Location: Bay of Plenty Region
Top Things to do in Bay of Plenty Region
Top Restaurants in Bay of Plenty Region
Countries
Top 10 Things to do Good for Kids 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. Mount Maunganui Summit Track
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,720 reviews
Reviewed By sussan59 - Auckland Central, New Zealand
Make sure you've got good shoes on and comfortable clothing, this is a great workout, especially for the baby boomer generation. The track was very dry the day we climbed the mount, ergo it was quite slippery, and we had to watch our step going up. The views once you reach the summit are stunning. The sense of achievement feels pretty good too! Going down, we chose the steep steps which were also a challenge, and our thighs felt it the following day. Overall a great experience!
2. Waimarino Adventure Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 709 reviews
Waimarino Adventure Park is situated on the banks of the Wairoa River just 10 minutes from Tauranga city. This tranquil paradise is based around the sport of kayaking and over the past 35 years, Waimarino has become Tauranga’s premier kayaking & recreation location. Waimarino Adventure Park has New Zealand's only kayak slide, The Blob, kayaks, rock climbing, diving boards, Italian Pedallos and plenty more. Grab your swimwear and visit us for a great day of action & fun.Waimarino Kayak Tours offer a great range of kayak tours in Tauranga & Rotorua region including magical glow-worm experiences, fantastic scenery, lake-edge thermal hot pools, catering and transport.Enjoy light refreshments & NZ wine on the edge of Lake McLaren at sunset, surrounded by the ducks &swans. Glide across the calm waters at twilight, before entering our enchanting glow-worm canyon. Our glow-worm kayak tour is truly unique, and a fantastic ‘must do’ experience while in NZ. This glow-worm kayak tour experience is not available in any other location globally. ONLY in Tauranga!Enjoy our kayak tour on scenic Lake Rotoiti, paddle past pohutakawas, (NZ’s Christmas tree) cascading native bush& abundant birdlife along the lake edge. Classic kiwi holiday homes nestle amongst the cliffs & coves. Enjoy the myths and legends of the Maori people linked to Lake Rototiti, before entering the glow-worm cave. Cross the lake to the Manupirua natural thermal hot-pools to relax and reflect on your exhilarating experiences.Please see our website for more information about our park and kayak tour options.
Reviewed By stitches2016 - West Sussex, United Kingdom
Had a brilliant evening!! Cheese and wine on arrival by the river. Then we kayaked along stunning vegetation and trees into some caves to see the glow worms and on our return journey we were fortunate enough to have a full moon to light our way back in the stillness of the evening with occasional night sounds of birds! A very memorable experience.
3. Karangahake Windows Walk
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 62 reviews
Always check the website for changes that might affect your trip.
Reviewed By N7718OPpaulb - Chesterfield, United Kingdom
This easy walk through the gorge and tunnels is a must do if you are in the area. Good tracks along the river and interesting industrial history. Kids loved the tunnels. Highly recommended
4. 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
5. 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.
6. 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.
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. Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,651 reviews
"One of the 20 Most Surreal Places in the World" Trip Advisor THOUSANDS OF YEARS IN THE MAKING, explore spectacular nature at New Zealand's most colourful natural volcanic area. Walk at your own pace - view the unique Champagne Pool, Sinter Terrace formations, Steaming Ground, Bubbling Mud, Expansive Vistas, Huge Volcanic Craters. The Lady Knox Geyser erupts daily at 10.15am. Excellent facilities at modern Visitor Centre. We are a cashless site, accepting all major credit and EFTPOS cards.
Reviewed By C0nstantlyOnTheG0 - Newcastle, Australia
It's nine years since I've been here and this time I returned with more family. Waiotapu is totally unique and offers vistas of bubbling mud pools, the Lady Knox Geyser, craters and an incredible geothermal park. In June 2009, we visited on a blue sky day and the hues of colour were picture perfect for photography; as good as what you see on the website. This time round, we were shrouded in fog and the colours in the park were not at their best. If you're in the area for a couple of days, best to visit when the sun is shining. We spent approximately 2 hours here. The walkways were easy to get around; some were boardwalks, others were dirt track and there were some sections with stairs. If you wish to see the Geyser you need to be there before 10.15am. Waiotapu is approximately 25 minutes south of Rotorua and is a unique place to visit in New Zealand, if not the world.
9. Lake Rotorua
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,055 reviews
The largest of a dozen lakes formed by volcanic activity, this clear, calm lake offers cruises, kayaking and sailing, as well as great trout fishing.
Reviewed By 716sachink - Plainview, United States
Lake Rotorua is a fabulous lake and can be reached by a short walk from the city center. It was a very pleasant experience just walking on the pathway at the edge of the lake and watching some interesting wild life including some black swans. Certainly would very highly recommend Lake Rotorua to any traveler.
10. 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.
