About
The Bay of Plenty is a coastal region on the eastern side of New Zealand's North Island, in Oceania. It is a place where the land and sea meet in a series of beaches, orchards and volcanic landscapes, and it makes a relaxed base for visitors who want to explore the North Island at an easy pace.
What the region is known for
The Bay of Plenty is closely associated with kiwifruit, and the orchards that run across its farmland are a large part of its character. Visitors interested in food and agriculture will find the region's produce central to its identity. Its geothermal activity is the other defining feature: the ground here is active, and the landscape shows it in steaming earth and warm springs.
Beaches and coast
The coastline is the region's main draw for many travellers. Tauranga is the best-known of its beach destinations, and it offers a lively waterfront setting with sand, sea and the ease of a holiday town. Those who prefer quieter stretches of coast can find them along the rest of the bay.
A visit suits several kinds of traveller:
- People who want a beach holiday with a relaxed, coastal pace
- Visitors curious about New Zealand's orchards and farm produce
- Those interested in the country's geothermal landscapes
- Travellers using the region as a stop on a wider North Island route
Planning your visit
Tauranga and its beaches make a natural starting point, and the surrounding bay offers room to move between coast, farmland and geothermal areas. Because the region spans several kinds of landscape, it rewards a few days rather than a brief stop.