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Bay of Plenty, New ZealandTauranga Scenic Highlights

Tauranga | Regional Information | Activity Highlights | Scenic Highlights | History

Beautiful coastal landscapes are the Bay of Plenty's specialty. However, you will also find mountains, forests and tranquil rivers in the Bay of Plenty.

Tauranga Scenic Highlights Overview

Tauranga is situated in the glorious Bay of Plenty - a place of beautiful harbours, long white surf beaches and a sunny, easy going lifestyle.

From Tauranga one can visit the famous White Island. White Island is the perfect example of an active volcano. It breathes, it roars, it hisses, its spectacular and its easily accessible.

Mount Maunganui (a part of Tauranga) enjoys some of the most pristine sands. Mount Maunganui itself is rises abruptly from the ocean 232 metres into the air. This has long been a mountain shrouded in mystery and spiritual Māori importance. The gently undulating track around the base of the mountain winds from the ocean to the harbour. Tracks also lead to the summit for some of the best ocean and city views anywhere.

Scores of forests lie inland all waiting to be explored. Places to see include the Kaimai Heritage Trail, Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, Kaituna wetland, Karangahake Gorge, Mount Te Aroha, Orokawa Scenic Reserve, Mayor Island (Tuhua) - a privately owned island that one must get permission from Tuhua Trust Board and much more.

White Island, New Zealand's only Active Marine Volcano

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Discovering White Island, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Discovering White Island
Bay of Plenty
Photographer Rob Suisted
(www.naturespic.com)

White Island is the perfect example of an active volcano. It breathes, it roars, it hisses, it's spectacular.

The island is unique in a number of ways. The vent is below sea level but shielded from the sea by high crater walls. Although surrounded by sea water, the vent is chemically sealed from it. This sealed zone traps an acid hot water system, which is derived from rainwater. As the island is also very accessible, it is internationally important for scientists and vulcanologists.

The volcanic structure of the island is thought to be two million years old, with the volcano itself between 100,000 and 200,000 years old. White Island is one of the most amazing natural experiences in New Zealand.

» Information about White Island

Exploring the Beauty of the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park

Image Source: Tourism New Zealand. Giant Kauri Tree, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Giant Kauri Tree
Photographer: Destination Northland
(info@northlandnz.com)

The 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. To visit the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is to walk through a living museum of ancient and recent history.

In ancient times the Kaimai Mamaku Range was a Noah's Ark for plants, riding high above seas of ice and oceans of water. In more recent times, Māori settlers formed tracks through the range, hunted in its subtropical forest and used its plants for food and medicine. Later Europeans used the bush in much the same way but they also milled its mighty trees and dug into the hillside for gold.

The park marks the northern boundary for the red and silver beech. It is also the southernmost limit of the majestic kauri.

The public has free access to the park, and recreational facilities include 300 kilometres of tracks. Huts, shelters and picnic areas have been developed for camping, hunting, education and bush walking.

» Information about Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park

Tauranga Accommodation

Tauranga is a popular tourist destination and offers a wide range of accommodation options:

View more Tauranga Accommodation options.

Useful Tauranga Links

To help plan your Tauranga holiday choose from the main categories below:

Tauranga Region Information

Tauranga Tourism Operators

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