Tauranga, Papamoa, Whakatane

Living life at the edge of the sea

Spectacular beaches attract surfers year round, with Mount Maunganui providing a focus for wave culture.

For diving and angling enthusiasts, there are offshore islands, reefs and fishing grounds to visit.

In terms of adventure, local specialities include tours of the marine volcano White Island, blokarting (land sailing), sky diving and dolphin encounters.

Or if you're looking for pampering and relaxation, hot pools and spas can be found in many locations.

The name Bay of Plenty pays tribute to the region's ability to produce great food. Around the city of Tauranga are swathes of orchards and gardens growing everything from kiwifruit and citrus fruit to avocados and culinary herbs.

Add to this a thriving local wine industry and plentiful fresh seafood and you'll see why the region's restaurant culture is so well developed.

The popularity of the Bay of Plenty region continues to soar as more people discover the region's irresistible mix of coastal lifestyle, adventure activities and great dining experiences.

Mauao (Mount Maunganui)
Guarding the entrance to Tauranga Harbour, Mauao was the landing place of the Takitimu waka. Takitimu was one of the ocean-going migration canoes that made the trip from Hawaiki to New Zealand in

Beach life
The stylish surf town of Mount Maunganui buzzes with adventure and activity. There≠s everything from surf lifesaving and beach volleyball to kite surfing, parasailing, jet skiing and surfing competitions.

White Island
Walking on an active volcano is a once in a lifetime opportunity. White Island hisses, fumes, belches and rumbles with geothermal action. It's accessible by launch and helicopter from Whakatane.

An adventure, cultural and spa destination like no other

The region was the birthplace of New Zealand tourism in the 1800s, when people flocked here from around the world to see the amazing Pink and White Terraces - vast, naturally formed silica terraces that cascaded into a volcanic lake.

The Te Arawa people were their local guides. The terraces were destroyed in the 1886 Mt Tarawera eruption, but Rotorua's fame as a fascinating travel destination continued to grow.

Today Maori guides can often be seen at the city's iconic attractions, following in the footsteps of their ancestors.

When explaining the appeal of their region, the people of Rotorua like to talk of five spirits. You can feel the spirit of the earth, as it rumbles beneath your feet and escapes, hissing, through fumaroles and geysers. You can witness the spirit of Maori culture, with authentic village and performance experiences.

With a soak in a natural hot spring or a relaxing massage, you can rejuvenate your spirit. Or free your spirit with outdoor adventures - trout fishing, kayaking, waterskiing, swimming, hiking and mountain biking. And if it's excitement you crave, you can challenge your spirit with adrenalin-charged extreme activities such as sky-diving, jet boating and zorbing.

Apart from its surprising crater, mountain and lake landscape, Rotorua is memorable for striking Tudor-style architecture and beautiful public parks. The farmland around city is some of the most fertile in New Zealand. Watching a sheep show or staying on a working farm is a great way to get a different view of the region.

Dare to be adventurous
Roll downhill inside a zorb, try some 360-degree spins in a jet boat or race your friends on a luge cart. Rafting, kayaking and sledging are also popular - trips on the Kaituna, Rangitaiki or Wairoa Rivers are a blast!

Indulge yourself
Rotorua is known as Nature's Spa of the South Pacific and offers visitors many opportunities to rejuvenate their spirit. Soak in the healing waters of hot springs or unwind with a therapeutic massage or mud wrap.

Cultural heartland
Rotorua is the heartland of New Zealand's Maori culture. Learn carving or weaving from master artists, sample contemporary food cooked using traditional methods or participate in Maori singing and dancing shows.

A warm climate and stunning beaches attract visitors to this popular holiday destination.

Tauranga is located at the western end of the Bay of Plenty, on the North Island's central eastern coast. It is built around Tauranga Harbour, a busy port, and the surrounding region is a fertile fruit growing district. It is sheltered to the west by the Kaimai Ranges and to the east by Matakana Island.

Historically, Tauranga was a base for missionaries and for the flax trade. The city is also home to Gate Pa, the site of an historic battle between local Maori and European settlers. Artillery and earthworks can still be seen at the site. Today, Tauranga's warm climate and coastal location makes the city a popular location to live, and it is the country's fastest growing centre. Its major attractions are boating, surfing and fishing, and a host of other activities such as water skiing, diving and windsurfing. The city also has some interesting historical buildings and attractions, such as Tauranga Historic Village/Museum.

