In our ‘Complete Guide’ series, we’re going to be visiting some of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations and getting the inside track from our GO Explore followers on the best places to stay, eat, drink, sunbathe and more. Instead of just finding out what the guidebooks tell you, find out what the locals and the travellers think when it comes to the best place to get an ice cream, the best fish and chips and the best cocktail you’ll ever taste! We’ll also give you some advice on the best rental car for your road trip so you can explore the region  in comfort and style!

The next in our series of Complete Guides takes us to Tauranga and Mount Maunganui (The Mount) on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Located in the Bay of Plenty Region, Tauranga and The Mount are two of the most popular holiday destinations for Kiwis but can often get missed out by overseas visitors to New Zealand who take the more traditional route through Rotorua and Taupo. We’re here to urge you to make the trip out east – you won’t be disappointed and there is still plenty of scope to visit Rotorua and Taupo – it’s almost on the way! Famed for the beautiful beaches and of course the iconic Mount, the Bay of Plenty region has much to offer. Let’s take a closer look at some of the best places to stay in the region and get you GOing!

Popular places to stay in the Bay of Plenty

Whilst this Complete Guide is predominantly about Tauranga and Mt Maunganui, the Bay of Plenty is a great region to explore and our GO Explore fans have come up with heaps of great ideas when it comes to places to stay, things to do and where to eat out. The first thing you need to decide is where to stay. We’re not talking about which hotel or motel to choose but which town is best suited for your trip. The two obvious choices are Tauranga and Mt Maunganui itself, however if these places are a bit too busy for you and you want to get off the beaten track, you can stay in the quieter town of Papamoa or maybe head further down the coast to Whakatane. We got some great tips from our GO Explore fans on where to go:

  • Tauranga

    Tauranga

    Tauranga is New Zealand’s fifth largest city and is one of New Zealand’s main centres for business and international trade. The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s largest in terms of exports and the city is one of New Zealand’s fastest grow

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    Tauranga is New Zealand’s fifth largest city and is one of New Zealand’s main centres for business and international trade. The Port of Tauranga is New Zealand’s largest in terms of exports and the city is one of New Zealand’s fastest growing. The city itself is full of things to do from the historic buildings to the sightseeing tours. The most popular time of the year to visit is the summer months of December, January and February when many Kiwis head to Tauranga for their summer holidays. Choosing between Tauranga and The Mount basically comes down to one thing – whether you want to be beach front or closer to the restaurants and city centre.

  • Mount Maunganui

    Mount Maunganui

    If you love the beach, there are few better places to take a holiday in New Zealand that the beautiful Mount Maunganui or as the locals refer to it, ‘The Mount’. Mt Maunganui is a hugely popular destination for Kiwis to take their summer holid

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    If you love the beach, there are few better places to take a holiday in New Zealand that the beautiful Mount Maunganui or as the locals refer to it, ‘The Mount’. Mt Maunganui is a hugely popular destination for Kiwis to take their summer holiday, especially those coming down from Auckland and it’s a place we recommend adding to your itinerary. The Mount, an extinct volcano, dominates the skyline at Mount Maunganui. Perched right at the end of the beach, the Mount is a stunning place to watch the sunrise in the morning. There are some great walking tracks both around the base and up to the summit and these are a must for visitors to The Mount.

  • Papamoa

    Papamoa

    If you are looking for something a bit quieter and away from the hustle and bustle of The Mount and Tauranga, just a short 10-15 minute drive down the coast from Mount Manganui will take you to the stunning beachfront town of Papamoa. This sleepy

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    If you are looking for something a bit quieter and away from the hustle and bustle of The Mount and Tauranga, just a short 10-15 minute drive down the coast from Mount Manganui will take you to the stunning beachfront town of Papamoa. This sleepy beachside town is one of the fastest growing suburbs of Tauranga and for obvious reasons – the beach is stunning and with some top class fishing and surfing right on your doorstep, it’s a great place to live and a relaxing places to spend a few days exploring. The town is starting to grow in terms of places to eat out and go for a drink but with Tauranga and The Mount just a short drive away, you’re never short of options.

