Residence to New Zealand’s top-rated coastline, kiwifruit, glow worms, street art, and also much more, the region is aptly called the Bay of Plenty. It is loaded with exciting as well as enjoyable things to do in Tauranga (the largest city), Mount Maunganui (seaside coastline community), and also the surrounding area.
It is a local’s play area, a weekend break vacation for other New Zealanders, a vital cruise port, and a haven for worldwide visitors.
Unlike cruise ship site visitors, we had several days to discover. We awaited relaxation, but could not stand up to the one-of-a-kind and also enjoyable points to do in Tauranga as well as the surrounding location.
With so many points to do in Tauranga and also in Mount Maunganui, we opted to begin with the symbol– the extinct volcano rising up from sea level, which is both a spiritual mountain to the Māori people and also the entryway to Tauranga Harbour.
Hike up Mount Maunganui or walk the base
The vanished volcano’s Māori name is Mauao, which translates to “caught by the dawn.” Climbing 230 metres above sea level, Mount Maunganui’s coastal views from the top track are extraordinary.
Because of an arbitrary turn of events, we really did not make it to the leading and had to turn back regarding midway up. To that factor, the walk was steadily uphill yet not too steep. It’s a preferred walk that is now classified “the most effective” by one of the Game of Thrones stars.
If climbing up Mount Maunganui isn’t your thing, one more popular track is the 3.4-kilometre path around the volcano’s base.
Climbing Mount Maunganui is one of the many things to do in the Bay of Plenty New Zealand
Sight from regarding midway to the top of Mt. Maunganui. We can see Mount Maunganui coastline, Leisure Island, Motuotau Island, and also south to Papamoa Beach
Swim or browse at Mount Maunganui Coastline.
No doubt about it, Mount Maunganui Beach is paradise. The apparently unlimited white sand as well as surf make this a popular location in the summer season. It was included on TripAdvisor’s listing of the globe’s leading 25 coastlines in 2016, as well as being voted New Zealand’s leading coastline.
Unsubstantiated from the calm day we photographed, but it is likewise a prominent browsing area. You can lease a board, with discount rates depending upon the time and day you select.
Mount Maunganui Coastline in New Zealand
Mount Maunganui Coastline late on a great autumn afternoon.
Moturiki (Recreation Island) is a tiny island available by means of a manufactured land bridge from Mount Maunganui Coastline. You can see the island in the photos above. The blowhole shoots seawater up at high tide on days with wild browse.
We visited on a tranquil day, so regardless of the proper timing, there was no sprinkle. However, the island has a beautiful nature walk, offering a lot of rock pools and also endless views.
Blow opening on Leisure Island at Mt Maunganui New Zealand
If the sea were rougher on the day we existed, the water spout would certainly shoot up here.
A lot more points to do in Mount Manganui
Unwind and revitalize at warm salt-water pools (or if you have toddlers, enjoy their water slides). Go here to look for discount rates.
Take a self-guided street art crawl as well as discover jobs from well-known road artists like Askew One, Flox, or Andrew Steel.
Take place a led snorkelling adventure.
View the sundown behind Mount Maunganui.
Tauranga is the largest city in the Bay of Lots. Tauranga harbour invites virtually a quarter-million cruise ship site visitors yearly, and the port of Tauranga is now the largest cruise port destination in New Zealand, as well as continually elected the favourite.
If you are showing up by means of cruise ship, be sure to look into our recommended excursions reduced on the page. If you are NOT showing up using cruise liner as well as your strategies are versatile, you may intend to examine the port of Tauranga cruise ship timetable and stay clear of congested days.
Evening kayak to see glow worms
The thrill of night kayaking as well as the magic of radiance worms made our kayak tour on McLaren Lake a really unforgettable occasion. Just recently, we discovered discount rates on the exact same Waimarino radiance worm kayak scenic tour relying on the day you choose.
If you have youngsters in your party, make a complete day of it by investing the mid-day at Waimarino Water and also Adventure Park. Click on this link for offers on a family pass.
