The Coastal Bay of Plenty is one of those regions best explored slowly — where long beaches, harbour towns, hidden waterfalls, and long ocean views naturally shape the rhythm of the road. Stretching along the eastern coastline of New Zealand’s North Island, this region blends laid-back surf culture with vibrant local food, scenic walks, native bush, and unforgettable coastal drives.
Everything here feels close, and nothing feels rushed.
This stretch of coastline naturally lends itself to a road trip — from Tauranga’s harbourfront to the surf breaks of Mount Maunganui, along Pāpāmoa’s seemingly endless shoreline, and north to the laid-back charm of Waihī Beach.
Despite its compact size, the region packs a punch for campers. With a massive 73 free campsites and 39 paid campgrounds and holiday parks across the Coastal Bay of Plenty, it probably has more campgrounds per metre than any other region in New Zealand!
Whether you’re travelling by campervan, road-tripping for the weekend, or simply looking for a fresh way to experience the region, this Coastal Bay of Plenty itinerary is all about slowing down and following the coastline wherever it leads.
Jump to a Day
Day 1: Tauranga → Mount Maunganui → Pāpāmoa Coast
Day 2: Waterfalls, Forests & Inland Loop
Day 3: Waihī Beach & Northern Coastal Drive
Extra Day: Marine Life, Cycling & Hidden Bays
🌊 Day 1: Tauranga → Mount Maunganui → Pāpāmoa Coast
Beaches, harbour views & coastal café culture
Approx. 0–45 km driving | Tauranga → Mount Maunganui → Pāpāmoa
Ease into the Bay of Plenty in Tauranga, where harbour views and waterfront cafés set the tone for a slow coastal start. Morning coffee at is the perfect way to ease into the rhythm of the road
before heading straight toward the coast, with Torri Eatery being a popular breakfast and coffee spot with locals.
Mount Maunganui Main Beach
You will then naturally find your self pulled towards Mount Maunganui Main Beach, one of the most iconic stretches of sand in the country. This is where the Coastal Bay of Plenty lifestyle comes into its own — surfboards, salt air, and long walks along the shoreline. We highly recommend grabbing some fresh and chips from Bobby’s Fish Market to have while on the beach!
Normally, you'd also be heading up the Mauao Summit Walk - but with it currently closed due to a severe weather event - we have some other great walks in store for you!
The walks at Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park make for great alternatives to the Mauao
Pāpāmoa Hills Regional Park offers Pūraho Track, Karangaumu Track and the nearby Summerhills Tracks.These three great options offer sweeping views across the entire Bay, a reminder of how connected land and sea are here.
Spend the rest of the day at Pāpāmoa Beach, where 16 kilometres of wide, white sand stretches along a relaxed, open coastline. Roll out a towel, take a dip in the surf, or wander the shoreline as the pace naturally slows. It’s an easy place to settle into — and a perfect reminder of why this is called the Bay of Plenty.
Tasman Holiday Parks - Pāpāmoa Beach is one of the countries top Holiday Parks and makes an ideal base camp
Stay: Tasman Holiday Parks - Pāpāmoa Beach
🌿 Day 2: Waterfalls, Forests & Inland Loop
Hidden valleys, native bush & volcanic-fed landscapes
Approx. 90–140 km driving | Pāpāmoa Beach → McLaren Falls → Ōtanewainuku → Te Puke loop
Today the coast fades behind you as the road moves inland into a quieter, greener version of the Bay of Plenty - todat you will go chasing waterfalls!
Today is all about the hidden waterfalls of the bay!
Take the inland waterfall circuit through to McLaren Falls, Ōmanawa Falls, and then on to Kaiate Falls, where you’ll visit a series of hidden native bush pockets and cascades just beyond the city.
You can refuel at Omanawa Cafe
Want to go a little more off the beaten path? Ōtanewainuku Forest is where you can road trip inland and take in a peaceful stretch of native bush known for its kauri trees, birdlife, and quiet walking tracks like the Rimu Loop Walk, Otanewainuku Lookout Track or Whataroa Falls.
