The Bay of Plenty is New Zealand's summer playground with the many wonderful surf beaches in the area. Mount Maunganui and Papamoa offer great long stretches of white sandy beach. The Mount is the place to be over the Christmas period, especially if you are young and after a good time.
Mount Maunganui might be most popular; there are many more beaches not far from Tauranga and some of them are a well kept secret. Maketu and Pukehina Beach are magnificent. Further down the cost, you'll find Raglan and Waihi Beach.
 |
|
Known as the gateway to both the Coromandel Peninsula and the Bay of Plenty, Waihi Beach boasts spectacular scenery, numerous outdoor activities and a variety of fine restaurants and cafs. The beach itself offers nine kilometres of sweeping white sand and it is one of the safest surf beaches in New Zealand.
The development of Waihi township dates back to the gold mining days of the 1800's. This once so important industry is anything but forgotten in Waihi. Gold and silver mining still play a major rol in Waihi's economy but dairy farming and horticulture are now mainstays too.
|
