Bay of Plenty Recreation
The Bay of Plenty region is home to spectacular beaches, great fishing and all sorts of adventure attractions.
Looking for general recreation information?
From snow skiing, skydiving and luging to zorbing and ziplining there's plenty to do. You'll also find the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world here along with one of New Zealand’s best mountain bike circuits.
Bay of Plenty Attractions | Tourism New Zealand
Sport and recreation
Councils around the region provide a range of recreation facilities including sportsgrounds, parks and gardens. Your local community center may also run many different activities and groups for the community to join.
Check with your local council for details and opening hours.
Leisure and Events | Bay Venues
Recreation and leisure | Rotorua Lakes Council
Bay of Plenty community centres | Citizen's Advice Bureau
Sports clubs and groups
New Zealanders enjoy a huge range of sporting activities - the Sport New Zealand website lists everything from Aikido to Zen Do Kai! Check the site to see what’s available in your area and how you can get involved. Joining a club or team is a great way to meet people.
Find a sport | Sport New Zealand
Clubs in Bay of Plenty | Citizen's Advice Bureau
Outdoors
Tracks and walks
There are many opportunities to stretch your legs, clear your lungs and get close to nature on the walkways and tracks you’ll find wherever you go in New Zealand. Check the Department of Conservation site to find the great walks available in the Bay of Plenty.
Bay of Plenty tracks and walks | DOC
Parks and reserves | Tauranga City
Parks and reserves | Rotorua Lakes Council
Playgrounds
Tauranga offers plenty of opportunities for children to play in safe playgrounds, including a number of skateboard parks. Check with your local district council to find playgrounds and parks near you.
Find a playground | Tauranga City
Hunting and fishing rules
Both fishing and hunting are a big part of life for many in the Bay of Plenty region. Check the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Fish and Game NZ websites for full information about licences and restrictions on hunting and fishing in freshwater. The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) has information about the rules of fishing in the sea.
It is very important to be aware of restrictions as there can be serious penalties for breaching them.
Hunting in the Bay of Plenty | DOC
Eastern Region | Fish and Game NZ
Bay of Plenty, Auckland and Kermadec fishing rules | MPI
Cat and dog regulations
New Zealand has various laws about looking after and controlling pets. Councils each have their own bylaws.
Animal control | Rotorua Lakes Council
Cycling and mountain biking
The Bay of Plenty's climate makes cycling in the region a year-round pastime and it has many excellent cycling trails. Check these sites for great cycle rides in the Bay of Plenty
Rotorua, the venue for the 2006 Union Cycliste Internationale Mountain Bike World Championships, is a world-class mountain-biking destination.
Art and culture
Museums and galleries
There are a number of museums and art galleries to visit in the Bay of Plenty region. You'll find details of each on the NZ Museums website. Information about the museums in Rotorua is also available on the Rotorua New Zealand website.
Museums and galleries | Rotorua NZ
Shopping
There’s good everyday shopping across the Bay of Plenty. You can find out about shopping in the the larger cities, Tauranga and Rotorua, on the sites below.
Shopping centres | Best in Tauranga
Markets
There are many community markets around the region selling produce, crafts and second hand goods. Check out the sites below for details of each market.
Markets | Rotorua Lakes Council