Bay of Plenty Must Do's

Beyond the glittering Strand of Tauranga and golden sand of Mount Maunganui, the Bay of Plenty, true to its name, has plenty to offer visitors.

Whether your in search of crazy thrills, cullinary twists or cultural insights, the Bay of Plenty is the place to be. 

Action-packed adventures

If you're craving excitement, Bay of Plenty is sure to delight you.

• Take a guided tour of White Island, an active marine volcano that's seething with mud pools, steaming vents and crater lakes that change colour and size almost daily. You can access the island by launch or helicopter.
• Enjoy the thrills and spills of a 30-minute adrenalin-pumping jet boat ride on the spectacular Kaituna River.
• Hop on a blokart for an unforgettable land-sailing thrill. Zoom around the purpose-built track in Papamoa.
• Skydive in one of the North Island's most scenic drop zones.
• Get airborne on a parasailing experience and be blown away by the views.
• Enjoy a guided kayaking trip on the Tauranga Harbour, Wairoa River or Lake McLaren.
• Dare yourself to take a white-water rafting trip on the lively Wairoa River, which has several grade five rapids.
• Surf the rolling waves at Mt Maunganui.

Local flavour

Taste the Bay's home-grown flavours - there's kiwifruit, honey and wine aplenty.

• Find out about the kiwifruit industry at Kiwi360 in Te Puke. You'll enjoy a guided tour on a kiwicart and the chance to taste all sorts of kiwifruit products in the gift shop or café.
• See what the honey bees have been up to at the Comvita Visitor Centre in Paengaroa or Mossops Honey in Tauranga. Shop for all sorts of innovative honey products.
• Explore local viticulture at two award-winning wineries - Morton Estate in Katikati and Mills Reef in Tauranga. Both offer free wine tasting.
• During harvest time, stop at a roadside stall to pick up your fruit and veggies, fresh from the growers' gardens.
• Enjoy fresh fish and shellfish anywhere along the coast - you know it'll be just-caught and absolutely delicious. 

Wildlife

The Bay of Plenty's sunny climate makes it a great place to enjoy the outdoors - whether you want to challenge your fitness or simply seek out the perfect picnic spot.

• Visit Kaiate Falls in Welcome Bay, a beautiful native bush reserve where the river runs through a series of stunning waterfalls.
• Take a walk on Moturiki Island, which connects to the main beach at Mount Maunganui. During an easterly swell, the blow hole puts on a spectacular show.
• Visit McLaren Falls, 170 hectares of lake land reserve. It's stunning in any season.
• Discover one of New Zealand's best botanical collections - a veritable melting pot of natives and exotics.
• Mountain bike through the Oropi Gorge - a hair-raising adventure for thrill seekers.
• Enjoy the history and culture of Whakatane on one of the world's finest walkways - Nga Tapuwae o Toi (in the footsteps of Toi). Starting and finishing in Whakatane, this superb 16-kilometre walk takes in sea cliffs, ancient pa sites, bird colonies, remote bays and pohutukawa forest.

History, art and culture

With a significant Maori population and unique heritage attractions, the Bay will help you understand New Zealand's journey as a young nation. 

• Learn about the region's history at the Elms Mission House.
• Visit the famous battle site of Gate Pa. 
• Pick up a mural guide map from Katikati's information centre, then stroll the streets to inspect the town's hand painted murals.
• Take a look at the works of master Maori carvers along the main street of Opotiki.
• Learn about the Bay's strong Maori culture on a guided tour or marae visit.