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 fishing, surfing and skydiving to luging, 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 | Bay of Plenty NZ

Rotorua | Tourism New Zealand

Tourism Bay of Plenty

Events | Tauranga City

What's on | Rotorua NZ

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.

Dogs | Tauranga City 

Cats | Tauranga City

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

Coastal BOP Cycling

Great rides | NZ Cycle Trail

Rotorua, the venue for the 2006 Union Cycliste Internationale Mountain Bike World Championships, is a world-class mountain-biking destination.

Ride Rotorua

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. 

Bay of Plenty | NZ Museums

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

Retail | Rotorua NZ

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.

Tauranga Farmers' Market

Markets | Rotorua Lakes Council

Soundshell Market | eventfinder  

Kuirau Park Flea Market | Facebook

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