At Play in the Bay
The sunny Bay of Plenty has long been a firm holiday favourite for Kiwis and visitors alike, and it has a great mix of fun activities, scenic attractions, culture and dining experiences. The ‘Bay’ has a well earned reputation as one of New Zealand's premier beach and surf destinations, and the peaks of Mauao and the Kaimai ranges are a magnet for travellers looking to tap into local culture and enjoy the area's stunning natural environment. Where else can you surf the breaks of Papamoa Beach by day, then relax in natural hot saltwater pools by night?
The laidback coastal city of Tauranga is the Bay's main centre, and a great base for sampling the area's attractions. The neighbouring seaside resorts of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa are a drawcard for surfers and swimmers, with their magnificent sandy white beaches. The Bay of Plenty is also home to Te Puke, the heart of the kiwifruit industry, Katikati – New Zealand's ‘mural town’, and the quiet coastal villages of Waihi Beach and Maketu Beach.
To get a taste of the region, head inland to Te Puke to learn all about kiwifruit at Kiwi360, or visit Comvita – the manufacturers of Manuka honey health and beauty products. To really tempt your taste buds, sample the Bay of Plenty's award winning wines and local fare at Mills Reef winery in Tauranga, a favourite for fine dining. If it’s nightlife you’re after, head to the Strand on the Tauranga waterfront where the variety of cafés, restaurants and bars offers something for everyone.
Adventure lovers certainly won't be bored in the Bay. You can go jetboating on the Kaituna River and take your own mud bug on a four wheel drive adventure. The locally invented blokart offers an exciting land sailing experience as you fly around the purpose-built track at Game On in Papamoa and, if you like being up in the air, hop aboard a helicopter for an amazing aerial adventure. You can join a dive trip, or a guided launch or helicopter tour to White Island, New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Virtually no vegetation survives the harsh acidic environment inside the crater walls of the volcano. Instead, lush beds of yellow and white sulphur crystals grow among hissing, steaming, fumaroles.
If you're keen to get out on the water, the Bay is the place for you. It's one of the best places in the world to see dolphins in their natural habitat. About 40,000 common dolphins have made their home here, and the pods are known to gather around swimmers, providing an unforgettable experience. If you like to explore under your own steam, join a guided kayaking trip of the Tauranga Harbour, Wairoa River or Lake McLaren. A truly unique activity for the whole family is the glow-worm kayaking trip on Lake McLaren. This trip will see you kayak at dusk to a rock-lined canyon, where you're greeted by thousands of glow-worms adorning the canyon walls.
Of course, no visit to the Bay is complete without a stroll around Mauao (Mount Maunganui). The 3.4km scenic base track is one of New Zealand's most popular and, if you like a challenge, you can climb right to the top for glorious 360 degree views along the coast and across to outlying islands.
48TH NATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL, 1-5 APRIL, TAURANGA
For five days over Easter, Tauranga explodes with the vibrant sounds of the National Jazz Festival, one of the oldest jazz festivals in the world. Each year 
thousands of visitors congregate in the Bay of Plenty's beautiful seaside setting for the jazz party of the year. Headlining the 2010 National Jazz Festival is six-time Grammy award-winning jazz legend Dr John with his band, The Lower 911. Also performing is the man they call ‘the Godfather of Acid Jazz', Hammond B3 legend Brian Auger.
The Jazz Steamtrain is back with two special excursions to choose from – the Coastal Express, a two hour round trip, and the four-hour Coastal Discovery. Stroll between carriages and enjoy the live jazz bands and a selection of fine wines and food. Also returning is The Sebel Trinity Wharf Tauranga Jazz Riverboat with a gentle harbour tour of Tauranga Moana aboard the Kewpie, as you relax to the on-board jazz band.
Editorial and images supplied courtesy of Tourism Bay of Plenty www.bayofplentynz.com
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