Things to do in Bay of Plenty
60 places worth stopping for and 24 places to stay on a road trip through Bay of Plenty.
See and do
- Walk
Walk · Mount Maunganui
Mauao (Mount Maunganui) summit track
Steep 40-minute climb to a summit with views over the harbour, the beach and Matakana Island.
Hot pool · WaiotapuHidden gem
Kerosene Creek
Free, warm stream with a small waterfall and natural bathing pools in the bush.
- Geothermal
Geothermal · Waimangu
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Walk down a valley still steaming from the 1886 Tarawera eruption, ending at a lake.
- Geothermal
Geothermal · Whakarewarewa
Te Puia and Pohutu Geyser
Pohutu geyser plus a Maori arts school and kiwi house, five minutes from the city centre.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · TaraweraHidden gem
Tarawera Falls
Waterfall that bursts straight out of a cliff, reached on a forest walk from Kawerau side.
Geothermal · Tikitere
Hell's Gate geothermal park and mud spa
Bubbling mud, steaming vents and a mud bath, with a big hot waterfall on the loop.
History · Whakarewarewa
Whakarewarewa Living Village
Guided tour through a village where families still cook and bathe in natural geothermal heat.
Walk · Rotorua
Redwoods (Whakarewarewa Forest)
Towering California redwoods with free walking and mountain biking tracks.
Hot pool · Rotorua
Polynesian Spa
Lakeside hot pools in the Government Gardens, with views over Lake Rotorua.
History · Lake Tarawera
Buried Village of Te Wairoa
Excavated village buried by the 1886 eruption, with a short bush walk to a waterfall.
- Walk
Walk · MuruparaHidden gem
Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tane forest walks
Big podocarp forest with a waterfall walk and giant ancient trees.
- Beach
Beach · Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui main beach
Long surf beach right under Mauao, with a lively cafe strip behind it.
Activity · Okere Falls
Kaituna River rafting at Tutea Falls
Raft down the Kaituna and drop over the 7 metre Tutea Falls.
- Beach
Beach · Ohope
Ohope Beach
11 km of golden sand with pohutukawa along the back, one of the Bay's best beaches.
Waterfall · Okere Falls
Okere Falls track
Short bush walk along the Kaituna River to a series of waterfalls and a cave.
Beach · Waihi BeachHidden gem
Ōrokawa Bay
A pōhutukawa-fringed bay, a 30 minute walk from the north end of Waihi Beach.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · MinginuiHidden gem
Waiatiu Falls
Easy walk through big podocarp forest to a viewing platform over Waiatiu Falls.
- Walk
Walk · PapamoaHidden gem
Papamoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park
Hilltop walks over old pa terraces with views from the Mount to the Kaimai Range.
- Lake
Lake · TaurangaHidden gem
McLaren Falls Park
Lakeside park with short bush walks, kayaking, a small waterfall and a campground.
- Geothermal
Geothermal · RotoruaHidden gem
Kuirau Park
Free city park full of steaming vents, bubbling mud and a free foot bath.
- History
History · RotoruaHidden gem
Ohinemutu village and St Faith's Church
Lakeside Maori village with a carved meeting house and a church with a Christ in Maori dress window.
Activity · Rotorua
Skyline Rotorua gondola and luge
Gondola up Mt Ngongotaha for lake views, then a luge ride down.
Lake · OkatainaHidden gem
Lake Okataina
Remote bush-fringed lake with walks, a quiet beach and great birdsong.
- Beach
Beach · Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach
Long, soft white-sand beach with surf and a laid-back town behind it.
- Garden
Garden · Rotorua
Government Gardens and Rotorua Museum
Tudor-style bathhouse and formal gardens beside the lake, free to wander.
- Walk
Walk · HamuranaHidden gem
Hamurana Springs
Crystal-clear spring pools under redwoods, one of the cleanest free stops near Rotorua.
- Lake
Lake · Rotorua
Blue Lake (Tikitapu) loop walk
Bright blue crater lake with an easy loop track and good swimming in summer.
- Lake
Lake · OkarekaHidden gem
Lake Okareka and Boyes Beach
Small, calm crater lake with a sandy swimming beach, ten minutes from Rotorua.
Walk · Lake TaraweraHidden gem
Tarawera Trail to Hot Water Beach
Day walk or bike ride from Lake Okareka to Lake Tarawera with a hot beach at the end.
