Bay of Plenty

What to see

Mount Maunganui, the town and the volcanic cone above it, is the centrepiece. The walk to the summit takes about an hour return and gives a wide view over the coast, and the beach below is one of the best in the country. Tauranga across the harbour is the main city. The region grows most of New Zealand's kiwifruit, and some orchards run tours.

• The Mount Maunganui summit walk and beach
• Tauranga harbour and waterfront
• Kiwifruit orchard tours around Te Puke
• Boat trips to see dolphins offshore

Getting around

A car is handy, though Mount Maunganui and central Tauranga are walkable in themselves. Tauranga is about 2.5 to 3 hours from Auckland and roughly an hour from Rotorua, so the two pair well on a North Island loop. The main routes are easy sealed highways.

When to go

This is one of the sunniest regions, and summer is the obvious time for the beaches, though it is also the busiest. Late summer and early autumn stay warm with fewer crowds. The kiwifruit harvest runs roughly from March to May, when the orchards are at work.

Honest notes

White Island Flights advertises scenic flights to view Whakaari from Whakatāne Airport. This is an aerial experience, not an island landing; confirm operating conditions and the actual departure with the operator. White Island Flights.

Costs and practical tips

The beach, the Mount summit walk and the coastal paths are all free, which makes the Bay of Plenty an easy region on a budget. The hot saltwater pools at the foot of the Mount cost a few dollars and are worth it after the climb. Tauranga and Mount Maunganui have plenty of cafes and supermarkets. Parking near the Mount fills up on summer weekends, so arrive early or walk in from a little further out.

• The Mount base track is a flat, easy loop if the summit climb is too much
• Surf lessons run from Mount Maunganui beach for beginners
• Pāpāmoa, just east, has a long quieter beach if the Mount is crowded

Combining with Rotorua

The Bay of Plenty pairs naturally with Rotorua, about an hour inland, so many people base on the coast and day trip to the geothermal parks, or the other way around. Together the two give you beaches and volcanic country in a short, easy loop from either Auckland or the central North Island.

Good to know

Tauranga is about 2.5 to 3 hours by car from Auckland, and there are buses but a car gives you the beaches and orchards. The region is one of the sunniest in the country, so the UV is high in summer and sunscreen matters. Both Tauranga and Mount Maunganui have full supermarkets, cafes and services. Tap water is safe to drink, cards are accepted everywhere, and tipping is not expected.

If you are travelling with children, the calm harbour beaches and the flat Mount base walk suit younger families better than the steep summit climb. Out of the peak Christmas weeks the region is relaxed and good value.