Activities in Western Bay Of Plenty
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Blue Ocean Charters
Fishing, diving and sightseeing trips (including one to Tuhua Island) on the TS Ohorere, MV Te Kuia and MV Ratahi.
reviewed
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Waimarino Adventure Park
Waimarino Adventure Park, on the banks of the Wairoa River, offers freedom kayak hire for leisurely paddles along 12km of flat water, runs self-guided tours further up the river, and sea kayaking trips. Its Glowworm Tour is a magical after-dark journey at McLaren Falls Park where you slip into a secret glowworm-filled wonderland. Waimarino also has an adventure park with a kayak slide, diving board, ropes course, warm pools and wildlife-spotting − a great place to spend a day, especially if there are children in tow.
reviewed
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Mills Reef Winery
Mills Reef Winery, 7km from the town centre at Bethlehem, has tastings of its award-winning wines (dig the cab sav) and a restaurant (open for lunch and dinner daily; mains $24 to $33).
reviewed
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Tauranga Tandem Skydiving
Landlubbers might consider jumping out of a plane…or maybe they won’t. Tauranga Tandem Skydiving with views of White Island, Mount Ruapehu and the East Cape.
reviewed
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Baywave
For traditional swimming-pool action plus a wave pool, hydroslide and aqua aerobics, visit Baywave.
reviewed
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Mt Maunganui Hot Saltwater Pools
Soak at Mt Maunganui Hot Saltwater Pools at the foot of the Mount.
reviewed
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Dive HQ
PADI-qualifying courses or trips to local wrecks and reefs, plus gear rental.
reviewed
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Waikareao Estuary Walkway
reviewed
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Touring Company
Half- and full-day local scenic tours and trips further afield to Waitomo, Rotorua and White Island.
reviewed
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Tauranga Tasting Tours
Whips around a local brewery, Mills Reef and Morton Estate wineries, and back to town for cocktails.
reviewed
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Tauranga Marine Charters
Full-day fishing trips and diving trips once a month, on the MV Manutere.
reviewed
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South Sea Vagabond
Runs trips on an 18m catamaran. Kayaks available for nonswimmers.
reviewed
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No.8 Farm Tours
Half-day 4WD tours of a working NZ farm, featuring shearing, milking, sheep dogs, deer and morning tea.
reviewed
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Mount Classic Tours
Longer tours around the Bay of Plenty including accommodation and most meals.
reviewed
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M*A*S*H Chopper Scenic Flights
As seen on TV but without Hot Lips Houlihan. City and surrounds.
reviewed
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Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park
The backdrop to the Western Bay of Plenty is the rugged 70km-long Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park, 35km southwest of Tauranga on SH29, with tramps for the intrepid and basic camping. For more info see DOC’s pamphlet Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park Day Walks ($1.50).
reviewed
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Gyrate
Flights in a gyroplane (the jetski of the sky), from local, scenic flights to learn-to-fly packages.
reviewed
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Fishing Charters
Small-group half- and full-day fishing charters on the good ship Resolution.
reviewed
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Elements Watersports
If you’re new to water sports and want to get safely into the action, contact Elements Watersports. It offers tuition in sailing, windsurfing, powerboating and jetskiing, and has gear for hire.
reviewed
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Butler’s Swim With Dolphins
Even without dolphins, the trips are always entertaining, particularly with Cap’n Butler, a real old salt who protested against nuclear testing at Mururoa Atoll.
reviewed
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Air Discovery
Offers one- to two-hour fixed-wing flights over White Island and Mt Tarawera.
reviewed