Nearby Mt Maunganui/Papamoa is built on a long sandy peninsula and can be reached by the harbour bridge or via the coast road. It is a popular resort with a long sandy beach and fine surfing. At the tip of the peninsula is Mt Maunganui itself. This bush clad hill has several walking tracks and excellent views of the area.

Papamoa is situated in the Tauranga District of the Bay of Plenty region on the northeastern coast of the North Island of New Zealand. Papamoa is the largest suburb in Tauranga City.

Papamoa has miles of white sandy beach stretching from Mount Maunganui in the west to the Kaituna River in the east. Located down the road from Mount Maunganui, Papamoa's long beach is a quieter option than the busier Mount Maunganui areas and there are many access spots along Papamoa Beach Road.

Papamoa offers visitors an alternative destination to Mount Maunganui and Tauranga's cosmopolitan buzz. The beaches are less crowded and there's an atmosphere of laid-back relaxation.

Unwind in Papamoa, buy your vegetables from the side of the road, visit the local market or make the most of restaurants by the sea and inland.

There are several shopping centres, recreation reserves, sports centres and nearby golf courses.

Mt Maunganui is built on a long sandy peninsula and can be reached by the harbour bridge or via the coast road. It is a popular resort with a long sandy beach and fine surfing. At the tip of the peninsula is Mt Maunganui itself. This bush clad hill has several walking tracks and excellent views of the area. Mount Maunganui is one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in the country, Mount Maunganui caters for thousands of visitors each year and the Mount Mainstreet shopping centre is well placed to provide for their every need including boutique shops, quality restaurants and cafes.

Mount Maunganui has also become a thriving business and commercial centre and the hub for all import and export trade for the Bay of Plenty. It is the home of one of the two busiest seaports in the country.

Whakatane, the centre of Eastern Bay commerce, is an attractive coastal town situated on the banks of the Whakatane River. It has a vibrant retail and commercial area, which includes excellent shopping, cafes and restaurants.

Whakatane's many attractions can't fail to impress the visitor... from wonderful river and bush walks to the many recreational opportunities on and in the waters surrounding this slice of paradise. Whakatane has a fleet of charter boats, which provide visitors with the chance to dive the crystal clear waters of the Bay, fish for the "big ones", visit New Zealand's only active island volcano, White Island, or swim with the dolphins.

From the dawn of time, this sun-gilded, peaceful corner of the Bay of Plenty has attracted people. It was no accident that Maori travelled vast distances to settle here in one of Aotearoa's oldest population centres. Then as now, the rich bounty of the seas, forested hills and fertile soils could not be resisted. An interesting historic trail that winds through the town points out the many significant points important to the early Maori population.

Those attributes continue to draw visitors from around the globe, but there is more to Whakatane than superb fishing, golden beaches and wonderful tramping and bush walking opportunities. 50 kilometres offshore lies the active volcano Whakaari, White Island which provides a unique and awe-inspiring reminder of the planet's raw destructive and creative power.

New Zealand's capital of geothermal activity and traditional Maori culture.

Rotorua is situated in the centre of New Zealand's North Island. Its name is Maori and means 'two lakes', named for the lakes on which the city is built. The Te Awara tribe first inhabited the area in the 14th century and traditional Maori culture lives on in the city to this day.

Rotorua is also famous for its Maori culture. The traditional way of life of the local Te Arawa tribe can be experienced in the city at Maori cultural performances and by visiting Maori villages. Other attractions include the excellent trout fishing at the numerous lakes and rivers in the surrounding region.

Whakarewarewa - The Thermal Village,set amidst a landscape of erupting geysers, hot thermal springs and bubbling mud pools is the living village of Whakarewarewa.

Te Puia; New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute Celebration of the culture through customary song and dance of the Maori people which tells stories of the past and describe the intimate link between the land, nature and legend. Local Maori guides will be proud to share with you the beauty and history of Te Whakarewarewa thermal valley. Exploding from the ground up to 30 meters high is the world famous Pohutu Geyser.

Rotorua Golf Club, Arikikapakapa,One of New Zealand's leading courses Situated in picturesque Whakarewarewa, Arikikapakapa is a full 18 hole all-weather links-style and 9 hole "Thermal" course with easy walking and an excellent layout.

The Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest One of Rotorua's most beautiful natural assets, The Redwoods and Whakarewarewa Forest is just a five minutes drive from the city centre.Great Hiking and mountain biking and handy to the nearby Blue and Green Lakes.