Where We Have Been - New Zealand - Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty has a great mix of coast and inland drama. You’ve got the beachy, sunny side around Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, but head inland and the landscape changes fast—especially around Rotorua, where the region’s personality really kicks in.

Tauranga also has a personal connection for us. It was home to David’s grandparents for many years, and he still remembers spending hours fishing off the pontoons in the marina. It’s also where his love of motorsport was born, watching Mustangs, Camaros and the like compete at the original Baypark. Add in Tauranga Harbour and the working port—always busy, always impressive—and a wide expanse of sheltered water that’s perfect for boating and fishing. It’s the kind of harbour where you can be out on the water without feeling overly exposed, yet you’re still surrounded by that big-sky coastal feel.

And then there’s Mount Maunganui itself—one of those places that’s hard not to like. The long beach seems to go on forever, and it’s perfect for a simple, pleasant stroll with the sea on one side and that holiday feeling in the air.

Rotorua isn’t just “one lake”, either. It’s a whole cluster of lakes—Rotorua, Rotoiti, Tarawera, Okareka, Tikitapu (Blue Lake), Rotokākahi (Green Lake) and more—each with a slightly different feel, from easy waterfront walks to quiet picnic spots and incredible reflections on a still morning. Not far away is Mt Tarawera, which David has climbed and the volcano that erupted in 1886—an event famous for destroying (and burying) the Pink and White Terraces, which were once considered one of the natural wonders of the world.

If you want something a bit wilder, Whakatāne and the eastern Bay felt like the point where things got quieter and a little more raw. Fewer crowds, more space, and much more relaxed.

We love Ōhope Beach for exactly that reason—one long sweep of sand that’s perfect for a walk when you just want to breathe and listen to the waves. And out to sea you’ve got Whakaari/White Island, an active volcano, sitting there like a reminder that this coastline—and this country—is still a little raw and untamed.

Closing Thought: If you want to experience New Zealand’s Māori culture alongside some of the country’s raw, dramatic natural features, the Bay of Plenty—and in particular Rotorua—gives you easy access to both. It’s not surprising it’s one of the most popular visitor destinations in New Zealand. And many consider Rotorua the undisputed star, the Bay of Plenty has plenty more to offer once you start looking beyond it.