Ōtanewainuku Forest takes you right off the beaten path
No matter which option you chose, you’ll probably still have time for some late afternoon sightseeing.
You can visit the sculpture gardens and walking tracks at Te Puna Quarry Park, follow cycling routes through Kōpūrererua Valley, or having visited Ōtanewainuku Forest, head back via Te Puke, the kiwifruit capital of New Zealand, where orchards and rolling farmland define the landscape.
Te Puna Quarry Park
For those seeking something more active, the region also offers skydiving over Tauranga, helicopter flights across the coastline, river adventures, or guided tours through the inland valleys.
As evening arrives, the road naturally leads back toward the coast for dinner in Pāpāmoa at either Lantern or BLUEIYOU - whichever one you missed last night!
For something different, an optional glowworm kayak experience offers a quiet, immersive way to end the day on the water.
What better way to spend an evening than on a glowworm kayak tour?!
Stay: Tasman Holiday Parks - Pāpāmoa Beach
🌊 Day 3: Waihī Beach & Northern Coastal Drive
Surf towns, cliffs & open coastline
Approx. 120–160 km driving | Pāpāmoa → Waihī Beach → Katikati loop
The final day follows the coastline north, where the Bay of Plenty begins to open into long beaches, rural edges, and slower coastal towns.
Flatwhite - Waihi Beach, is an ideal place to start your morning
The morning begins with a drive to Waihī Beach, a wide, open stretch of sand where surf culture meets a laid-back coastal pace. Flatwhite Waihī Beach is the natural place to start for a morning pick-me-up, before moving along the peninsula to Bowentown and checking out the ANZAC Bay Walk and Bowentown Lookout.
After, head further North where the Orokawa Bay Track offers one of the region’s most striking coastal walks, moving through farmland and cliff edges before opening into a hidden bay that feels entirely removed from the main route.
Eat right on the beach at Surfshack
For lunch, try Beach Road Delhi or Surfshack at Waihi Beach.
It’s now time to meander back through Katikati, a town shaped by creativity, murals, and a strong sense of local identity. It’s a natural pause point rather than a destination — a place to slow down between stretches of coastline.
Dinner comes naturally at The Trading Post in Te Puna or at one of Katikati’s local cafés, depending on the direction of travel.
The afternoon is open and unstructured — surf at Waihī Beach, explore the mural trail in Katikati, or simply follow the coastal road as it winds back through the western bays.
🐬 Extra Day: Marine Life, Cycling & Hidden Bays
Ocean adventures & slow coastal exploration
A bonus day to experience the Bay from the water and its network of coastal cycleways.
Why not spend an extra day on a Dolphin encounter?
Morning experiences include dolphin encounters with Dolphin Seafaris, guided journeys with Bay Explorer or cultural experiences through Mana Māori Experiences.
The afternoon shifts between land and sea — cycling the Ōmokoroa to Tauranga route, exploring the Pāpāmoa Waterways Coastal Path, walking the Beach Road Loop, or heading back into the surf at Mount Maunganui Main Beach.
If you're in town for one more night, make sure you have dinner at Fife Lane. It's the perfect place to bring this coastal roadie to an end.
You Won't Feel Empty in Coastal Bay of Plenty
The Bay of Plenty earned its name for a reason — its abundance of kai (food) has shaped this region, and culture for generations. From fresh seafood and orchard-grown produce to locally roasted coffee and artisan flavours, there’s no shortage of good food here. Whether it’s fish and chips on the beach, a long lunch at a local eatery, or fresh seasonal produce straight from the source, eating well comes naturally in the Bay.
Check out these top Food and Beverage stops in the region
Whether you eat in or takeaway, The Bay has you covered!
The Coastal Bay of Plenty Experience: Sun, Salt & Slow Roads
The Bay of Plenty isn’t a checklist — it’s a coastline you move through.
Each day flows naturally from harbour to surf beach, from inland waterfalls back to open ocean, and from busy coastal towns into quiet stretches of road where the landscape takes over.
You don’t rush the Coastal Bay of Plenty.
You just follow it.
And it’s calling.
