Bay of Plenty Tourism Operators: Accommodation | Attractions | Tours | Transport
Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
The sunny climate and beachy atmosphere of the Bay of Plenty make it a place to have fun. Laugh with the locals while you sample the easy-going lifestyle.
Location
Coastal Bay of Plenty lies east of the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges and south of the Coromandel peninsula.
General Facts
As of June 2005, Bay of Plenty's estimated population was 260,300.
Tauranga, the major centre for the Bay of Plenty region, is located at the entrance of a beautiful natural harbour. Two large marinas hold over a thousand yachts and launches, and there are numerous charter boat operators ready to take you out to the marlin waters offshore.
The Bay of Plenty region enjoys a mild, sunny climate. It also boasts some of New Zealand's most popular beaches and an abundance of orchards, especially citrus and kiwifruit.
Holiday accommodation in the Bay of Plenty region ranges from high-class lodges to holiday parks and backpacker hostels, both in Tauranga and across the harbour at the beach resort of Mount Maunganui.
In eastern Bay of Plenty you'll encounter Te Puke, 'the kiwi fruit capital' of New Zealand.
Main Attractions and Activities
Mount Maunganui, with its prominent volcanic cone that gives it its name, is popular with surfers. It's also a very popular family holiday spot having a choice of both ocean and gentle harbour beaches.
Boat charters are available from Tauranga for big game fishing, snorkelling, dolphin watching or just cruising. Out on the horizon is White Island, an active volcano usually identified by its trailing plume of steam. Helicopter trips land on the island from Rotorua and Whakatane, along with boat trips also from Whakatane.
There are a number of challenging activities in the area, including tandem parachute jumping, sky diving, a hair-raising ride in a bungee rocket and rafting down the Wairoa River, one of the most spectacular stretches of white water in the country.
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is made up of two distinct areas, the Kaimai Range and the Mamaku Plateau. The Park, covering 45,000 hectares, forms a narrow barrier between the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.
Don't Miss
Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park,
Bay of Plenty
- Rafting the Wairoa River
- Kiwifruit country, near Te Puke
- Big game fishing, Tauranga
- A hike to the summit of Mt Maunganui's volcanic cone
- Surfing, Ocean Beach, Mt Maunganui
- Bungee Rocket Ride
- White Island trip
- Te Puke Vintage Auto Barn
- Hiking in the Kaimai-Mamaku Ranges
Main Centres
- Katikati - mural town
- Tauranga - a major regional centre and popular holiday spot
- Te Puke - for kiwifruit orchards
- Whakatane - main town of Eastern Bay of Plenty, for boat trips to White Island volcano, local beaches
