What to do in Bay of Plenty Region

Activities, attractions and tours

A coastal landscape with a prominent hill, numerous boats on the water, and a cityscape in the background.
A coastal landscape with a grassy hillside, a beach, and a sunset.
A geothermal hot spring with clear blue water, a red-brown edge, and steam rising from the water.
A beach with sailboats, a grassy area with flags, and a hill in the background.
A coastal town with a bay, boats, buildings, and a hilly landscape.

Activities

The Hell's Gate Experience

The Hell's Gate Experience

NZ$115
per adult
98% of travellers recommend
The Hell's Gate Experience
Te Ra Guided Experience

Te Ra Guided Experience

NZ$105
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
Te Ra Guided Experience
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas

Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas

NZ$90
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Hell's Gate Mud Bath & Spas
Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+

Rotorua: Polynesian Spa Pavilion Hot Pool Bathing (12+ yrs)

NZ$55
per adult
78% of travellers recommend
Rotorua: Polynesian Spa Pavilion Hot Pool Bathing (12+ yrs)
Cultural Performance

Cultural Performance

NZ$35
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Cultural Performance
Geothermal Lakeside Bathing Experience - Deluxe Lake Spa

Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing

NZ$85
per adult
Polynesian Spa Rotorua: Deluxe Lake Spa Hot Spring Bathing
Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience

Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience

NZ$203
per adult
Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience
Rotorua: Velocity Valley - Pick One Pass

Rotorua: Velocity Valley - One Ride Pass

NZ$65
per adult
Rotorua: Velocity Valley - One Ride Pass
National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour

National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour

NZ$77
per adult
90% of travellers recommend
National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Guided Tour
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Top places to visit

1. Polynesian Spa

Located adjacent to beautiful Lake Rotorua, the steaming baths of the Polynesian Spa are the perfect place to destress. Soak in steamy, cleansing water while you gaze out across the pristine lake. Escape to your very own private pool or play on the slides in the large family area.
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A tranquil indoor pool with a view of a lake and mountains.

2. Skyline Rotorua

Skyline Rotorua cable car carries passengers up Mount Ngongotaha to a height of 487 metres (1,598 feet). Admiring the views isn’t the only thing to do at the summit. Sip a coffee in the café, fly over dense forest on the zip line or steer down the steep luge course.
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A cable car system, lush greenery, and a distant town.

3. Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest

Redwoods Whakarewarewa Forest is a tranquil woodland park crisscrossed by trekking and biking trails. Set off on a hike past thermal ponds and geysers or admire eucalyptus trees and immense Californian Redwoods while horseback riding.
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A rope bridge in a forest with illuminated hanging lights.

4. Lake Rotorua

Visit Lake Rotorua and you will find no shortage of things to do. Swim in the calm, clear waters by the city’s edge or set off on foot in search of your own private bay. Kayak to mystical Mokoia Island or sit back and relax on a boat cruise.
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A lake with steam rising from the water, surrounded by a flock of seagulls on the shore and hills in the background.

5. Mitai Maori Village

The Mitai Māori Village gives you and your family the chance to experience Māori food, art and traditions. The tours are not only educational, they are also very impressive and enjoyable.
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A group of people observing a ritual in a lush, green forest with a river.

6. Lake Rotoiti

Take in views of forest-fringed waters, shimmering glow worm caves and the Southern Alps at Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Surrounded by towering mountains, all the lakes in this park were carved out by glaciers over thousands of years and have remained largely untouched. As well as making for a spectacular landscape, this has also allowed native wildlife to thrive.
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A calm lake surrounded by lush green hills and a clear blue sky.

What to do in Bay of Plenty Region

Stay near popular Bay of Plenty Region attractions

A large body of water with a small island in the center.

Mokoia Island

Accessible only on a guided tour, this small island at the centre of Lake Rotorua is rich in native birdlife and Māori history and culture.
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Our guide on where to stay in Bay of Plenty Region

Find the best Bay of Plenty Region areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Bay of Plenty Region
Learn more about Bay of Plenty Region
A coastal cityscape with a beach, a cruise ship, and a rocky outcrop.

Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Pilot Bay Beach or Maunganui Beach.

A beach with clear blue water, a sandy shore, and a hill with greenery in the background.

Papamoa Beach

Unique features of Papamoa Beach include the beaches and shopping. Make a stop by Papamoa Beach or Bay of Plenty while you're exploring the area.

An aerial view of a coastal city with a prominent green hill, a beach, and a large body of water.

Papamoa

While Papamoa may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Gordon Spratt Reserve and Papamoa Beach.

A geothermal area with a hot spring, steam rising from the ground, and a forested hillside in the background.
Photo by Umi Mostafa
Open Photo by Umi Mostafa

Whakarewarewa

The panoramic lake views and luxurious spas are just a few highlights of Whakarewarewa. Make a stop by Whakarewarewa: The Living Maori Village or Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute while you're exploring the area.

A coastal town with a lake, surrounded by hills and dense greenery.

Inner City

If you're spending some time in Inner City, Tamaki Maori Village and Rotorua Central Mall are top sights worth seeing.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Bay of Plenty Region

A beach with scattered rocks and a small island with trees in the distance.

Whakatane

A geothermal area with a green pool, an orange rim, and steam rising from the water.

Rotorua

A beach with people, a caravan, and parked cars.

Lake Tarawera

A lush green valley with rolling hills, a winding road, and distant mountains under a partly cloudy sky.

Horohoro

A yellow building with signs for Talisman Hotel, Wood Fired Pizzas, and Garden Bar at Real.

Katikati

A lake with a wooden dock extending into the water, surrounded by mountains and a cloudy sky.

Lake Okataina

A coastal landscape with a beach, forested hills, and a clear blue sky.

Matakana Island

Two dolphins swimming in clear blue water.

Motohora Island

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