Walking is free with Bay of Plenty offering plenty of diverse tracks from urban street art to cliffs, streams and waterfalls. There are wharfs to jump off or fish from. The Regional Parks and McLaren Gardens are excellent places for picnics, interactions with farm animals and swimming. Museums and galleries in Katikati and Tauranga are free with interactive exhibits creating a welcoming environment.
SALISBURY WHARF IS FREE
- Jump off the wharf and learn how to bomb in the water
- Fish from the wharf while observing the enormous container ships slowly edge their way out the port
- Laze on Pilot beach after the hard work of wharf jumping
PAPAMOA HILLS REGIONAL PARK IS FREE
- Historic Pa terraces
- Spectacular views from the summit (227 m above sea level) with Whale Island, Mount Maunganui and Whakatane visible
KATIKATI STREET ART MURAL TRAIL IS FREE
- Get an art fix in the town named “NZ mural town,” together with the Western Bay of Plenty museum you have the making of a great day exploring the Bay of Plenty
- Remember to find your zen moment on the Haiku trail
MAKETU DISCOVER WHERE TOURISM AS YET TO ARRIVE
Maketu is famous for its pie factory and fish n chips on the beach.
- Eat your pie on the beach
- On the way stop in Te Puke for a selfie backdropped by an enormous kiwifruit
AONGATETE FOREST
Uncover the hard work by Forest & Bird to protect Aotearoa New Zealand’s native birds and the work of the Aongatete Forest Project . You are in nature being rewarded with a sense of purpose with like minded kiwis and visitors.
Read more about 4 Aongatete Forest special places to visit, things to see: Best Bits
MCLAREN PARK & GARDENS ARE FREE
McLaren’s Falls Park is free. Walks, waterfalls, picnic spots and lakes to swim in. The Falls Café has a great all-day menu and Marshall Animal Farm nestled within the park has feeding and play options with animals such as horses, rabbits, kunekune pigs and goats.
TAURANGA THINGS TO DO FOR FREE
- Harbour waterfront stairs and Hairy MacClary sculptures and the playground are bound to be a family highlight
- View over 70 street art murals and visit Tauranga Art Gallery and The Incubator art cooperative
- Enjoy The Village, a historic recreated 19th century main street with shops, street entertainment and pop up stalls during summer
- Visit Bethlehem Community Gardens and see how allotment gardens work in New Zealand. Volunteer for a day or half day and get to meet some locals
MOUNT MAUNGANUI BEACHES ARE FREE
- Climb the summit for amazing views of Tauranga, the harbour and islands
- The iconic salt water hot pools are very reasonable consider a dip after the summit walk
For more ideas check Mount Maunganui, activities, events, attractions.
Also, check out Bay of Plenty hot pools, mineral springs, and attractions.
WALKING OUTDOORS IN NATURE IS FREE
- Walk from Waihi Beach to Bowentown Domain taking in the contrasting scenery from summer beach bustle to quiet coves, headlines and historic pa sites. Wonder about the bird life, the estuary and wetlands.
- Take in the urban vibe of Tauranga and walk to Mount Maunganui with the contrast between the coast, the boardwalk and the city
- Check out Top 10 walks in the Bay of Plenty for inspiration where to walk
WALKING HISTORY, ART AND CULTURE PATHWAYS IS FREE
- Whakatane 16 km trail in the footsteps of Toi is a nature walk passing sea cliffs, pa sites, bird nesting sites and pohutukawa groves
- Relax in the one hectare The Elms Garden in Tauranga with a picnic lunch
- Saunter around Tauranga seeing how many street murals catch your fancy
- Spend some time in Opotiki taking in the Maori carving installations on the main street and observe the primary school gates. There are rules for teachers in the 19th century about moral behaviour
- Go on a history detective trail and find the NZ Land Wars military cemetery and then spend time absorbing the history lesson at Gate Pa
This is part of our odd, unusual and fascinating series with articles in Wellington, the odd, unusual and fascinating and Christchurch, the odd, unusual and … read more Tauranga the odd, unusual and fascinating things to do.
BEST BITS TRAVEL GUIDE
