Location: Bay of Plenty Region
Top Things to do in Bay of Plenty Region
Top Restaurants in Bay of Plenty Region
Things to do in Bay of Plenty Region, North Island: The Best Sights & Landmarks
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. St Michael's Catholic Church
2. Surico Alpaca
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 14 reviews
For an amazing alpaca adventure visit Surico where you can see a real working alpaca farm and get up close to these fabulous animals. Tour is approximately 90 mins and includes a guided farm walk, walk an alpaca on a lead, wonderful views of Lake Rotorua, takes photos with an alpaca, see products made from our alpacas. Located only 20 minutes from downtown Rotorua via the picturesque village of Ngongataha or if you take the scenic drive around Lake Rotorua we are only 20 mins from the airport. Tour cost $45 per adult Children $25.
3. Puketapa Lookout
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By MartinB286 - Auckland, New Zealand
Stunning views overlooking Whakatane and out to see with White Island clearly visible. A place where you can feel at one with yourself and find peace. Go up early in the morning and enjoy a cooked breakfast at nearby Robert Harris. They do a mean breakfast!
4. Amokura Glass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Come into Amokura Glass to see how glass objects are made or to try working with glass yourself. Watch our artists shape one of the most dynamic and fascinating materials on earth, molten glass. Watch as the glass moves and glows! Our artists will pinch pull and blow the glass into different forms to make one of a kind glass art. After watching how the glass is shaped, you can shop in the gallery to pick up your own unique piece of glass. Want to give it a go? We offer workshops every weekend in blown and fused glass. Learn how to make your own glass paperweight, pumpkin or tile! Sign up online! Summer hours 9am- 5pm (Nov 1- April 1). Demos from 9:20-2:30 Winter house 10am- 5pm (April 1 - Nov1). Demos from 1:00- 5:00
5. Tamaki Maori Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,404 reviews
Tamaki Māori Village – Evening Cultural Experience. New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Experience! Experience an evening of ceremonial ritual, powerful cultural performance, storytelling & hangi feasting. Share in the Powhiri, our ancient ceremony of welcome before entering our pre-European Māori Village nestled within a native Tawa Forest. The village comes alive with sights, sounds & activity of days gone by including haka, poi, tattooing, weaving, carving and arts of warrior training. You will have the opportunity to participate in these activities. Witness the earth being scraped away from the hāngi pit to reveal baskets of food cooked beneath the ground on hot stones. Enter the ancestral meeting house and enjoy a powerful cultural performance before dining the traditional hāngi buffet feast!
Reviewed By rhigr - London, United Kingdom
From the minute Hone picked me up it was phenomenal, the whole drive there our guide, Liam, was warm and funnny as well as informative, and the experience of walking around and learning about Maori culture was unforgettable! I’m also a veggie and was amply provided for - would highly recommend, well worth a visit
6. Agrodome
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,631 reviews
In the heart of 350-acres of lush farmland, yet only 10 minutes from Rotorua city centre, you’ll find New Zealand’s Agrodome. Join us for a unique New Zealand farm experience! For over 40 years, visitors from all over the globe have come to the Agrodome to see our world-famous Farm Show starring a cast of talented animals… and you! You’ll hear amazing facts and have a few laughs as you’re introduced to 19 breeds of sheep. After the show you can visit the Farmyard Nursery, which is home to our cutest baby animals who are available for cuddles and photos! There are three exciting shows a day at 9.30am, 11.00am and 2.30pm. Plus, if you really want to explore the Agrodome 350-acre working farm then join our Farm Tour. During this guided tour, you'll get to hand-feed loads of friendly animals including Romney sheep, cattle, deer, llamas, ostrich, pigs and alpaca! You’ll also sample delicious kiwifruit juice and honey from our land. Tours depart daily at 10.40am, 12.10pm, 1.30pm and 3.40pm.
Reviewed By Footprints201362 - Orem, United States
We loved the show and the MC, loved the baby lambs and the explanations. Very good, and well worth it--wish we'd had more time.
7. Whakarewarewa - The Living Maori Village
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,669 reviews
With natural geothermal heat radiating from the ground, Whakarewarewa Living Māori Village is a unique cultural experience, set in a fascinating geothermal landscape, offering an authentic peek into Māori village life. Hourly guided tours give visitors a chance to learn how the geothermal resources are used in daily life, twice-daily cultural performances are filled with fun interactivity, and a network of nature trails traverse geothermal lakes, bubbling mud and explosive geysers. This will be a memorable experience for all ages. Open 8.30am – 5.00pm daily.
Reviewed By linfarrington24 - Launceston, Australia
Loved seeing how Maori people have lived and evolved over hundreds of years. Wonderful to be welcomed and encouraged to share their pride in their cultural heritage. We started with a tour by a young guide who had a uniquely modern perspective on her heritage, we followed that with the cultural show which brought us to tears in the beauty of the love songs and the passion of the cultural expressions. Finally we shared a traditionally prepared meal, which we thought we would 'experience' rather than enjoy. How wrong we were! It all goes to show how much we have to learn from our indigenous brothers and sisters!
8. Ohinemutu
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By klvmar
Ohinemutu is the site of a Maori village on the shores of Lake Rotorua. Two beautiful structures at this location face each other, the Tamatekapua meeting house and St. Faith's Anglican Church. Both buildings are predominantly white with red trim, and both are embellished with impressive Maori carvings.
9. Te Puia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5,628 reviews
Te Puia spans 70 hectares within the historic Te Whakarewarewa Valley, on the edge of town. We are home to the world famous Pohutu geyser, to mud pools, hot springs, to silica formations to the Kiwi bird and the national schools of wood carving, weaving, stone and bone carving. We have shared these treasures with manuhiri (visitors) for 170 years and proudly continue that legacy today.
Reviewed By ruki-de - Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom
Enjoyed the combo with the guided tour of the craft school, Pohutu geyser, general entertainment, Maori show, the multi-course dinner and hot chocolate back at the geyser after dark. Included pick-up from and return to accommodation.
10. aMAZEme
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 378 reviews
Beautiful Hedge Maze, located in Rotorua. Park entry includes loads of old fashioned family fun. Sack racing, giant board games, tug o war. Bring a picnic! Open 7 days a week during July school holiday. 4/7 - 19/7 2020
Reviewed By mrsmlmls - Taranaki Region, New Zealand
Awesome place ! Friendly staff, so much fun and the old fashioned games area was a bonus. Defintely recommend. Great value for money.
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