Bay of Plenty

Need to know ...

One of the country’s premier destinations, the Bay of Plenty features white sandy beaches and beautiful harbours. The landscape is dominated by the harbour and the magnificent Mauao (Mount Maunganui), the cultural focal point of the region. With a fantastic combination of ocean, spirit and earth, the Bay of Plenty has it all.

Main Centres

Tauranga – sophisticated centre of the region.
Mount Maunganui – beach resort renowned for surf and sand.
Papamoa – beach resort near native bush walks and waterfalls.
Te Puke – ‘Kiwifruit capital of New Zealand’.
Katikati – small, arty town known as ‘Mural Town’.
Paengaroa – gateway to Whakatane and East Coast.
Whakatane – base for visits to White Island.

Getting There

By Air – Tauranga Airport, a 5-minute drive from the city centre, offers domestic flights on Air New Zealand and Origin Pacific.
By Road – 2 hours, 55 minutes from Auckland along the Pacific Coast Highway. 1 hour from Rotorua. Coaches service the region.

Getting Around

Rent a car or campervan for maximum flexibility. Alternatively, several shuttle and coach companies offer services throughout the western Bay of Plenty – from package tours to transfers.

Eating Out

Astrolabe Restaurant Café & Bar (82 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui, t +64 7 574 8155) – iconic restaurant.
Bravo Café & Restaurant (Red Sq, Tauranga, t +64 7 578 4700).
Bombay Brasserie (77 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui, t +64 7 575 2539).
Kestrel at the Landing (Waters Edge, 120 The Strand, Tauranga, t +64 7 928 1123) – unique floating restaurant.
Harbourside Brasserie & Bar (South End of the Strand, Tauranga, t +64 7 571 0520) – waterfront dining.
Latitude 37 (181-183 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui, t +64 7 572 3037).
Mills Reef Winery & Restaurant (143 Moffat Rd, Bethlehem, Tauranga, t +64 7 576 8800) – award-winning.

Where to Drink

Cornerstone Pub (55 The Strand, Tauranga, t +64 7 928 1120).
Home Bar (15 Harington St, Tauranga, t +64 7 578 6828).
Imbibe (Bayfair, 19 Girven Rd, Mt Maunganui, t +64 7 928 2036).
Papamoa Tavern (20 Domain Rd, Papamoa, t +64 7 572 1094).
Usual Suspects (53 The Strand, Tauranga, t +64 7 927 3325).

Coffee Fix

Alimento Delicatessen Café (72 First Ave, Tauranga, t +64 7 579 5990).
Gusto (200 Maunganui Rd, Mt Maunganui, t +64 7 575 5675).
Café Paradiso (Cnr SH2 & SH7 Clarke Rd, Te Puna, t +64 7 552 6686).
The Naked Grape (97 The Strand, Tauranga t +64 7 579 5555).

Sights

Check out the murals at Katikati – this unassuming little town has become well-known as an open-air gallery, its buildings adorned with murals.

Mt Maunganui (Maori for ‘Large Mountain’) is undeniably the major landmark of the Tauranga region. Climb one of the tracks to the summit for some of the best ocean and city views you’re likely to encounter anywhere.

White Island – located 50km off the coast of Whakatane – is New Zealand’s only active marine volcano. The majority of the volcanic structure, estimated to be over two million years old, is actually underwater, making White Island popular with divers.

Action

Get friendly with the locals – head to Whakatane and join a dolphin-swimming tour for an unforgettable experience.
Go whitewater rafting on the Wairoa River – said to offer some of the best falls and rafting in New Zealand.

Relax

Cycling around beautiful Matakana Island – fringed by 24km of white sand surf beach on its eastern coast – is the perfect way to relax. Catch a ferry from Omokoroa.
Spend a day on the beach at Papamoa – 13km east of The Mount, the beach here is just as beautiful, but less crowded.

THE experience

Timing your visit for summer? Learn to surf! There are numerous surf schools at Mt Maunganui and you couldn’t pick a better place to learn.

Did you know?

Notable Culture

The Bay of Plenty was settled by Maori in the 14th Century, when Tamatekapua landed at Maketu having journeyed from Hawaiki in the waka Te Arawa. Tauranga translates to ‘Resting Place for Canoes’.

Moment in History

In the mid-19th Century, Opotoki was the centre of the Hauhau movement – a Maori spiritual movement grounded in Judaeo-Christian beliefs.

Note This!

Head to Te Puke – the kiwifruit capital of the world – for a taste of New Zealand’s famous fruit. Over 70% of the nation’s kiwifruit is grown here.

Websites to Check Out

www.bayofplentynz.com
– Bay of Plenty Visitor Information