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Bay of Plenty

for the sun and surf !

alt.Typical-Bay-of-Plenty-Beach.jpg

The Bay of Plenty covers an area from Waihi through to Opotiki. Inland Kawarau, a timber milling town is most visited by tourists for the lovely Tarawera Falls. The Bay of Plenty coastline features a number of beautiful beaches, all popular for holiday makers. Thus they all offer the facilities beach goers require –

ACCOMMODATION - excellent camping grounds ........several right on the beach fronts, motels, apartments, B&B’s and backpackers
EATING OUT - cafes, restaurants, takeaways, bars
ACTIVITIES – swimming, kayaking, kiteboarding, surfing, blokart, horse riding, cycling, tramping, fishing
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES - Visit Volcanic White Island , Swimming with Dolphins, Whale Watching, Game Deep Sea Fishing

Driving Routes - Auckland to Opotiki

Driving south from Auckland along the Pacific Highway Coastal Route you come to Waihi Township.

Waihi – As you drive through the avenue of mature palms most are unaware the goldmining in the hills behind the town are one of it’s main industries.

Once through the town you can either carry on along Route 2 to Katikati where you can enjoy more than 40 murals and visit the Katikati Bird Gardens and Cafe.

Or detour to Waihi Beach, another beautiful holiday destination with many typical traditional New Zealand baches.............as we call our beach houses, mixed in with the new and more up market holiday homes. Carry on to Athenree where you could take a break and overnight at the Athenree Hotsprings and Holiday Park.

From here you join up with Route 2 and on to Tauranga.

Tauranga - is the central focus of the Bay of Plenty and a popular retirement city, with a fast growing population. The town centre has a great selection of waterfront eating places, bars and entertainment. The shopping is excellent for a small city.

Mount Maunganui - However it is Mount Maunganui that is the biggest drawcard to Tauranga for holidaymakers and travellers. Despite technically being a suburb of Tauranga it is very much a destination in it’s own right and has always attracted a huge influx of local New Zealander’s over the holiday periods. “The Mount” or Mauou sits at the end of the peninsula with a fabulous surf beach on one side and a very lovely quieter inner harbour beach Pilot Bay on the other side.

Between the two is the Hot Salt water Pools, and the Camping Ground. The inner side of the street is lined with cafes and restaurants making for a compact spot featuring sea, surf, sand, walks, swimming, hotpools and eating.............what more could you want in a great holiday destination?

Papamoa – is an extension of Mount Maunganui beach. If you want to try blokart this is the place! From here you can either carry on along the coast to Maketu for some beach Horse Trekking, or the Owl Anchorage Gardens and Museum at Pukehina. Otherwise from Papamoa take the main Route 2 to Te Puke.

Whakatane - From Te Puke take Route 2 to Whakatane. The local Ohope Beach is another beautiful 11 kilometre stretch of surf beach. It is worth staying a day or more in Whakatane to do some of the activities.....especially the tour out to the active volcanic

White Island - Whaakari
Whale watching
Swimming with Dolphins
Deep sea Fishing

From here you can take Route 30 through Kawarau back to Rotorua or Taupo Or continue on to Opotiki .

Opotiki - is the eastern tip of Bay of Plenty .

From here you can tour round the East Cape or to Gisborne via the Waioeka Gorge or East Cape .

CLICK HERE to go to TAURANGA

CLICK HERE for MOUNT MAUNGANUI

Bay of Plenty to Holidays in New Zealand-Home