Bay of Plenty - Activity Highlights

Bay of Plenty | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

If you love the ocean, the Bay of Plenty will show you a good time. From a gentle stroll along the beach to high excitement on a paraglider, anything's possible.

Featured Tourism Operators in Bay of Plenty

Bay of Plenty Activity Highlights Overview

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Blokarting at Papamoa, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Blokarting at Papamoa
Bay of Plenty
Photographer: Chris McLennan
(www.cmphoto.co.nz)

The surf beach at Mount Maunganui is not to be missed on a hot summer's day. When the breeze is blowing, windsurfing and kite surfing are all go on the harbour. Head out to sea for a feast of fishing in the waters around Mayor Island. Watch one of the season's sporting events while you consume a delicious 'Copenhagen Cone', or snorkel the deep rock pools around the base of Mauao.

Adrenalin seekers can choose from a range of thrilling experiences, including blokarting, jet boating and white water rafting. Nature lovers can swim with dolphins, visit farms and orchards or wander for miles along the beach.

Paradise Lifestyle by the Sea

At Tauranga and Mount Maunganui you'll find a brilliant combination of beachy adventure and indulgent relaxation.

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Kiwifruit at Te Puke, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Sailing Tauranga
Bay of Plenty
Photographer: Chris McLennan
(www.cmphoto.co.nz)

Catch a fishing charter to the marlin waters of Mayor Island (Tuhua)
Have a dolphin encounter - watching or swimming
Sample award winning wines at local wineries
Try skydiving or parasailing, or zoom down a dirt track luge
Walk around the base of Mount Maunganui 'Mauao' or hike the 1.5 kilometres to its volcanic cone summit
Relax at the Mount Maunganui Hot Salt Water Pools

Volcanic Adventure at White Island

White Island, off the coast near Whakatane, is one of the most interesting active volcanoes in the world.

Zoom over in a helicopter
See it from the sea, then take a guided walk over the island

View further information on our Island Highlights White Island page.

Bush and River Thrills

Deep in the Athenree Gorge you can have the time of your life. Get on board an Argo Adventure—a unique amphibious bush and river ride.

Don't Miss Katikati

Image Source: New Zealand Poet Society. Haiku by Jim Kacian USA, Haiku Pathway, Katikati, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand

Haiku by Jim Kacian, USA
Haiku Pathway, Katikati
Bay of Plenty
Photographer: Sandra Simpson
(www.poetrysociety.org.nz)

If you're driving to the Bay of Plenty from Auckland, Katikati is unmistakeable. Just look for the murals.

Katikati is famous for the Haiku Pathway. The meandering, riverside Haiku Pathway is adorned with 30 boulders engraved with poems, and is the largest collection of English poem boulders in the world. It is also the largest such pathway in the Southern Hemisphere, and the largest collection of "haiku stones" outside of Japan.

Vibrant paintings adorn Katikati's commercial buildings, depicting the pioneer lifestyle of the area. Visit the Katikati Heritage Museum and discover the town's colourful history—beginning with the arrival of the Maori people. Remember the town with a photo with Barry, the newspaper-reading bronze statue in the heart of Katikati.

Te Puke - the Kiwifruit Capital of the World

Te Puke is located about 28 kilometres from Tauranga and is known as the 'Kiwifruit Capital of the World'. It was here that New Zealand's booming kiwifruit industry began. Kiwifruit is now a major export crop with hundreds of local growers producing millions of trays of the traditional 'green' and luscious 'gold' kiwifruits that are shipped out worldwide.

Take a guided tour through a working kiwifruit orchard and find out how it all works. Sample some of our famous kiwifruits for yourself.

For some fun and thrills go jet boating, whitewater rafting, take a helicoper ride and more at Longridge Park New Zealand.

In the evening take a visit to the Capitol Entertainment Centre for some relaxing entertainment. The centre includes three cinema theatres and boasts one of the largest screens in New Zealand.