ACTIVITIES
See what The Bay of Plenty has on offer
Eighteenth Avenue is nestled perfectly in the quiet suburban reaches of Tauranga so that within a few minutes’ drive you can reach many of the attractions the city has on offer, whether it be the waterfront, scenic walks, or shopping centres.
Within a ten-minute drive from the motel you can reach Bay Park Stadium, Yatton Park, Citizens Club, QE II Park, Racecourse, Tauranga Golf Club, the Historic Village and even Mount Maunganui, famous for its walks and stunning views of the bay.
WINE AND DINE
Close to the Motel is the World’s End bar and restaurant which is a suburb location that offers a range of different food types, a great selection of drinks and a view of the waterfront. For food during the day, the Quantum Vis eatery offers a vast selection of café food and drink. Venturing further into the city you can expand your taste pallet with a selection of popular venues including Latitude 37 which offers a fine dining experience under the beautiful Mt Maunganui or if you are a craft beer fanatic you can’t miss Brew craft beer pub, located by the water offers a selection of local and NZ wide craft beers.
THE BAY EXPLORER
The Bay Explorer is one on Tauranga’s most sought-after activities (be sure to book in advance!) and offers a wide range of unforgettable experiences – the most popular being the ‘Best Day Ever’ cruise. The bay explorer is a refurbished passenger boat that features 360-degree views of the ocean from a viewing platform on the upper deck, dolphins frequent the boat along with other wildlife including seals, sunfish, birds, and fish (even the occasional shark and orca!). The bay explorer also offers a BBQ, bar, and kayaks or stand up paddle boards available on the deck – so you are never short of adventure (or a beverage). The ‘Best Day Ever’ cruise is a full day cruise where you can experience all that they bay explorer has to offer as well as commentary and banter from the crew.
WAIMARINO ADVENTURE PARK
Established in 1972 as “New Zealand’s premier adventure kayaking resort”, Waimarino offers New Zealand's only kayak slide, The Blob, kayaks, rock climbing, diving boards, Italian Pedallos and plenty more just a ten-minute drive from Tauranga city. The supreme pass is perfect for families looking for a day out and an experience they cannot forget, pack the car, some food, togs, and towel for a day that includes: water trampolines, kayaking, BBQ, slip and slide, Tarzan swing, canoes, and more! If getting out on the Kayaks is more your thing, Waimarino Kayak Tours offer a great range of kayak tours in Tauranga region including magical glow-worm experiences, fantastic scenery, and lake-edge thermal hot pools.
MT MAUNGANUI SUMMIT WALK
One of the most popular destinations in Tauranga is the breath taking Mt Maunganui and doing the hike to the summit is a rewarding experience that the whole family can enjoy, and most importantly, it’s free. Mt Maunganui (like many New Zealand Mountains) formed from and extinct volcanic cone and is considered very important and tapu (sacred) by the local Māori iwi who refer to the mountain as Mauao, which translates to "caught by the dawn". The summit of Mt Maunganui offers breath-taking 360 degree views of the beach, city, inner harbour and port, and Matakana Island. The walk is an hour and twenty minutes to the summit and a total of 3.80kms.