Kayaks being set up for the Waimarino Kayak Glow Worm Tour in the Bay of Plenty New Zealand
The kayaks were set up for our radiance worm tour while we (individuals) enjoyed red wine, cheese, as well as the sunset. This is one of the most effective points to do in Tauranga. Review our complete evaluation of the night here: Tauranga Nightlife: Think About a Kayak Radiance Worm Excursion
Discover Tauranga road art
Like Mount Maunganui, Tauranga has outstanding road art. You can pick up a free street art map at any type of i-SITE or see it right here.
Interactive street art in Tauranga New Zealand
The pictures on the right are interactive. In the top photo, Jeff and I are resting on a seat as well as Cupid is shooting an arrowhead in our instructions. In the lower one, I am standing in the space left in between the wings.
Be thrilled by the Tauranga Art Gallery
Tauranga Art Gallery is a remarkable regional art museum featuring a collection of historical and also contemporary art in a modern-day structure. It is open each day and admission is cost-free.
Socialize on the Hair
One of the very best points to do in Tauranga is to socialize downtown on the Hair. We select to have coffee at a coffee shop on Dock Road. There is shopping, cafes, dining establishments, the art gallery, as well as much more in this contemporary part of the city
Swim with wild dolphins
This five-hour boat trip supplies a possibility to check out wild dolphins or to in fact enter the water as well as swim with them. Acclaimed guides keep both you and the pets safe. All needed gear is consisted of, but you will certainly intend to bring your cam. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with wild dolphins.
For those that prefer to stay out of the water, look into this dolphin and also wildlife cruise ship. Additionally a half-day adventure, there are discount rate alternatives on some days.
Beachfront play ground and water park
If you’re taking a trip with children, there are a lot of things to do in Tauranga with kids. Among the most effective is a gigantic waterfront playground with climbing up structures, water play, and also swings.
At the waterside edge of the park, there are bronze sculptures of Hairy Maclary as well as his staff of 5 bizarre canines. The Hairy Maclary collection of children’s books were written by Tauranga author Dame Lynley Dodd. Use the midtown Tauranga Art Fan’s Walk map to find the city’s amazing sculptures.
In summer, there is a Tauranga water park. Declaring to be New Zealand’s biggest drifting waterpark, it covers my summer season listing of fun things to do in Tauranga with youngsters.
Various other things to do in the Bay of Lots
Other than being a coastline neighborhood, there are a few various other interesting as well as one-of-a-kind things to do in the Bay of Lots.
Kiwifruit Nation
We loved our kiwifruit plantation scenic tour. Enable a bit of additional time to see the coffee shop after the tour for samples and afterwards obtain an inside story of kiwifruit ice cream.
Hobbiton
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan, a tour from Tauranga to Hobbiton is the most convenient means to discover the Shire. However, if more than happy to drive on your own to Matamata (45-minute drive), you may wish to purchase your Hobbiton tickets beforehand. Absolutely nothing is even worse than getting here only to find that they are sold out for the day.
Browse through Rotorua and explore a Māori village
If you have not consisted of Rotorua as a location on your travels to New Zealand, after that you might intend to take a scenic tour to this geothermal region.
Inspect price and also examines on this Rotorua highlights excursion from Tauranga.
White Island volcano
Update: White Island erupted on December 9, 2019. Right now, all scenic tours to the island have been put on hold.
White Island is New Zealand’s (and also possibly the world’s) most active aquatic volcano. Some compare the lunar landscape and also active geothermal vents to their photo of strolling on the moon. The Māori name ‘Te Puia o Whakaari’ converts to ‘the significant volcano’.
At 50 kilometres off the Bay of Plenty shore, White Island boat or helicopter trips were fairly popular before the eruption. Some White Island airborne scenic tours are still running, yet directly, I would certainly avoid them as there are sufficient other remarkable things to do in the Bay of Plenty. For that other-worldly atmosphere, head to Rotorua’s Wai-o-Tapu or Waimangu Volcanic Valley.
