What to do in Bay of Plenty Region

Activities, attractions and tours

A coastal landscape with a prominent hill, numerous boats on the water, and a cityscape in the background.
A coastal landscape with a grassy hillside, a beach, and a sunset.
A geothermal hot spring with clear blue water, a red-brown edge, and steam rising from the water.
A beach with sailboats, a grassy area with flags, and a hill in the background.
A coastal town with a bay, boats, buildings, and a hilly landscape.

Things to do

get up close

Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour

£53
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Nocturnal adventure Glow-worm tour
Te Ra Guided Experience

Te Ra Guided Experience

£45
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Te Ra Guided Experience
Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

£36
per adult
Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing
Marama: Geyser Light Trail

Marama: Geyser Light Trail

£20
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Marama: Geyser Light Trail
Ultimate self-drive rail car journey

Ultimate self-drive rail car journey

£34
per adult
Ultimate self-drive rail car journey
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas

Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas

£38
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas
Tauranga: Mount Maunganui Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

Tauranga: Mount Maunganui Harbour Sightseeing Cruise

£21
per adult
Tauranga: Mount Maunganui Harbour Sightseeing Cruise
3Mirage 360 Degree Immersion Virtual Experience

3Mirage 360 Degree Immersion Virtual Experience

£21
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
3Mirage 360 Degree Immersion Virtual Experience
1-Day Rotorua Tour from Auckland with Options

Rotorua Tour from Auckland with Optional Extras

£196
per adult
92% of travellers recommend
Rotorua Tour from Auckland with Optional Extras
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Top places to visit

1. Polynesian Spa

Located adjacent to beautiful Lake Rotorua, the steaming baths of the Polynesian Spa are the perfect place to destress. Soak in steamy, cleansing water while you gaze out across the pristine lake. Escape to your very own private pool or play on the slides in the large family area.
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A serene hot spring surrounded by rocks and greenery, with a view of distant hills and a body of water.

2. Skyline Rotorua

Skyline Rotorua cable car carries passengers up Mount Ngongotaha to a height of 487 metres (1,598 feet). Admiring the views isn’t the only thing to do at the summit. Sip a coffee in the café, fly over dense forest on the zip line or steer down the steep luge course.
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A cable car over a town with a lake and mountains in the background.

3. Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest

Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest is a tranquil woodland park crisscrossed by trekking and biking trails. Set off on a hike past thermal ponds and geysers or admire eucalyptus trees and immense Californian Redwoods while horseback riding.
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A mountain biker navigating a dirt trail through a forest with tall trees.

4. Lake Rotorua

Visit Lake Rotorua and you will find no shortage of things to do. Swim in the calm, clear waters by the city’s edge or set off on foot in search of your own private bay. Kayak to mystical Mokoia Island or sit back and relax on a boat cruise.
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A lake with steam rising from the water, surrounded by a flock of seagulls on the shore and hills in the background.

5. Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand’s sunniest places, meaning that visitors flock to its sandy shorelines to soak up hours of warm sunshine throughout the year. Discover the region’s wide variety of fascinating flora and fauna, some of which is endangered or protected.
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A wooden boardwalk leading through a misty forest with sunlight filtering through the trees.

6. Lake Rotoiti

Take in views of forest-fringed waters, shimmering glow worm caves and the Southern Alps at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Surrounded by towering mountains, all the lakes in this park were carved out by glaciers over thousands of years and have remained largely untouched. As well as making for a spectacular landscape, this has also allowed native wildlife to thrive.
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A boat on a calm river surrounded by rolling hills and dense trees.

What to do in Bay of Plenty Region

Stay near popular Bay of Plenty Region attractions

A beach with a wooden fence, grassy dunes, and a forested hill in the background.

Mount Maunganui

9.4/10 (1,501 reviews)
Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Mount Maunganui during your travels in Tauranga. Wander the area's beautiful beaches or simply enjoy one of its charming cafes.
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Where to stay in Bay of Plenty Region

Find the best Bay of Plenty Region areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A coastal cityscape with a beach, a cruise ship, and a rocky outcrop.

Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Pilot Bay Beach or Maunganui Beach.

A beach with clear blue water, a sandy shore, and a hill with greenery in the background.

Papamoa Beach

Unique features of Papamoa Beach include the beaches and shopping. Make a stop by Papamoa Beach or Bay of Plenty while you're exploring the area.

An aerial view of a coastal city with a prominent green hill, a beach, and a large body of water.

Papamoa

While Papamoa may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Papamoa Beach and Donovan Park.

A geothermal hot spring surrounded by rocky terrain and lush greenery, with a large building in the background.

Whakarewarewa

The panoramic lake views and luxurious spas are just a few highlights of Whakarewarewa. Make a stop by Whakarewarewa: The Living Maori Village or Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute while you're exploring the area.

A large, historic building with a central tower and multiple smaller towers, surrounded by a well-maintained lawn and benches.
Photo by Phil Ostroff
Open Photo by Phil Ostroff

Inner City

If you're spending some time in Inner City, Rotorua Central Mall and Eat Street are top sights worth seeing.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Bay of Plenty Region

A geothermal area with a green pool, an orange rim, and steam rising from the water.

Rotorua

A beach with people, a caravan, and parked cars.

Lake Tarawera

A lush green valley with rolling hills, a winding road, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Horohoro

A lake with a wooden dock extending into the water, surrounded by mountains and a cloudy sky.

Lake Okataina

A coastal landscape with a beach, forested hills, and a clear blue sky.

Matakana Island

A coastal cityscape at dusk with a view of the beach, a rocky outcrop, and a distant island.

Waihi Beach

A wooden pier extending into calm waters with mountains in the background.

Mourea

A river with clear water surrounded by dense forest and ferns.

Hamurana