This bustling lifestyle city sits alongside its twin sister, Mount Maunganui in nature’s unspoiled Bay of Plenty – ‘The Coast with the Most’.

The Bay was well named by Captain Cook for its fertile land and friendly inhabitants and these attributes are still evident today. The idyllic lifestyle is enhanced by a sunny climate, endless white sand beaches, excellent surf, bush-clad hills and a myriad of outdoor activities. The Mount has a laid-back surfing holiday atmosphere, and is New Zealand’s equivalent to Noosa and Surfers across the ditch in Australia.

This ultimate holiday destination provides you with an exciting cafe and restaurant scene and an abundance of leisure activities as set out below:-

Stroll along The Strand on the colourful waterfront
Soak up the lively atmosphere among the sidewalk cafes, restaurants and bars.

See the great variety of launches and yachts in the Marina
Charter boats can whisk nature lovers out to swim with dolphins, encounter whales, seals and bird life. There are also opportunities to snorkel, scuba dive and catch marlin.

Take the historic Tauranga city walk
Cross the Matapihi Bridge to see the old Bond Store, Hotel St Amand, Monmouth Redoubt, Gate Pa, the Military Cemetery and other sites.

Step back in time at the Tauranga Historic Village in 17th Avenue West
Enjoy the restored colonial buildings and the authentic period costumes of the volunteers.

Visit the glorious gardens of the Elms Colonial Mission House
These carefully tended grounds have fine kauri, rimu and orange trees and kiwifruit orchards.

Drive out to McLaren Falls Park on SH.29
See one of the best botanical collections of trees in New Zealand and visit the animal park nearby.

Visit Bayfair Shopping Centre, Mt Maunganui and the Palm Beach Plaza, Papamoa
These retail centres are a shopper’s delight with top fashion stores and excellent food courts.

Climb to Mt Maunganui’s summit and walk the circular base track
Each walk takes around one hour. The sweeping harbour views are stunning and the thermal saltwater pools, at the base of the mountain, make a pleasant finale.

Swim at ‘The Mount’s’ popular Ocean Beach
This 15 km long swathe of golden sand is among the best surfing beaches in New Zealand.

Drive down to the Papamoa Maori Marae
A guided tour includes a cultural performance and interpretation of intricate carvings.

Carry on to Te Puke, the ‘Kiwifruit Capital of the World’
See the flourishing orchards of ‘green gold’ and visit the nearby vintage auto display.

Visit Katikati, New Zealand’s mural town
This planned Irish Ulster settlement has around 40 colourful murals in its streets.

Explore the Kaimai Forest Park
This bush clad backdrop to Tauranga is easily accessible and offers superb native bush walks.

Drive north to the fascinating Coromandel Peninsula
This top tourist destination has magnificent scenery, flora and fauna and gold rush era relics.

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