Location: Bay of Plenty Region
Top Things to do in Bay of Plenty Region
Top Restaurants in Bay of Plenty Region
Top 10 Nature & Wildlife Areas in Bay of Plenty Region, North Island
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. White
2. Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 527 reviews
Reviewed By Ian201804 - Napier, New Zealand
Amazing experience, just incredible to be able to get up close and personal with these amazing birds along with really passionate staff.
3. Puketoki Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By YvonnePapamoa - Mount Maunganui, New Zealand
2 loop walks, one short and one long on marked tracks with info every now and again. Re-vegetated forest kept almost predatator free by local volunteers.
4. Paradise Valley Springs Wildlife Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,062 reviews
Paradise Valley Springs is open every day of the year, including all public holidays, from 8.00am until dark with last ticket sales at 5.00pm. Lion Feeding is every day at 2.30pm and our Kea and Possum Feeding happens every day at 3.00pm. The park is set in a beautiful native bush covered setting, and has excellent wide walkways throughout that are well suited for strollers and wheelchairs. We have bags of Trout or Animal Food available for $2 per bag if they would like to hand-feed some of the animals, or throw food to the trout. Your time in Paradise will include getting up close and personal with our New Zealand Birds, Trout and Wildlife. We also have our Rainforest Treetops Walkway hidden six metres high amongst mature native trees and bush. You will also be able to view our Lion Pride in their enclosure at any time of the day.
Reviewed By CLETUS1
Great place to spend the arvo!! Lots of animals to see and feed. Lion feeding was awesome to see! The staff are really friendly and knowledgable. Good facilities and well maintained. Highly recommend a visit, great for kids.
5. Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,697 reviews
Explore spectacular activity in the world’s youngest geothermal system on a self-guided walking tour at Waimangu Volcanic Valley. We offer a range of options for all abilities and ambitions varying in length from our short 1.5km highlights walk to a 4.5km hike including an invigorating climb over Mount Haszard for astonishing panoramic views. Discover Frying Pan Lake, one of the largest hot water springs in the World and mysterious, beautiful Inferno Crater Lake which rises and falls as it heats and cools. See rare and unusual plants that have adapted to grow in the warm geothermal landscape and enjoy the abundance of native birdlife around Lake Rotomahana. Opt for an additional 45 minute cruise around the tranquil waters of Lake Rotomahana to see nature, birdlife and geothermal activity not accessible by foot. Relax and listen to the full historical commentary throughout cruise. Enjoy a much needed rest and take advantage of the shuttle bus at the end of your tour.
Reviewed By R0gerV - Leuven, Belgium
This site offers a nice hiking experience for all levels of fitness. Starting at the visitors center you can hike all the way down the valley passing places like Frying Pan Lake, Cathedral Rocks, Inferno Crater, Birds Nest Terrace, Rift Valley, Waimangu Stream and many more, leading you to the jetty at Lake Rotomahana. Here you can even make a boat trip of about 45 minutes on the lake. You are walking all the way in a stunning landscape with geothermal and volcanic elements. Depending on your hiking abilities you can start walking and if necessary take the internal bus further down to the lake or return, after a breathtaking walk all the way down, back to the visitors center. This is an experience you should not miss when you are in the neighborhood of Rotorua.
6. Hamurana Springs Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 401 reviews
Get back to nature with the unparalleled peace and serenity that is Hamurana Springs. Feel the troubles of the modern world disappear as you journey through lush, untouched landscape on an easy, low impact streamside walk suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Originally a tribal settlement today it is an untouched nature park and wildlife refuge, which combined with the manaakitanga (hospitality) of the tangata whenua (people of the land) make Hamurana Springs a truly magical experience. Come and experience the culture, history, serenity and spirit that is Hamurana Springs.
Reviewed By sharonmartin2016 - Wellington, New Zealand
A lovely place to walk around and see beautiful scenery and lovely clear water. We were the only ones there so it was very peaceful and serene. The redwood trees were amazing to see alongside the clear water and springs. Well worth a visit.
7. Hukutaia Domain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 48 reviews
The Hukutaia Domain ranks as one of Opotiki's main attractions. It is a 5 hectare remnant of extensive native forest that was set aside as a reserve by one of the original owners Mr E.M Hutchinson in the early 1900's. Mr Norman Potts was instrumental in developing the reserve with walking tracks and touring all over New Zealand (plus outlying islands) gathering rare and endangered plants some of which now form a very valuable botanical collection. Mr Marc Heginbotham followed on with Mr Potts work. Of particular interest is the 2000/5000 year old giant Puriri tree. Being hollow the tree was used as a resting place for the bones of Distinguished Dead of the Upokorehe. The tree named Taketakerau was highly Tapu. Local resident Marnie Anstis has written a book entitled the Millennium Tree which is based on the life of Taketakerau. The Domain is owned by the Opotiki District Council. A Care Group looks after the Domain by way of maintenance, pest control and development with generous help from the Council and Environment Bay of Plenty. Brochures, information sheets and notices about various topics are available in the Domain. There is no charge to visit the Domain. To get to the Domain turn left immediately on leaving the Waioeka bridge (heading west) on to Woodlands Road and drive about 7 kilometers to very near the end where you will find the Domain sign. The Domain is looked after by the Hukutaia Domain 'CARE GROUP' a small group of volunteer locals with a keen interest in the welfare of the Domain. Work includes track maintenance and improvement, pest control, signs, information and data.
Reviewed By ChrissieMurray - Morayfield, Australia
Hukutaia domain is significant on so many levels. The details have been shared in the other reviews. I love this place - I grew up visiting this domain often. The latest activity is painted rocks.People hide them and it becomes an activity to find them and re-hide. As long as everybody involved in this activity obeys the rules: use a sealant on the painted rocks to prevent paint leaching, do not hide rocks off track to avoid people damaging plants and roots - then it becomes a good reason for more people and families to enjoy this beautiful domain, to take their time to look around and observe this wonder. So if you wonder what all those colourful rocks are - just leave them for the kiddies to find if you are not participating in the activity.
8. Waioeka Gorge Scenic Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Reviewed By BrendaMatamata_N_Z
This piece of road has always been one of our favourites but recently after a long time we were lucky enough to be able to travel through here from Gisborne to Opotiki, once again. A gently windy road, following a beautiful river with every b end seeminly like a painting scene ahead of you. So very , very pretty that it doesn't seem to take long at all. No cafe's etc going through but there are cafes before and after it . Photographers will want their cameras handy and be prepared for lots of stops as you view the stunning scenes, of river, bush, waterfalls and cliffs.
9. Marshalls Animal Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By ChloeLear - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Visited the park with my 7 and 5 yo’s, enjoyed every minute. It’s not big so a couple of hours is more than enough. Suitable for strollers and toddlers. Make sure you buy lots of animal food so the little ones can feed the friendly animals. When we were there these two clever goats followed us everywhere begging for food and picking up all the leftovers from every feed.
10. Waiotapu Boardwalk/ Mud Pool
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 125 reviews
Reviewed By 619jeffry - Essendon, Australia
You can't go to Rotorua and miss the "dancing mud." Rotorua is the heart of Maori culture. Due to thermal activity, the boiling mud makes shapes and keeps on ploppng away, without a break. The mud is quite fascinating, I rate the dancing mud as one of the high points of out trip to New Zealand's North Is;land.