- Scenic drive
Scenic drive · OpotikiHidden gem
Waioeka Gorge scenic drive
Winding SH2 road through a forested gorge between Opotiki and Gisborne.
- Activity
Activity · OpotikiHidden gem
Motu Trails Dunes Trail
Flat, scenic cycle trail from Opotiki through dunes and farmland.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · Rotorua
Secret Spot Hot Tubs
Private hot tubs hidden in bush on the edge of Rotorua, hired by the hour.
- Waterfall
Waterfall · Te PukeHidden gem
Whataroa Falls
A cascading waterfall in Ōtanewainuku forest, reached by a two-hour return bush walk.
- History
History · Raukokore
Raukokore church
A tiny white Anglican church on a rocky point beside the sea.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · Rotorua
Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa
A quiet, adults-only lakeside hot-pool spa on Lake Rotorua's shoreline.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · OhopeHidden gem
Tauwhare Pa lookout
Quick walk to a pa site above Ohiwa Harbour with views to Whakaari and Hikurangi.
- History
History · TaurangaHidden gem
The Elms Mission House
One of the oldest surviving buildings in the Bay of Plenty, set in quiet gardens.
- Activity
Activity · Ngongotaha
Agrodome farm show
Classic New Zealand sheep show and farm tour, with the zorb next door.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · NgongotahaHidden gem
Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre
Small centre with NZ falcons, owls and other raptors, and daily flying displays.
Museum · Tauranga
Classic Flyers Museum
Big collection of restored classic aircraft on the edge of Tauranga Airport.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · AthenreeHidden gem
Athenree Hot Springs
Private-pool style hot springs on the edge of Tauranga Harbour, with a campground attached.
- Beach
Beach · MaketuHidden gem
Maketu estuary and beach
Quiet settlement at the mouth of the Kaituna with a big estuary and a surf beach.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · Rotorua
Rainbow Springs Nature Park
Native bird park with kiwi, tuatara and trout, built around a stream-fed spring.
- Lake
Lake · RotomaHidden gem
Lake Rotoma
Clear, deep lake on the quiet side of the Rotorua lakes, good for swimming.
- Lake
Lake · RerewhakaaituHidden gem
Lake Rerewhakaaitu
Shallow farm-ringed lake with big views to Mount Tarawera and a lakeside campground.
- Hot pool
Hot pool · AwakeriHidden gem
Awakeri Hot Springs
Local hot pools beside the highway with a campground and a quiet vibe.
- Beach
Beach · Papamoa
Papamoa Beach
Wide, quieter beach than the Mount, with dunes and a long walk in either direction.
- Town
Town · Tauranga
Tauranga waterfront and The Strand
Harbourside strip of cafes, bars and boardwalk, easy for lunch and a stroll.
Town · Katikati
Katikati murals
Small orchard town with dozens of outdoor murals along the main street and lanes.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · RotoruaHidden gem
Kawaha Point lake lookout
Small reserve on the lake edge with great sunset views over Mokoia Island.
- Beach
Beach · WaiotaheHidden gem
Waiotahe Beach
Quiet, broad beach between Ohope and Opotiki with big skies and few people.
- Garden
Garden · OpotikiHidden gem
Hukutaia Domain
Local arboretum and rare tree collection with a famous giant puriri.
- Wildlife
Wildlife · RotoruaHidden gem
Sulphur Bay wildlife refuge
Steaming lake edge covered in nesting gulls, a short walk from the city centre.
- Viewpoint
Viewpoint · WhakataneHidden gem
Kohi Point lookout and walkway
Headland walk above Whakatane with views over the coast to Whakaari.
Viewpoint · Waihi BeachHidden gem
Bowentown Heads
A headland walk at the south end of Waihi Beach with harbour and island views.
Waterfall · Te Puke
Kaiate Falls
Tiered falls with three pools near Te Puke, but check the swim warning before you dip.
Beach · Waihau BayHidden gem
Waihau Bay
Quiet fishing bay at the end of a side road, with a long beach.
- Beach
Beach · Whanarua BayHidden gem
Whanarua Bay
A quiet curve of coast between Te Kaha and Raukokore.
- Beach
Beach · MaraehakoHidden gem
Maraehako Bay
A secluded bay that SH35 regulars rate as a favourite.
- Walk
Walk · MatatāHidden gem
Matatā wildlife refuge
A short lagoon walk with birdlife and views to Whakaari/White Island.
