Location: Bay of Plenty Region
Top Things to do in Bay of Plenty Region
Top Restaurants in Bay of Plenty Region
The 10 Best Things to Do in Bay of Plenty Region, New Zealand
The Bay of Plenty (Māori: Te Moana-a-Toi) is a large bight in the northern coast of New Zealand's North Island. It stretches from the Coromandel Peninsula in the west to Cape Runaway in the east, a wide stretch of some 259 km of open coastline. The Bay of Plenty Region is situated around this body of water, also incorporating several large islands in the bay. The bay was named by James Cook after he noticed the abundant food supplies at several Māori villages there, in stark contrast to the earlier observations he had made in Poverty Bay.
Restaurants in Bay of Plenty Region
1. Mount Maunganui Summit Track
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By BoaterTony - Waretown, New Jersey
There are two routes to the top, hard and less hard. To be fair the easier route isn't too bad. Many people of all ages walking the day we went it was so nice to see so many people walking this track. Highly recommend this for exercise and a great view.
2. Mount Maunganui Base Track
Overall Ratings
5 based on 662 reviews
Reviewed By rogerrobert98 - Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
Lots to look at and explore and one or two trees to climb. fairly flat for the oldies but quite a way to go al lthe way around
3. White Island Volcano
Overall Ratings
5 based on 166 reviews
An extraordinary experience of sight, sound and smell awaits you at this active New Zealand marine volcano, where the always present white cloud lends a mystical touch. Travel to the Island is either by boat or helicopter and tour guides outfit you for an adventurous trek on the island where signs of volcanic activity are everywhere. Visiting White Island's active crater is a "bucket list" item for many people from around the world and most often a highlight of any trip to New Zealand.
Reviewed By sunkissedslu - Barrie, Canada
Awesome trip
-Get to land on the volcano and learn about the history
-Pick up and drop off is downtown Rotorua
-About 3 hour long trip
-Land on the volcano and get to walk around
-Looking at the different destruction zones as well as steam vents.
-Pretty cool
-Pilot is the guide and was very knowledgeable
4. Volcanic Hills Winery
Overall Ratings
5 based on 441 reviews
Rotorua has a unique wine experience in its tourism repertoire with Volcanic Hills winery. The winery is at the base of Skyline Rotorua and a gondola ride up will take you to Volcanic Hills HQ, our Tasting Room situated high up within the popular skyline tourism attraction's mountain-top complex. Come up and drink the view overlooking Lake Rotorua. Please note we are closed Christmas Day.
Reviewed By Allyson S
Totally worth doing in Rotorua. The gondola ride was great but the winery made it extremely memorable. Johnny was GREAT!!! Extremely knowable, helpful and personable. He made the experience even better. The Sauvignon Blanc is to die for! Thank you for the wonderful day.Thank you for taking the time to post a review and delighted you enjoyed your visit. Hope we will see you again sometime especially when you need more Sauvignon Blanc!
5. Mt Maunganui Main Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By EnglishCanadian - Brit in Canada
A great place to walk or relax after a trip up Mt Maunganui ! Clean sands lovely warm water. Tide was going out during our visit and there was a bit of an undertow. The views along the beach and the mountain are splendid. The ocean front drive is lined with shops and cafes. Great relaxing place.
6. Waimarino Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 481 reviews
Waimarino Adventure Park is situated on the banks of the Wairoa River just 10 minutes from Tauranga city. This tranquil paradise is based around the sport of kayaking and over the past 35 years, Waimarino has become Tauranga’s premier kayaking & recreation location. Waimarino Adventure Park has New Zealand's only kayak slide, The Blob, kayaks, rock climbing, diving boards, Italian Pedallos and plenty more. Grab your swimwear and visit us for a great day of action & fun.Waimarino Kayak Tours offer a great range of kayak tours in Tauranga & Rotorua region including magical glow-worm experiences, fantastic scenery, lake-edge thermal hot pools, catering and transport.Enjoy light refreshments & NZ wine on the edge of Lake McLaren at sunset, surrounded by the ducks &swans. Glide across the calm waters at twilight, before entering our enchanting glow-worm canyon. Our glow-worm kayak tour is truly unique, and a fantastic ‘must do’ experience while in NZ. This glow-worm kayak tour experience is not available in any other location globally. ONLY in Tauranga!Enjoy our kayak tour on scenic Lake Rotoiti, paddle past pohutakawas, (NZ’s Christmas tree) cascading native bush& abundant birdlife along the lake edge. Classic kiwi holiday homes nestle amongst the cliffs & coves. Enjoy the myths and legends of the Maori people linked to Lake Rototiti, before entering the glow-worm cave. Cross the lake to the Manupirua natural thermal hot-pools to relax and reflect on your exhilarating experiences.Please see our website for more information about our park and kayak tour options.
