Exploring the 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.
• 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.
• On Sundays, head over to Pāpāmoa (Te Manawa ō Pāpāmoa School) for their community market, where you'll find local produce, street food and live music.

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.

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, plus some dumplings on the side are a must! There's also a spot in Ōmokoroa should you be visiting the area.

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

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.

A Foodie Hotspot on the Rise

The dining scene in Te Moananui ā Toi (the Coastal Bay of Plenty) is buzzing, with the region quickly gaining momentum as a must-visit foodie destination. Mount Mainstreet is packed with lively bars and restaurants offering something for every palate, while Tauranga City Centre serves up an impressive mix of global cuisines and local gems. Each autumn, the region comes alive with the Flavours of Plenty Festival, a celebration of our local food story, where you can feast your way through a jam-packed line-up of events. Don't miss the popular Plates of Plenty Challenge, where eateries put their best flavour-packed creations forward using local ingredients.

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. The region boasts an array of berry farms which are open throughout the summer, where you can pick your own berries and of course delight in a real fruit ice cream, a true Kiwi classic!

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. You can visit an orchard and taste avocado treats with Avocado Tours in Katikati. Katikati also has some excellent street murals.

Picnics in paradise

After you've gathered the perfect lunch from a farmers market, local bakery or deli, 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
• If you have a good level of fitness and feel like a workout, 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 pōhutukawa 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.