After that it's
straight into Katikati for a look at all the murals unique to this township.
Omokoroa is a great
beach to go swimming, horse riding or hire a small yacht for a sail around
the peaceful harbour inside Matakana Island.
Te Puna is next
on the road to Tauranga and is nestled in the heart of orchards and vineyards.
A great place to buy some fresh fruit and local wine bargains.
Welcome to Tauranga;
with its compact cosmopolitan city brimming with cool shopping and restaurants,
cafes and bars.
Tauranga
and Whakatane
Leave town via
the Tauranga Bridge for the major seaside resort town of Mt Maunganui. With
its grand Ocean Beach, big surf, and modern apartment-style living, it's easy
to see why Mt Maunganui is one of New Zealand's most popular seaside resorts.
Continue southeast
along Ocean Beach Road to Papamoa Beach. From the beach, turn right inland
to the township of Papamoa and join SH25 again.
From here the road
leads to Te Puke nestled in a rich rural belt. There are many activities you
can do in Te Puke, such as horseback riding, jet boating, skeet shooting,
fishing and shopping.
Next townships
are Pukehina and Ohinepanea, Matata and Thornton, which provide welcome stops
along the majestic Pacific Coast Highway as it meanders around the western
Bay of Plenty to Whakatane.
Whakatane is an
idyllic sea port famous for its big game fishing. But it is also a launching
point for some of the most breathtaking and fascinating boat, helicopter and
light plane charters to the active volcano, White Island.
It
is recommended that you have detailed road maps before departing on your trip
After that it's
straight into Katikati for a look at all the murals unique to this township.