If you are travelling down the east coast rather than taking the internal route through Rotorua and Taupo, Whakatane is a great place to stop on your way through the Bay of Plenty. There are some beautiful beaches in the area including Ohope – one of New Zealand’s most-loved beaches but the big draw for visitors is a trip to White Island – New Zealand’s only active marine volcano.

Best accommodation in the Bay of Plenty

Once you have decided which town you are going to base yourself in, it’s time to choose some accommodation. Whether you are looking for five star luxury hotels or a remote campground, you’re well catered for in the Bay of Plenty. With so many options to choose from, we asked our GO Explore fans for some of their top tips and this is what they came back with:

Trinity Wharf - Tauranga

This is definitely the number one pick for all our GO Explorers who have stayed in Tauranga. This 4.5 star Trinity Wharf hotel is located right on the harbour with some beautiful views out over the water and some amazing sunsets. There are some great accommodation options from the standard twin and double rooms to the two bedroom apartments which are fully equipped with kitchen, laundry and spacious living and dining areas. There is also a beautiful pool and all rooms overlook the pool deck making this an incredibly relaxing place to stay.

Papamoa Beach Resort - Papamoa

Papamoa was a big hit with our GO Explorers, especially our Kiwi contingent. With the beach right on your doorstep, Papamoa Beach Resort is a great option if you are looking for a laid back place to stay. With a huge range of accommodation options from their lovely campsite to the stunning beachfront villas, all budgets are well catered for. Onsite at the resort you will find lots of things to do and it’s a great place to take the kids.

Bethlehem Motor Inn - Tauranga

Like most Kiwi towns and cities, Tauranga is not short of motor inns and motels. One that kept popping up in our recommendations was the Bethlehem Motor Inn which is located just a few minutes’ walk from Bethlehem town centre and a short drive to Tauranga city centre. The big draw for many are the great leisure facilities as well as the clean and spacious rooms. With an outdoor swimming pool, indoor spa and tennis courts, this motel is definitely not short of facilities for guests.

Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park - Mt Maunganui

If you really want to experience The Mount, then the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park is up there with the best. Located right at the base of The Mount, this popular holiday park has everything you could need. Just a few minutes’ walk from the cafes and bars of Mount Maunganui, you can choose your accommodation option. With locations on the main Mount Beach and Pilot Bay, you can camp or stay in one of the on-site cabins or caravans. This place is one of New Zealand’s most popular resorts and the location is second to none.

Baywatch Motor Inn - Mt Maunganui

If you are looking for something a bit more up market that’s not going to break the bank, the Baywatch Motor Inn is perfect. All the rooms are furnished to a high standard and the rooms all come with 50+ Sky TV channels to keep you entertained if you get tired of the amazing views, great beaches and beautiful walks! The highlight is the one bedroom spa suite which comes with its own luxury spa bath and sleeps up to four people. The motel enjoys a central location in The Mount, just minutes from the cars, cafes and restaurants and is a great place to base yourself for exploring the Bay of Plenty region.

Tuscany Villas - Whakatane

This was a top recommendation from GO Explorer Charlotte who stayed at the Tuscany Villas in Whakatane on a road trip from Auckland to Wellington. The Tuscany Villas are really quite stunning and with great dining, shopping and entertainment all within short walking distance, it’s a great place to base yourself for exploring the Bay of Plenty. There is an onsite Italian restaurant and wine bar which is pretty authentic and a ‘great feed’. With heaps of accommodation options, this is a really cool place to stay on your way up or down the east coast of the North Island.

Best places to eat out in the Bay of Plenty

Tauranga and Mount Maunganui and absolutely packed full of great places to eat out. Whether you are looking for a super-tasty breakfast or some fine dining, these two places have got you covered! Add to the mix the new restaurants opening up in the area, especially down on Papamoa and you are not going to be short on options when it comes to eating out in the Bay of Plenty. Let’s see where our GO Explorers recommend.

Best beaches in the Bay of Plenty

As you would imagine, there are some pretty awesome beaches down the east coast of the North Island as you head through the Bay of Plenty region – here are some of our favourites:

Rent the perfect car for your adventure

Recommended vehicle for exploring Mt Maunganui and Tauranga

TOYOTA CHR

3 year(s) old

Explore Mt Maunganui and Tauranga in style in the Toyota CHR featuring Bluetooth handsfree, 5-star ANCAP Safety RAting and steering mounted controls.

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