Bay of Plenty

Situated on the East Coast of the North Island, the Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s favourite holiday destinations for travellers and locals alike. With 125km of sandy beaches, friendly locals, and a relaxed, easy going vibe it’s easy to see why it’s such a popular choice.

Towns in the Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty is comprised of a number of towns, cities and villages. From Te Puke, the home of the kiwifruit growing industry which even boasts a kiwifruit theme park, to one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand; Whakatane, there are plenty of things to do in the Bay of Plenty to satisfy every holidaymaker.

The main city in the Bay of Plenty is Tauranga. Tauranga is New Zealand’s fifth largest city and enjoys a delightful waterfront location. The town has a rich and interesting maritime history, making it the perfect destination for those with a love of all things aquatic.

If you’re keen to get out on the open water then make your way to the harbour which surround the town. From here you can book dolphin-watching tours, or head out for a day’s sailing or fishing – the world is your oyster!

When you visit, be sure to take a stroll along the Strand and soak up the scenery waterside. Along this stretch you’ll find cafes, restaurants, and bars as well as much of the local nightlife, should you be looking for it! Tauranga is also a great base from which to visit one of the area’s most popular beach towns; Mount Manganui.

Don’t Miss

  •  A trail walk around ‘the Mount’, or climb to the top for stunning views of the Pacific Ocean
  • A saunter around the towns boutique shops which offer a wide selection of  special gifts and souvenirs, , all carefully crafted by local and national artists
  • R and R on one of the beaches or a swim in the surf on Main Beach
  • A trip to Katihati, decorated with art and paintings that reflect the town’s colourful history.

Holiday Hot Spot: “The Mount”, Mt. Manganui

Mount Manganui or ‘The Mount’, as its affectionately known as by the locals, is a small town on the peninsula just north of Tauranga. Popular with surfers, the Mount itself offers a great easy walk, either right around the base, or up to the top where you’ll be rewarded with great views of the coastlines and on clear days, the Kaimai Mountain ranges.

If hiking’s not your thing, then the beautiful white sand beach should be enough to keep you occupied. A real swimming and surfing mecca; take a dip in the sea, book a surfing lesson, or simply relax on the beach for the day. When you’re done, retreat to some of the delightful restaurants, cafés and bars for a bite to eat and a glass of something refreshing.

Discover things to do in Mount Maunganui with Silver Fern Holidays today.

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Insider Tips


If you’ve had an active day at the beach, or undertaken the Mount Maunganui walk, Ian Smart from Guided Footprints suggests a relaxing soak in one of the hot pools situated at the base of Mount Maunganui itself.

Hand picked accommodation


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