Attractions

In & Near Tauranga

Sun, sea, and surf rule here. But before you take to the water, take a look at Kiwi360 (tel. 07/573-6340; www.kiwi360.com), on the main Rotorua/Tauranga highway 5km (3 miles) south of Te Puke. It's definitely different, and if you want insight into this multimillion-dollar industry, this is the place -- and it's great for kids, too. There are daily tours every hour through orchards and theme parks (NZ$22 adults; NZ$10 children ages 5-15), a kiwifruit souvenir shop, and a restaurant. It's open daily 9am to 5pm, except December 25.

The mural town of Katikati is worth a brief stopover. Ask at the visitor center for the location of some of the town's many professionally painted street murals -- there are over 40. And take a dip in the thermal Sapphire Springs, 274 Hot Springs Rd. (tel. 07/549-0768; www.sapphiresprings.net.nz), set on 31 hectares (78 acres) of native bush. They're open daily 8am to 7pm.

In Tauranga, the Elms Mission House, Mission and Chapel streets (tel. 07/577-9772; www.theelms.org.nz), is one of the finest examples of colonial architecture of its time (1847). The house is open Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays from 2 to 4pm and costs NZ$5. If you're interested in more of the town's history, pick up the excellent brochure Historic Tauranga from the information center.

Garden enthusiasts can pick up the Garden Trail brochure at the visitor center. McLaren Falls Park, McLaren Falls Road, Tauranga (tel. 07/577-7000), is another lovely stop. It consists of 170 hectares (420 acres) of lake-land park set amid pastoral farming and horticulture, containing one of the best botanical tree collections in the North Island. If you have a license you can fish for trout, or simply enjoy the arboretum and numerous walking tracks.

If wine is your passion, go to Mills Reef Winery & Restaurant, Moffat Road, Bethlehem, Tauranga (tel. 0800/645-577 in NZ, or 07/576-8800; www.millsreef.co.nz); and while you're in the area, call in to Prenzel of Tauranga, 171 Moffat Rd. (tel. 07/579-2668; www.prenzel.com), distillers of delicious liqueurs, schnapps, flavored olive oils, and cooking products. They're open daily and offer free tastings.

Just south of Tauranga, two more stops are creating a buzz. Mossop's Honey, State Highway 29 (tel. 07/543-0971; www.mossopshoney.co.nz), has an interesting live bee display and myriad honey-based products and gifts. It's open daily from 9am to 5:30pm in summer and 9am to 5pm in winter. At the Comvita Visitor Centre, Wilson Road South, Paengaroa (tel. 0800/493-782 in NZ, or 07/533-1987; www.comvita.com), 9km (5 1/2 miles) south of Te Puke, you'll find a multi-award-winning heart of natural health and bee products, with over 100 honeys to sample. It's open from 8:30am to 5pm daily, except December 25 and 26, December 31, January 1 and 2. The manuka honey-flavored ice cream is my personal highlight.

The most spectacular of Tauranga's attractions is nearby White Island, New Zealand's only active marine volcano. Known as Whakaari to Maori, this active volcano sits 48km (29 miles) off the Bay of Plenty coast. It is privately owned and was declared a scenic reserve in 1953. Visitors cannot land on the island without permission and its spectacular sights are best seen via a guided tour.

Given its easy accessibility, White Island is something of a mecca for the world's volcanologists and scientists, who come to study its lava flows and explosive ash eruptions. Attempts to mine sulfur on the island in 1914 ended when a lahar killed 10 workers; and a major eruption here in 1981 to 1983 completely altered the island's landscape and destroyed an entire pohutukawa forest. Another eruption in 2000 covered the island in mud and scoria.

Despite its fiery reputation, though, White Island remains a highlight for many visitors. If you're considering a visit, rest assured that the island's volcanic activity is constantly monitored by surveillance cameras, seismographic equipment, and sensors within the crater walls. You won't be allowed on the island if there is even the slightest risk of increased activity. Fishermen might like to know that the waters around White Island are home to an abundance of fish -- everything from marlin to tuna. Fishing excursions operate out of both Whakatane and Tauranga.

Among the operators offering aerial excursions are Vulcan Helicopters (tel. 0800/804-354 in NZ, or 07/308-4188; www.vulcanheli.co.nz) and East Bay Flight Centre (tel. 07/308-8446; fax 07/308-8042). Both operate out of Whakatane and cost around NZ$400 per person. White Island Tours with PeeJay, 15 Strand St. E., Whakatane (tel. 0800/733-529 in NZ, or 07/308-9588; www.whiteisland.co.nz), will put you on a luxury launch and give you a 6-hour guided tour with lunch and safety gear included. This is an award-winning eco experience that you won't forget in a hurry. It costs NZ$180 per person and you need to be reasonably agile to negotiate the inflatable boat that takes you ashore from the main launch. There are no significant hills to climb on the island, but tracks can be uneven and you'll be on your feet for around 2 hours. No open-toed footwear or sandals are permitted, and it is not recommended for children 7 and under. Don't despair if you don't make it to White Island from here, as there are several Rotorua operators, which also offer great flights.

In Mount Maunganui

The town is named after the small mountain known to Maori as Mauao, which is a place of cultural and legendary significance to the local Maori tribes. The biggest attraction here has always been Ocean Beach, famed for its surf and great swimming. The Mount itself has a network of lovely walkways. The full 3.5km (2-mile) walk around the Mount takes about an hour. You can also climb to its 252m (827-ft.) summit, which takes about 2 hours. Pick up the free Walker's Guide to Mauao from the visitor center. The Mount is also home to New Zealand's first artificial surf reef, which is located just offshore on Marine Parade.

At the base of the Mount, on Adams Avenue, the Mount Hot Pools (tel. 07/575-0868; www.mounthotpools.co.nz), is a modern complex where you can soak away all your aches and pains in water warmed to 102°F (39°C); the active and children's pools are 90°F (32°C). Private pools and massage services are available. Hours are Monday through Saturday 6am to 10pm, and Sunday 8am to 10pm. Admission is NZ$14 for adults and NZ$8 for children ages 5 to 15. My advice is to wallow in a private pool (from NZ$12 per person for 30 min.) and then take a massage.