Approximately
25 minutes from Tauranga along State Highway 2 towards Rotorua
is the town of Te Puke, the Kiwifruit capital of New Zealand.
As a center for the Kiwifruit industry (providing 80% of our
export product) the town has a definite fruity feel about it.
Also with a short drive of Te Puke is the east end of Papamoa
Beach.
Every year is the Kiwifruit festival that get the town into a social frenzy. Miss Kiwifruit contest is held crowing the winner of this beauty pageant to enter the "Miss New Zealand" pageant. There are stall and kiwifruit by-products of all varieties. The festival finishes with a dance party.
Just out of town further towards Rotorua is the famous iconic Big Kiwi and Kiwi360 tourist park. Kiwi360 has a fabulous souvenir shop stocking just about every kiwifruit based product imaginable from wine to earrings. The orchard tour is well worthwhile if you are keen to learn about the Kiwifruit industry how an orchard works.
In
the Heart of the Bay of Plenty's vast array of beaches is
Papamoa beach. About 15 minutes from Mount Maunganui
Papamoa beach is currently known to be one of the fastest
growing regions of New Zealand.
For those who are after a more relaxing time on a spacious beach Papamoa Beach is the place for you. In the immediate area you will find golf courses and quality fishing off the beach.
About
30 minutes From Tauranga City travelling on State Highway 2 in
the direction of Auckland is the quaint town of Katikati.
Nicknamed "Mural Town" , many of the main street's buildings
have giant paintings on them reflecting the pioneer days of old.
The Katikati Bird Gardens are a popular place to visit. A venue often used for weddings and school group visits, it is ideal for picnic. The birds come and go freely and the gardens well laid out.
A little before Katikati on the Tauranga side is Montana Estate Winery. Well known in New Zealand, the winery offers wine tasting and a chance top buy direct from the vineyard cellar