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Bay of Plenty
By
Richard Moore
Hotels
in Mount Maunganui
Hotels
in Tauranga
Hotels in Rotorua
 The
Bay of Plenty is one of New Zealand's
fastest growing areas with thousands of people a year deciding to
make the move to its beaches and moderate climate.
The
main cities in the Bay of Plenty are the tourist mecca of Rotorua
and the major port of Tauranga
and its satellite towns Mount
Maunganui and Papamoa.
Rotorua
is New Zealand's most active thermal region and the city has built
its reputation on providing excellent services for visitors, its
natural beauty and adventure activities.
 Tauranga
and its surrounds - only 45 minutes from Rotorua - offer visitors
just about everything they could want.
Cafes
and restaurants are high quality, accommodation plentiful and
outdoor activities abound. Across the harbour bridge from Tauranga
is Mount Maunganui, or the Mount, where you can take a walk up to
the 232-metre-high summit for spectacular sea views, or around the
base for more gentle exercise.
Afterwards
there are terrific hotpools to relax in.
 From
the top of the Mount you can see to the Coromandel
Peninsula or down the coast to Papamoa and the Maketu Peninsula.
In
the hinterland from Papamoa are the impressive Kaiate
Falls - just perfect for summer picnics and swimming.
On
the eastern border of the Bay of Plenty are the Kaimai Ranges (Kaimais)
and on the foothills there is a wonderful spot to relax in relative
tranquility.
It
is the McLaren Falls
a series of small waterfalls and rock pools that stretch away into
the distance.
North
of Tauranga are the Katikati
Bird Gardens where you can take time out to stroll among hundreds
of varieties of birds.
To
the east is the town of Whakatane
where you can enjoy trips to swim with dolphins or take an adventure
and head out to the active White
Island volcano by either boat or helicopter.
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