The activities and attractions on hand for visitors to the coastal Bay of Plenty vary from adventurous activities such as swimming with dolphins to walks in historic and scenic spots. Here are some suggestions of things to do while you’re in the region.

For more details about these activities and more:

visit http://www.bayofplentynz.com/

or ring the Tauranga i-SITE visitor centre on 07 578 8103 to book these activities and more.

Adventure

Views of White Island

Photo courtesy of Tourism Bay of Plenty

• Go jetboating or on a 4 wheel drive adventure at Longridge Fun Park.

• Take a guided tour of White Island, an active marine volcano that’s full of bubbling mud pools, steaming craters and a mystic crater lake. You can access the island by launch with White Island Tours or by helicopter with Volcanic Air Safaris.

• Go on a dolphin watching trip – you may even get to swim with the friendly Common Dolphins with Dolphin Seafaris (powercat), Butler’s Swim (sailboat) with Dolphins or Dolphins with a Difference (catamaran).

• Enjoy a scenic flight above the beautiful Bay of Plenty. Pick your destination and let Aerius Helicopters show you the best sights from up high in the sky.

• Hop on a blokart for an exciting thrill. The locally made land sail will see you flying around the purpose-built track at Blokart Heaven in Papamoa.

• Get airborne on a parasailing excursion for an exciting view over the coast with Big Sky Parasail.

• Skydive in one of the most scenic drop zones on the North Island with Tauranga Tandem Skydive.

• Let a friendly horse take you around the region’s scenic sights with Briar’s Seaside Ride Horse Treks.

• Get out in the great outdoors with a hunting or archery at Experience Outdoors NZ or try claybird shooting with Equine Sporting Clays.

• Go paintballing or try high and low ropes courses at Valley Outdoor Centre.

Water fun

Photo courtesy of Tourism Bay of Plenty

• Enjoy a guided kayaking trip in the Tauranga Harbour, Wairoa River or Lake McLaren with Waimarino. There’s even a kayak slide to try out.

• For an exciting adventure join a white-water rafting trip on the scenic Wairoa River, which has several grade five rapids.

• Go big game fishing with a number of local charter.

• Enjoy a scenic boat cruise of the harbour and outlying islands.

• Try your hand at sailing or windsurfing with Elements Watersports.

Family fun

The main surf beach with the twin towers in the background

Photo courtesy of Tourism Bay of Plenty

• Take the kids to Baywave Aquatic Centre where they can enjoy a hydroslide and wave pool. There’s also a spa, sauna and steam room, plus a café onsite.

• Head to McLaren Falls Park to see the large range of friendly animals at Marshalls Animal Park. Kids can hand feed some of the animals, ride a flying fox and go for a pony ride.

Local flavour

Photo courtesy of Tourism Bay of Plenty

• Learn all about the kiwifruit at Kiwi360 in Te Puke on a guided tour on a kiwicart. You can taste all sorts of kiwifruit products in the gift shop or café.

• Taste the fruit of labour by the region’s honey bees at the Comvita Visitor Centre in Paengaroa or Mossops Honey in Tauranga and try out a range of honey products.

• Learn about the region’s history at the Elms Mission House.

• Try the Bay of Plenty’s wines and local fare at two award-winning wineries: Morton Estate in Katikati and Mills Reef in Tauranga. Both offer free wine tasting.

• Museums on offer include the unique Surf Museum, Classic Flyers and the Katikati Heritage Museum.

• Learn about the strong Maori culture in the region on a trip with Mauao Tours or Ataahua Tours or with a visit to Paparoa Marae.

Relaxation

The popular Hot Pools at the base of the Mount

Photo courtesy of Tourism Bay of Plenty

• Take a dip in one of the many hot pools in the area, which include Fernland Spa, the Mount Maunganui Hot Salt Water Pools and Welcome Bay Hot Pools.

• Visit a local spa for unique treatments - Aquavida in Tauranga or Dreamers in Katikati.

• Take a stroll in the Katikati Bird Gardens, a scenic garden set on the edge of the Tauranga Harbour with more than 50 types of birds.

Scenic walks

On the way up and over Mauao (The Mount)

Photo courtesy of Tourism Bay of Plenty

• The walks up and around Mauao (Mount Maunganui) are popular with locals and visitors, and hundreds of thousands of people use the tracks each year. Choose the base track walk (3.4km) and enjoy great views; or make the summit climb (45-60 minutes one way) for panoramic views of the region.

• Visit Te Puna Quarry Park for a range of walks with unique artwork along the way.

• Tauranga City offers a number of scenic walks, from the historical city walk to the Waikareao Estuary.

• Outside the city, try some tramps in the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park to see sights such as stunning waterfalls and kauri trees.

• Katikati's Haiku Pathway is a popular 2km walk along the Uterera River.

• Opt for the scenic Orokawa Reserve walkway starting in Waihi Beach to two private bays ideal for surfing.

Local tours

• Let someone else drive you around to the region’s best sights – choose from tasting tours, heritage tours and more with The Touring Company, Mount Classic Tours or Tauranga Tasting Tours.

EVENTS

Want to make the most of your time in the Bay of Plenty? A range of events will be held before and after the Port of Tauranga Half Ironman. Visit www.bayofplentynz.com/events.