The Bay of Plenty region is a stunning coastal region on the North Island of New Zealand. It is named after the bay that stretches from the Coromandel Peninsula to Cape Runaway, and is known for its sunny climate, beautiful beaches, and incredible kiwifruit orchards! The Bay of Plenty is home to a variety of natural attractions, including fantastic surf beaches, geothermal springs, lakes, and forests.
An Overview of the Bay of Plenty Region of New Zealand
| Bay of Plenty Location: | The Bay of Plenty is a large bight along the northern coast of New Zealand‘s North Island. |
| Bordering Regions: | Waikato, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, and Manawatu-Whanganui |
| Region Size (km2): | 12,231 km2 |
| Population: | 354,100 (as of June 2023) |
| Main Cities and Towns: | Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatane |
| Most Popular Tourist Destinations: | Mount Maunganui Rotorua Whakaari | White Island Ohiwa Harbour Waihi Beach |
Highlights of the Bay of Plenty Region
- Tauranga
- Mount Maunganui
- Papamoa Beach
- Te Puki
- Rotorua
- Okere Falls
- Lake Rotoiti
- Whakatāne
- Ōhope Beach
- Ōpōtiki
- Whakaari | White Island
- Waihau Bay
- Cape Runaway
- Te Urewera National Park
- Raukumara Forest Park
- Papamoa Hills Forest Park
Places to Visit in the Bay of Plenty
Tauranga
Tauranga is the largest city in the Bay of Plenty, and is a fantastic base for exploring the stunning region! The city is known for its sunny climate, beautiful beaches and surfing culture, and has many things to do and see while you’re here.
Mount Maunganui
One of the most popular destinations in Tauranga is Mount Maunganui, which is located on a golden peninsula that juts out into the bay. It is named after the extinct volcano Mauao | Mount Maunganui, which dominates the skyline and rises over 232 meters from the sea! This mountain has some beautiful walking tracks up to the summit, which offer incredible views over the golden coastline and the city of Tauranga below. The superb of Mount Maunganui is awesome to explore, and is famous for its surf beach, hot salt water pools, and variety of cafes and restaurants!
Papamoa Beach
Just south of Mount Maunganui is the stunning Papamoa Beach, a 14 km-long stretch of white sand beach that is known for its fantastic swimming and surfing! This beach has a lovely relaxed vibe and friendly community and is a lot less busy than the touristy beaches around the Mount. It is also close to the Papamoa Hills Regional Park, which has some fantastic hiking trails and incredible scenery.
Te Puke
Te Puke is a small rural town in the Bay of Plenty, around 25-minutes drive south of Tauranga. This charming town is surrounded by beautiful kiwifruit and avocado orchards, and is known as the Kiwifruit Capital of the World! It is also nearby to the stunning Raparapahoe and Kaiate Falls.
Rotorua
In the heart of the region is Rotorua – one of the most popular destinations in the Bay of Plenty! This fascinating city is famous for its incredible geothermal activity, and is filled with geysers, hot springs, mud pools, and volcanic craters – making for a unique and interesting destination to explore! Rotorua is also a centre of Māori culture, with the Whakarewarewa – The Living Māori Village – giving visitors a chance to learn more about the incredible culture and history of the Maori people.
Okere Falls
On the northern shores of Lake Rotorua is the gorgeous Okere Falls scenic reserve. Okere Falls is a popular spot for fishing and bush walks, as well as rafting down the wild Kaituna River rapids!
Lake Rotoiti
Lake Rotoiti is a part of the Rotorua Lakes District, which comprises 18 lakes around Rotorua! These lakes were created through volcanic activity, and are stunning hidden gems in the Bay of Plenty region. Lake Rotoiti is a popular destination for boating, kayaking, and swimming, and can get busy in the summer months! It also has a natural attraction, the Manupirua Hot Springs, which are only accessible by boat.
Whakatāne
The charming town of Whakatāne is located along the golden Bay of Plenty coastline, at the mouth of the Whakatāne River. It is one of the sunniest towns on New Zealand, and is a hidden gem for outdoor enthusiasts! It has many scenic hiking and biking trails, including the Ngā Tapuwae o Toi coastal track to Ōhope Beach, and is known for its excellent fishing! Whakatāne is also the closest town to Whakaari/ White Island – an active volcano that can be visited on a boat or helicopter tour!
Ōhope Beach
East of Whakatāne is the stunning Ōhope Beach, which is one of the most popular and loved beaches in New Zealand! This stunning beach is a great place for swimming and fishing, and as a family holiday destination! Ōhope Beach is bordered by the Ōhiwa Harbour, a natural harbour that is popular with birdwatchers!
Ōpōtiki
Ōpōtiki is a rural coastal town in the eastern Bay of Plenty, located at the mouth of the Waioeka River. This town is a great base for travellers looking to explore the natural attractions of the district, such as the Motu Trails, the stunning Waioeka Gorge, and the remote East Cape!
Whakaari | White Island
Whakaari/White Island is an active volcano that lies about 50 km off the coast of Whakatāne, in the Bay of Plenty. It is New Zealand’s most active volcano, and one of the most accessible in the world – making it a must-see on your Bay of Plenty bucket list! White Island can be visited by boat or helicopter from Whakatāne, with guided tours that allow visitors to see the crater, the fumaroles, the sulphur deposits, and the incredible wildlife that live on the island!
East Cape
The East Cape is area that spans the easternmost point of the North Island of New Zealand, stretching from the Bay of Plenty to Gisborne. This area is a hidden gem of the North Island, with rugged and spectacular coastlines, rich Maori heritage, and charming coastal settlements.
Waihau Bay
Waihau Bay is a small coastal settlement along the rugged East Cape of the North Island. This beautiful bay is a remote and scenic place, with a long sandy beach, a rocky headland, and a sheltered harbour – which makes it popular for fishing, diving, and swimming! Waihau Bay‘s claim-to-fame is being the filming location for the movie Boy, which was directed by Taika Waititi.
Cape Runaway
At the furthest eastern point of the Bay of Plenty region is the rugged and remote Cape Runaway, with steep cliffs, rocky shores, and sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. This area is a place of historical significance for Māori, as it is the site of several pā and battles.
Bay of Plenty National Parks
The Bay of Plenty region is home to some of the North Island’s most beautiful and remote National Parks.
- Te Urewera National Park is the largest area of native forest in the North Island, and the ancestral home of the Tūhoe people. It has many hiking trails, hunting and fishing spots, and camping sites, and is a wild and remote national park to explore.
- Raukumara Forest Park is a forest park in the Bay of Plenty and Gisborne regions, covering a large area of the Raukumara Range. It is one of the most remote and rugged areas in New Zealand, with dense native forest, steep mountains, and wild rivers.
- Papamoa Hills Regional Park is a scenic park that overlooks the Pacific Ocean and the Bay of Plenty. It has a network of walking and biking tracks that lead to historical pā sites and panoramic views.
Bay of Plenty Weather
The Bay of Plenty is one of the sunniest regions in New Zealand, with an average of over 2000 hours of sunshine per year! This region has a maritime climate, with warm summers and cool winters, with the hottest month being February.
Airports in the Bay of Plenty
Tauranga Airport
The Tauranga Airport is a fantastic base for exploring Tauranga and the stunning Coromandel Peninsula. It offers flights to Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch daily.
Rotorua Airport
Rotorua Airport connects the Bay of Plenty with Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington, and is a fantastic gateway into the region.
Whakatane Airport
The Whakatane Airport is a small regional airport that offers flights to and from Auckland via Air Chathams. It is the gateway to Whakatane, as well as flights to White Island.
