Sights in Western Bay Of Plenty
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Tauranga Art Gallery
The Tauranga Art Gallery presents historic and contemporary art, and houses a permanent collection along with frequently changing local and visiting exhibitions. The building itself is a former bank, although you’d hardly know it − it’s an altogether excellent space with no obvious compromise (cue: applause!). Touring the ground and mezzanine galleries, with a stop to poke your nose into the video cube, will take an hour or so.
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McLaren Falls Park
In the Wairoa River valley, 15km southwest of Tauranga just off SH29, McLaren Falls Park is a 190-hectare lakeland park with great trees and picnic areas. There are three basic modern hostels here and campsites. Also accessible from McLaren Falls is Marshalls Animal Park which has family fun such as animal petting, a flying fox, playground and pony rides.
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Huria Marae
If you’re interested in marae (meeting house), Huria Marae is on a nondescript suburban street but has sensational carvings both inside and out. Call to organise permission to visit.
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Elms Mission Station
Built in 1847, Elms Mission Station is the oldest building in the Bay of Plenty. Furnished in period style, it sits among other well-preserved mission buildings in leafy grounds. The spooky Mission Cemetery lies not far away at the intersection of Marsh Street and Dive Crescent − good for a little epitaph-reading.
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Brain Watkins House
The demure Brain Watkins House was built in 1881 from kauri (wood) and remains one of Tauranga’s best-preserved colonial homes.
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Marshalls Animal Park
Marshalls Animal Park has family fun such as animal petting, a flying fox, playground and pony rides.
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Classic Flyers NZ
Out near the airport, Classic Flyers NZ is a fascinating aviation museum with on-site cafe.
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Robbins Park
Robbins Park is a verdant pocket of roses with excellent views across to Mt Maunganui.
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Mount Surf Museum
To learn about surfing in the area (and beyond) visit the excellent Mount Surf Museum.
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Monmouth Redoubt
Monmouth Redoubt was once a fortified site during the Maori Wars.
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Ocean Beach
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Mount Beach
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Minden Lookout
From Minden Lookout, about 10km west of Tauranga towards Katikati, there’s a superb view back over the Bay of Plenty. To get there, take SH2 to Te Puna and turn off south on Minden Rd; the lookout is about 4km up the road.
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