Reviewed By cmf05a - Dallas, Texas
We did the night time kayak tour of the glow worm cave while we were there and it was very beautiful! The glow worms were not quite as bright as I was imagining (or from what I saw on pictures) but it is absolutely worth the time and money to do this while you are in town. We had three tour guides and they were great! Shaun is the only tour guide name I remember but he did an amazing job of teaching us all about glow worm and the history of the area!
Below are the only things I wish I had known prior to the tour:
1. They have you meet at the adventure park but then drive you about 20 minutes to the actual location of kayak tour. This causes a lot of waiting around before and after the tour and seemed to take up way more time than it should have. The overall experience would have been better if they had you meet at the lake.
2. The tour includes wine and cheese but it really only equals about 1 cheese cracker per person due to the cheese to human ratio.
3. Bring your own water! After the tour you will probably be thirsty (especially after the wine + kayaking) and will have to wait on the bus for everyone to get on, for the kayaks to be put away, and then the drive back before you have a chance to get water.
4. Leave your camera at home. Pictures really didn't turn out since it was so dark and you can't get still enough in a kayak to get the exposure you need for these pictures.
7. 3D Trick Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
5 themes featuring New Zealand Life and extra will never get you bored. Over 50 pieces of life-size and hyper realistic murals inspired from New Zealand Nature and life style. It stimulate your imagination and creativity. Among the diverse themes at 3D trick Art Gallery, challenge your creativity to the test and win prizes from our regular event. Find our event from facebook page.
Reviewed By Faye J - Rugby, United Kingdom
Had great fun here with friends coming up with silly poses in front of pictures. Little expensive at 25dollars..but most things are in nz and parable with other attractions. It is worthwhile thinking of silly things to do and take your tume round tbe exhibition.
8. Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Visit Waimangu Volcanic Valley and find out how the world began. Incredible Waimangu is the world's youngest geothermal system and a destination for travellers of all ages and fitness levels. Created in 1886 as the result of a massive volcanic eruption, Waimangu offers today's travellers a choice of easy self-guided walks through a natural environment of volcanic craters and awesome geothermal activity. Frying Pan Lake is the world's largest hot water spring; stunning Inferno Crater will take your breath away with the beauty of its turquoise blue lake; the environment itself will slow you down and soothe your soul.The more advanced Mt Haszard hike rewards with panoramic views, and our Lake Rotomahana cruise will reveal further geothermal activity that can only be seen from our vessel. Your entrance fee includes interpretive guides in a wide variety of languages for both the walks and the cruise. Our courtesy coach regularly circulates the valley to take you to your Lake Rotomahana Cruise, or back to the Visitor Centre when you've finished your walk, where you can enjoy refreshments in our modern Café or browse for mementos and souvenirs at our gift shop. Depending on how much time you have,your walk or cruise can range from 45 minutes to over 4 hours.
Reviewed By donbo55 - Appleton, Wisconsin
While visiting this part of New Zealand, our group took a guided walk through Waimungu Volcanic Valley - a young geothermic area. Brian was our guide. He was knowledgeable, exhibited a good sense of humor, and explained things well.
Along the way, we saw geysers, hot water Springs, and a brilliant blue volcanic crater lake near the end of the walk. Climbing the extra steps to see the blue lake was worth the climb. Many photo opportunities presented themselves. Exploring the local environment in this valley is an experience not to be missed.
9. Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
Overall Ratings
5 based on 479 reviews
Reviewed By MicheleNZ000 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Well worth it. Get there at 1:30 in time for the display at 2pm. This is so informative and incredible to see a falcon in action. We even got to have a turn with the glove and enjoy Hisan on our hand!
You can also walk through the centre and see the other birds in their cages. They are kept from young and taught to survive then released back to the wild.
The small museum is also very interesting.
10. Ohope Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 461 reviews
Reviewed By paullegate - Luton, United Kingdom
Whilst we were driving from East Cape to Waihi we decided to stop off at Ohope Beach, unfortunately we had extremely stormy weather throughout our journey. When we arrived at Ohope Beach it was deserted unsurprisingly, the whole place was windswept. On better days there would be fine views of the surrounding area, on the day we visited there was limited visibility, definitely a place to re-visit when the weather is a lot nicer.
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