Mount Maunganui Beach
Mount Maunganui is one of the most popular Bay of Plenty beaches. The small town's population increases dramatically over the Christmas and New Year break, with visitors flocking to beach side festivals, concerts, and sporting events such as surfing, volleyball and triathlon competitions. For visitors wanting to relax, this sweeping beach, with its small bays, also provides plenty of space for sunbathing, swimming or snorkelling.
Waihi Beach
Waihi Beach is located 11 kilometres East of Waihi, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand and has a population of just over 1900 people. Waihi is a stunning beach offering a beautiful coastal walk, plenty of fantastic scenery, picnic areas, surfcasting and rock fishing opportunities, and a variety of sporting activities.
The Bird Gardens
The Bird Gardens are located only minutes from Matahui Lodge in Katikati, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
Visitors to the Bird Gardens can enjoy hundreds of friendly native and exotic birds in a picturesque garden setting. Meander through this harbour side sanctuary with its large trees, lily ponds and delightful gardens, or hand-feed tame doves, peacocks and pheasants.
Contact The Bird Gardens at:
Walker Road East, off State Highway 2
Phone: +64-7 5490912
Email: birdgardens@clear.net.nz
Matakana Island
Matakana Island is a nesting site for a large number of sea birds, including the endangered New Zealand dotterel. The island features a beautiful pine plantation, stunning sea views, long white sand beaches, kayaking, surfing and fishing opportunities.
Matakana Island Tours, based in Tauranga, New Zealand offer full and half day trips to the 27km long island. Join them in an unforgettable trip across tidal sand flats, board a 1914 restored wagon drawn by Clydesdale horses, and relax on a pristine, 'private access only' beach.
Contact Matakana Island Tours at:
Phone: 0800 276 391
Mobile: 025 273 6337
Email: clydesdales4tour@ihug.co.nz
Website: www.ezyinfo.co.nz/clydesdales4tour
White Island
Probably the most well known off shore journey in the Bay of Plenty is a trip to White Island, an active volcano 50 km off the coast of Whakatane in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand.
White Island, New Zealand's only live marine volcano is fast becoming known for scuba-diving and snorkelling adventures, as much as for its scenic beauty.
Contact White Island Tours or White Island Rendezvous at:
15 The Strand East
Whakatane
PO Box 529
Whakatane
New Zealand
Phone: +64-7 308 9588
Fax: +64-7 308 0303
Rendezvous Freephone: 0800 242 299
Tours Freephone: 0800 733 529
Email: info@whiteisland.co.nz
