueberry and orange cake. Read more

Tauranga's spot to be seen

Sugo’s roadside al fresco area is the spot to be seen on Tauranga's Wharf Street. Award-winning chef Ian Harrison dishes up Italian-inspired fare that showcases local ingredients, like cheesy arancini balls and gorgonzola-stuffed olives to larger plates of beef cheek lasagne and snapper agnolotti. The Neapolitan-style pizzas are another popular attraction. It would be rude to leave without trying the rewarewa honey panna cotta or house-made tiramisu. Read more

Bay of Plenty's freshest fish and chips

Bobby’s Fresh Fish Market has been operating in the Bay for around 30 years. The flagship store found right by the water on Tauranga’s Dive Crescent is regularly considered to be one of the best takeaway joints in town, where visitors can unwrap their chip parcel right on the wharf and take their pick from fresh fillets next to the harbour where they were swimming that morning. Owner Bob Palmer says the difference here is the freshness of the fish and because his chips are cooked in beef fat instead of oil, making for crispy yet fluffy batter and distinctively tastier chips. Read more

The pizzeria born in a bowling alley

Professional muso Joseph Thompson launched Avenue Pizza after struggling to find a decent slice in his hometown. The sourdough pizzeria came to life in a bowling alley, becoming a destination eatery for pizza lovers, and snack central for ten-pin players. Now, while waiting to reopen in Tauranga's CBD, the pizza crew is dishing up Detroit-style square slices out of ​Pāpāmoa’s Island Brewery, serving classic mozzarella pies and white sauce creations topped with spicy fried chicken. Read more

A historic and stylish highlight

Originally built in 1905 as the city's main post office, one of Tauranga's most stately buildings is now a bijou boutique hotel combining historic features with a cosmopolitan design aesthetic. Versatile adjoining spaces combine for two of the city's most popular cafés and restaurants, while the hotel's shared outdoor areas bring a relaxed Mediterranean charm. The Clarence Hotel & Bistro is a characterful and romantic base for exploring Tauranga and the wider Bay of Plenty region. Read more

A pint-sized luxury escape

This tiny house, around half an hour out of Mount Maunganui, has been cleverly designed with luxurious mod-cons while remaining humbly perched on a hill overlooking a 500-acre sheep and beef farm. Falcon’s Nest feels completely private and the owners’ attention to detail is phenomenal. You can expect the hot tub to be full on arrival, eggs and fresh fruit for breakfast, and marshmallows ready to be cooked over the brazier. Read more

The luxury retreat with a 16km beach

Paradise Beach is a coastal retreat in the heart of Pāpāmoa described as a luxury beach "barn". There are two interconnected barns to choose from. One is designed for couples, with a plush king bed, luxurious en suite, fully-equipped kitchen and a large lounge that flows through to a tree-lined wraparound deck. It has an almost Hamptons-meets-Bali feel about the place. The second is even bigger, sleeping six, and you can rent both for a larger gathering of eight. Read more

The best off-grid glamping spots

The Bay of Plenty is the perfect place to go off the grid and have a bit of luxury at the same time. Phoenix Valley's stylish safari tent sits just outside of Tauranga, and has glowworm grottos, swimming holes and waterfalls to explore nearby. Redwood Farm has both a treehouse glamping site and a tiny house spread across farmland near Te Puke. And just outside Whakatāne you’ll find Kahikatea Farm, a collection of huts and a Lotus Belle tent nestled amongst mānuka, kahikatea and nīkau palms. Read more

Beachfront luxury

Spend a night in one of the tallest towers in Mount Maunganui, The Pacific Apartments. The higher rooms come with sweeping views of the harbour and city. Rise early the next morning to head up the Mount for sunrise, before brunch in one of the many cafés that line the waterfront — and ending it all with a swim. Read more

Traditional tents and Kombi cabins

At the northern entrance of Tauranga Harbour is a beachfront holiday park with around eight kilometres of white sand. Bowentown Beach Holiday Park sits snugly at the base of Te Ho pā site with a surf beach to one side and the sheltered family-friendly Anzac Bay to the other. It has 183 sites ranging from the traditional tent or caravan sites, park motels, self-contained units to cabins, and even two quirky ‘Kombi’ cabins. Hire a bike or go-kart to ride around the park or walk over to Anzac Bay for some gentle waves. Read more

A hidden gem in the bush

At Waterfall Mountain there are no power points. There’s no cell phone reception and no internet. It's genuinely off the grid — even though it's a mere 13 kilometres from the bustling eastern Bay of Plenty town of Ōpōtiki. The glamping spot appeals to novice campers by providing the comforts of a queen bed, running hot water and the undeniable charm of sleeping in a Lotus Belle tent in the middle of native New Zealand bush. An outdoor bath sits on the wooden deck. Read more

For more information visit bayofplentynz.com