Bay of Plenty
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Bathed in sunshine and blessed with a mild all year round climate the Bay of Plenty lives up to its name producing an abundance of fresh food from both the orchards and the sea. The beaches of Mt Maunganui are a magnet for surfers and holiday makers and stretch for miles. The pure white sand and surf of the main beach is overlooked by a funky selection of cafes and restaurants along Marine Parade. Self contained high rise apartments and holiday homes are all within walking distance of the beaches. The thin strip of land which ends at Mt Maunganui itself has surf beach on one side and a sheltered harbour on the other. There is a beautiful walkway both around and up the mountain with superb views of the coast. At the base of Mt Maunganui you can relax in one of the many natural hot pools. Shopaholics will love the eclectic mix of shops available in the Bay of Plenty.
Just park the car and wander up and down the main street for arts and crafts and plenty of pubs and hotels for a cool drink in down town Mt Maunganui. The City of Tauranga is a short drive across the bridge. The shopping is well spread out and connected by cobblestone walkways. The Strand is the oldest part of Tauranga’s heart and runs along parallel with the wharf and harbour. The eateries along this stretch are many and are a fine example of the delicious dining The Bay of Plenty is famous for. The cafes and restaurants are wall to wall and all sprawl out across the pavement. Each one has an ambience of it’s own, making choosing one the hardest part.
The offshore islands of the Bay of Plenty provide a choice of fishing and diving adventures. Mayor Island is a designated national park and as a result has some of the most spectacular diving in the area. Charters depart from Tauranga harbour. Tauranga is also the second largest port in New Zealand, so the harbour is alive with activity. The orchards of the nearby towns of TePuke and Katikati produce Kiwifruit, Citrus and Avocado for the Bay of Plenty, with Te Puke owning the right to the title of Kiwifruit Capital of the World. You can take a tour at Kiwi 360 to learn about the kiwifruit industry. Katikati is known as the Mural town and has a mural trail which passes by life size paintings depicting the history of the town. Between Katikati and Tauranga there is a hot springs park set in Natural bushland with a camping ground. The walkways here will take you past some of the oldest Kauri tree stands in the country. Launches and Helicopters take regular tours out to White Island, an amazing Marine volcano which is still active.
Located on the North Island, The Bay of Plenty is a Garden and Art capital and holds the Bayleys Garden and artfest in mid November. Action activities include blo karting, jet boating, white water rafting and game fishing. Local wineries abound and the local seafood is to die for. Try the scallops and crayfish caught from the Bay’s own waters. Exploring the Bay of Plenty will leave you wanting to come back for plenty more.