Exploring the Bay of Plenty

Get yourself some wheels and find the markets, breweries, galleries, waterfalls and roadside stalls that promise plentiful fun in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty).

Whether you base yourself in Tauranga or Mount Maunganui, you'll want to venture further than your immediate neighbourhood because this region demands deeper discovery. A rental car will offer you the freedom of the road, so you can find some of the best things to do in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty).

Local markets

Outdoor markets are high on the list of Te Moananui ā Toi (Coastal Bay of Plenty) activities, because the weather's nearly always nice. Here's a quick guide to farmers markets and other open-air shopping experiences:

  • The Tauranga Farmers Market happens every Saturday morning. If you're doing a bit of self-catering on your holiday, you'll love picking up fruit, vegetables, bread, freshly baked treats and other tasty goodies from local producers.
  • Over at the Mount (Mount Maunganui), Sunday is farmers market day. Head to Te Papa o Ngā Manu Porotakataka (the old Phoenix carpark) for the Mount Mainstreet Urban Market with fresh breads, pastries, cheese, smoked fish, oils, chutneys, relishes, honey and other delicious edibles from the region.
  • Little Big Markets take place on Saturdays at either Coronation Park, Mount Maunganui or the Papamoa Pony Club. This market's a scrumptious mixture of arts, crafts, street food and live music.
Tauranga Farmers Markets, New Zealand.

Craft beer and cider

As the craft beer movement gains momentum across New Zealand, some highly acclaimed breweries are serving great tasting paddles around Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty).

The Island Brewery in Papamoa welcomes beer connoisseurs, serves awesome BBQ-style food and plays live music.

Another fine brewing experience can be found in Whakatāne at Mata Brewery. An extensive menu of year-round and seasonal beers will ensure your beer-tastebuds have plenty to think about. The tasting room also serves pizza, gourmet pies, toasties and various other forms of beer-compatible deliciousness.

Special mention must be made of the Tauranga craft beer destination that consistently gets rave reviews - The Rising Tide Brewhouse in Newton Street. This bar has nearly 40 taps supplying the best craft beer and cider, and taps 1 to 10 are exclusively for beer produced by the Mount Brewing Company. Watch the brewers at work while you sip your way through a tasting paddle.

The Brewbus runs craft beer tasting tours from central Tauranga and Mount Maunganui to local breweries. The Brewbus takes bookings as they come.

The Cider Factorie, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty.

Food fun in Tauranga

The Cider Factorie in Te Puna isn't just famous for its cider. It has a ripper of a casual restaurant set in a former avocado packing shed, with views of the inner harbour and Kaimāī Range. Sharing plates and platters are designed to complement the ciders.

Art and culture

For a contemporary art experience, the Tauranga Art Gallery always has something amazing to see in its exhibition space, while The Incubator within the Historic Village is a hub for edgy events and exciting art exhibitions. And when you're strolling around the streets of Tauranga, watch for the spectacular street art - Fintan Magee's wall, Seth Globepainter's wall and Wongi's Wall, just to mention a few.

The Historic Village in Tauranga, New Zealand

Fruit and vegetables

Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) is just that - a land of plenty. As soon as you leave urban areas, there are market gardens, orchards and farms for miles. Many producers have a shop or stall at their gate, so you can pick up the freshest local produce while you're going from A to B.

Make sure you visit Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of New Zealand. Another treat is Julian's Berry Farm in Whakatāne, which has a great café and a shop laden with berry-made treats.

Avocado orchards are everywhere, but they're particularly thick on the ground in Katikati, the unofficial avocado capital of New Zealand. If you enjoy eating avocados, this superfood is found here in abundance. Katikati also has some excellent street murals.

Kiwifruit Picking, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty.

Picnics in paradise

After you've gathered the perfect lunch from a farmers market, deli or one of the many food stores at Tauranga Crossing (the Coastal Bay of Plenty's newest shopping experience), let Google nav steer your car towards a waterfall, park or mountain. Here are some location ideas for a picnic:

  • The Elms is one of Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty's) most important historic sites. You can explore the elegant mission house, built in the mid-1800s, and the extensive gardens surrounding it. You're welcome to spread your picnic rug on the lawn to enjoy the tranquillity
  • Hike to the summit of Mauao (Mount Maunganui), the extinct volcanic cone that guards the entrance of Tauranga Harbour. It's one of the best Te Moananui ā Toi (Coastal Bay of Plenty) walks and there's a grand 360° view waiting at the top. You'll also find a track right around the base of Mauao (Mount Maunganui); there are some gorgeous picnic places along the way
  • Find a picturesque spot at McLaren Falls Park. This spectacular slice of nature has one of the best botanical collections of trees in New Zealand, as well as an outstanding waterfall and glowworms
  • Katikati Bird Gardens at the western end of Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) is set on 10 acres of land that runs down to the harbour's edge. It includes aviaries and wetlands
  • Anzac Bay in Bowentown is also down the western end of the region. There are views across the water to Matakana Island and the pohutukawa trees provide shade from the hot Bay of Plenty sun

Check out Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty's) best family activities. 

Kiwifruit picking image courtesy Love Kiwis; The Historic Village image courtesy of The Incubator