Food stops
- Food truck
Food truck · OhiwaHidden gem
Ohiwa Oyster Farm
Fresh oysters and seafood straight from the harbour, eaten at a picnic table.
- Bakery
Bakery · MaketuHidden gem
Maketu Pies
Village pie shop that locals and road trippers detour for.
Restaurant · Rotorua
Eat Streat Rotorua
Pedestrian strip of restaurants and bars in the heart of Rotorua.
- Café
Café · Rotorua
Fat Dog Cafe
Long-running central cafe with big plates and quirky decor.
- Farm shop
Farm shop · Te Puke
Kiwi360
Kiwifruit capital stop with tastings, a shop and a cafe on the highway.
Café · Okere FallsHidden gem
Okere Falls Store cafe
Roadside store and cafe by the falls track, handy for a coffee after the walk.
Places to stay
- Lodge
Lodge · Lake Tarawera
Solitaire Lodge
Nine-suite luxury lodge on a private Lake Tarawera peninsula.
Campground · OkarekaHidden gem
Lake Okareka campsite (DOC)
Lakeside campsite with tent and non-powered sites close to Rotorua.
- Campground
Campground · MuruparaHidden gem
Mid Okahu Road campsite (Whirinaki)
Free, grassy campsite beside a stream inside Whirinaki forest.
Campground · Lake TaraweraHidden gem
Hot Water Beach campsite (Lake Tarawera)
Boat- and trail-access campsite on Lake Tarawera with a hot sand beach.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Mount Maunganui
Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park
Camping right beside the beach and Mauao base.
- Campground
Campground · PikowaiHidden gem
Pikowai Campground
Council beachfront camping under pōhutukawa cliffs on SH2, from NZ$26.50 a site.
- Campground
Campground · Welcome BayHidden gem
Welcome Bay Hot Pools and Campground
Campsites and cabins with two geothermal pools, no chlorine, 20 minutes from Mount Maunganui.
- Campground
Campground · TaurangaHidden gem
Fernland Spa
Family-run thermal spa with a bush campground and cabins five minutes from central Tauranga.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Waiotahe Beach
Island View Holiday Park
Beachfront park near Ōpōtiki with a pool, cafe and cycle access to the Ōpōtiki trails.
- Campground
Campground · RerewhakaaituHidden gem
Lake Rerewhakaaitu campsite (Ash Pit Road)
Large, simple lakeside campground with mountain views, 51 unpowered sites.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Rotorua
Blue Lake Top 10 Holiday Park
Lakeside holiday park beside Blue Lake with powered sites and cabins.
Holiday park · Rotorua
Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park
Holiday park with thermal pools close to Whakarewarewa.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Papamoa
Papamoa Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Big family holiday park just back from the beach.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Ohope
Ohope Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Holiday park behind Ohope Beach with sites and cabins.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach Top 10 Holiday Park
Camping near the surf beach at Waihi.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · MaketuHidden gem
Bledisloe Holiday Park
Estuary-edge park at Maketu with waterfront sites, cabins and kayaking out the back.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Mount MaunganuiHidden gem
Cosy Corner Summer Holiday Park
Family-run seasonal park across the road from Mount's ocean beach.
- Freedom camping
Freedom camping · OmanawaHidden gem
TECT Park KiwiCamp
Low-cost camper facility in a forest park between Tauranga and Rotorua.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Omokoroa
Omokoroa Top 10 Holiday Park
Park with its own thermal pools on the Omokoroa peninsula.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Opotiki
Opotiki Holiday Park
Simple holiday park in Opotiki, a good base for the Motu Trails and East Cape.
- Holiday park
Holiday park · Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach holiday park (Tasman Holiday Parks)
A holiday park at the north end of Waihi Beach, close to the Orokawa Bay track.
- Motel
Motel · Te Kaha
Te Kaha Beach Hotel
Affordable beachfront rooms with sea views and sunsets.
Lodge · Waihau Bay
Waihau Bay Lodge
Lodge with rooms, cabins and a spot for campervans at Waihau Bay.
- Lodge
Lodge · Te PukeHidden gem
Kiwi Corral
Budget dorms and cabins on a Te Puke farm, with kitchen and lounge.
Plan the drive, not just the stops
Roadtrip works out what the drive costs in fuel for your car, splits it into days with the best stops and places to sleep, and finds the cheapest fuel on the way.
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